Sir David Jason, the iconic Only Fools and Horses actor known for his role as Del Boy Trotter, has opened up about his current ties with Nicholas Lyndhurst. Despite the close-knit relationship they shared filming the beloved sitcom, it appears the duo have seen a change in dynamics over time.
Reflecting on their rapport with the Mirror last year, Sir David, now 84 years old, remarked: “He’s much more, how can I say, self-contained, perhaps, than he used to be.”
He also touched upon their less frequent interactions stating: “So, unfortunately, we don’t see each other as much as I’d like to. But that’s how things work out sometimes.”
However, reminiscing about the past glories on the set of the Peckham-set comedy, Sir David expressed with nostalgia: “I miss it terribly. It wasn’t like going to work. It was going to have some fun with your mates. We loved each other.”
Back during the sitcom’s golden era spanning from 1981 to 2003, Sir David fondly called Nicholas Lyndhurst “a pair of silly Buddhas”, shedding light on their affectionate behind-the-scenes bond, the Express has reported, reports Coventry Live.
The comedic synergy between Sir David and his co-star, whom he often nicknamed ‘Nick’, was palpable, which even translated into mischievous pranks. They notably rigged chairs and toilet doors with bangers, which gave an unexpected bang when production assistant Tony Dow unsuspectingly moved the chairs.
Overcome with emotion, Tony struggled to regain his composure as Sir David and Nicholas couldn’t contain their laughter, that is until a cleaner, bustling in to mop the gents’, was met with the surprise of her life.
In a heartbreaking turn of events four years prior, Nicholas, then aged 63, endured the profound agony of losing his son Archie, who tragically passed away at his West London residence. It was later established that he died from a brain haemorrhage during his sleep.
Subsequent medical investigations, intensified by a second post-mortem close to Christmas 2020 just two months after Archie’s sudden passing attributed his death to an intracerebral haemorrhage caused by acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, a condition notably rare.
Amidst those sorrowful days, Nicholas and his spouse issued a poignant declaration: “Lucy and I are utterly grief stricken and respectfully request privacy.”
Taking to social media in November 2020, Lucy confided her deep sadness: “It is with the heaviest heart that I write this post. Nine weeks ago our dearest boy Archie was taken from us way too early.”
With remarkable resilience, she continued: “We still have no answer as to what happened but wait patiently for the report to be written up in the next [ten] weeks. The pain of our loss is beyond anything we have ever felt before, and wouldn’t wish upon anyone.”
Concluding her heartfelt statement, she said: “Archie was and remains our absolute world. He was the beautiful extraordinary human being we have ever known. To have him as our son has been nothing but an utter joy and honour.”