Sir David Jason has admitted that some of his most famous moments as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses are no longer possible due to his health. The 86-year-old actor made the confession during a BBC Radio Leeds appearance with presenter Gayle Lofthouse.
When asked how the classic scene where Del Boy falls through a bar had impacted his body over time, Sir David said: "You're absolutely right, I couldn't do it nowadays! But I'm not going to tell you that!"
Health battles over the years
In 2023, Sir David was forced to postpone an Only Fools and Horses fan convention due to surgery. He announced the delay with his trademark humour: "I am so very sorry for the disappointment and all the inconvenience it may cause, but we are having to change the date of the forthcoming Only Fools and Horses Convention."
He added: "Unfortunately, I have just been advised I need a new bionic body part fitted. I won't tell you which part it is, or you will all want one! And don't worry, it's not being supplied by Monkey Harris, it'll be the pukka gear."
After the operation, he shared a video on social media showing him walking with crutches before discarding them and shadow boxing to the Rocky theme.
Recovery and COVID struggle
Speaking to Lorraine, Sir David said: "I'm having a little trouble getting the muscles back because I was so infirm for two or three weeks, as it were. I wasn't using the legs at all, so that's where I'm at now." He reassured fans: "I'm getting it back. I'm doing some exercises and working on it, but the hip itself is wonderful."
Sir David also contracted COVID in 2023, which he described as "seriously bad." On BBC Breakfast, he recounted collapsing from muscle weakness and crawling on all fours.
He revealed: "I crawled towards the bed... I used the bed as support in my attempts to rise and move where I needed to go, including getting back into bed, but I couldn't. I struggled for approximately fifteen minutes, trying various techniques to stand up and walk around."
