Veteran actor Sir David Jason, 84, has been a beloved star of the screen for decades and is best known for his role as the iconic Derek “Del Boy” Trotter on BBC’s Only Fools and Horses.
However, the actor hasn’t played the classic character since 2003, when the series aired its final episode in the form of a Christmas special.
Jason admitted that while Del Boy is “with me all the time,” he does have one slight regret about the role, which he has become synonymous with since the show debuted in 1981.
Speaking this week, he explained: “That Derek Trotter thing, he’s a bit of a ghost that comes along behind me like A Christmas Carol.”
BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay, who was interviewing the beloved actor on Tuesday, replied: “That’s interesting that you’re calling Del Boy a bit of a ghost in your life. Do you feel you’re a bit haunted by him?”
“Haunted is perhaps too… no,” Jason responded, continuing: “He’s with me all the time, whether you call it haunted or not.
David Jason shared the ‘upset’ he faces over his Only Fools and Horses role
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“I do say he’s on my back all the time because wherever I go people recognise me as the character and you always get people who say, ‘lovely jubbly! ‘ and all of that.”
Detailing the impact of taking on such a legendary role, he added: “Which only hangs me back, only upsets me slightly because that seems to be the only thing that people remember me for.
“I’m delighted in one way that it’s reached so many people and they’ve enjoyed what I’ve done with the character, but I’ve done so many other things that everybody seems to have forgotten about. It’s like I’ve only ever played Derek Trotter.”
Making a rare admission about how he felt he’s missed out on a dream, he continued: “My real disappointment or regret, if you like, is I always wanted to be a National Theatre player.
David Jason starred as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses from 1981 to 2003
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“I always wanted to be on the stage of the national theatre. It was just that romantic image of playing those big productions with all those big, wonderful actors. That never happened.”
It’s not the first time Jason has spoken negatively about his Only Fools role, having told The Star earlier this year: “Del Boy is a character that I can’t avoid.
“He’s become so ingrained in the public’s mind that where I got, I tend to be recognised and then what happens is that people can’t help but interfere with your private life.”
However, he concluded: “It’s part of the job. It’s part of giving your time and your life to the Great British public, God bless them.”
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David Jason is best-known for his beloved role in the BBC comedy
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The extent of the public’s love for the series is so strong rumours still occasionally spiral about a reboot or revival.
Addressing this recently, Jason confessed he would have doubts about revisiting the BBC programme, putting and end to fans’ desperate hopes for more episodes.
Speaking earlier this year to Radio Times, he shared: “I’ve had offers over the years, but without John Sullivan [show creator who died in 2011] it just wouldn’t work.
“He was a magician and could whip up humour out of virtually nothing – that was his genius. Without him, I don’t see it working, sadly.”