Sir David Jason has revealed he found his iconic portrayal of Del Boy Trotter “troublesome” and feared it could have damaged his future acting prospects.
The 84-year-old actor made the candid admission in his memoir, This Time Next Year, reflecting on his experience playing the beloved wheeler-dealer in Only Fools and Horses.
Despite the show catapulting him to stardom after its launch in 1981, Jason struggled with the overwhelming recognition that came with the role.
The veteran performer, who starred alongside Nicholas Lyndhurst in the hit sitcom, has opened up about his complex relationship with the character that defined his career.
While grateful for the show’s worldwide success, Jason admits he grappled with concerns about being perpetually associated with the cockney market trader.
In his memoir, Jason details how differently the cast handled their newfound fame, with some embracing it more readily than others.
“Lennard (Pearce) had no problem with people spotting him, and seemed to love every aspect of it. Buster (Merryfield), too, greeted the whole thing like a glorious treat,” he writes.
David Jason made an admission about his iconic Only Fools and Horses character
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However, both Jason and his co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst found the constant attention more challenging.
“I’ll admit I found it quite troublesome at times, and I would say that Nick (Lyndhurst) did, too,” Jason reveals in his book.
The actor describes feeling as though Del Boy had become his constant companion.
“After a while, I developed the feeling that I couldn’t go anywhere without Derek Trotter coming along too, and although that was fine up to a point, it also seemed to sound a few alarm bells about the future.”
Jason expressed concern that his memorable portrayal of Del Boy may have limited his access to more serious acting roles.
David Jason is best-known for his iconic role as Del Boy TrotterGettyWhile careful not to appear ungrateful, the actor revealed his worries about being typecast.
“I almost felt as though I should be explaining to people in advance that me and Del weren’t the same person – that I don’t actually talk like him or walk like him,” he writes in his memoir.
The actor found himself concerned about disappointing fans when he wasn’t in character.
“Otherwise, you felt you were letting people down by turning up not dressed like Del, and not continually spouting Del-like lines,” Jason admits.
The role’s impact was so significant that Jason felt he had lived in Del Boy’s “shadow” for four decades.
During an appearance on This Morning in October, Jason elaborated on his complex feelings about the role.
Speaking to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, he carefully chose his words: “I was going to say cursed but it is not a curse, it is not.”
He explained that the character’s success had cast a long-lasting shadow over his career.
“This shadow of this character that I played for 40 years ago now, excuse me. But it is always there,” he told the hosts.
Jason reflected on how the public constantly associates him with the character.
“Everywhere I go I am introduced as David Jason… It is a cross I have to bear but a lovely one because I mean I am amazed at the influence it has had, but mainly the entertainment it has brought.”
Despite his concerns about typecasting, Jason went on to secure several other significant roles throughout his career.
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Sir David Jason opened up about his time as Del Boy
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He starred as Detective Inspector Jack Frost in ITV’s A Touch of Frost from 1992 to 2010.
The actor also made his mark in other beloved British series, playing Granville in Open All Hours from 1976 to 1985.
He later returned to the role in Still Open All Hours, which ran from 2013 to 2019.
Jason also charmed audiences as Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds of May from 1991 to 1993.
These successful roles demonstrated that, despite his fears, his portrayal of Del Boy did not ultimately prevent him from exploring diverse characters.
His career has spanned multiple decades and genres, proving his versatility as an actor beyond the streets of Peckham.