Denise van Outen, the former Big Breakfast host, has revealed her dream to appear in a remake of the classic British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. The 49-year-old actress and presenter, who grew up in the East End of London, says the beloved show is ripe for a return with an updated cast.
Dream Role in a Classic Sitcom
Speaking to the Daily Star on behalf of Sky Vegas, van Outen said: "If it was going to be a classic one, it would have to be Only Fools and Horses because my family are from the East End of London. My dad still says, to this day, that it’s his favourite sitcom. If there was ever a remake of it, I would love to do that because I just think it’s the best sitcom."
Van Outen, who has a natural cockney accent, believes she would make a decent Cassandra (Rodney's girlfriend) or even a female Del Boy. The show originally aired from 1981 to 2003 and starred David Jason as Del Boy, Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney, and Lennard Pearce as Grandad.
Missed Opportunity on Race Across the World
Van Outen also revealed her biggest regret: missing out on appearing on Celebrity Race Across the World. She was invited to take part just before the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 but had to decline. "I was meant to do it, and then the world went into lockdown, so I couldn’t do it. I would revisit the idea of doing it again. I think it’s a brilliant show, and I’d love to do it. It would be great fun," she said.
Secret to Longevity in Showbiz
It has been 25 years since van Outen left the Big Breakfast, and she has rarely been off screens since. Asked about her secret to longevity in showbiz, she said: "I think a lot of it, in the industry that I’m in, is drive and passion. I’ve always loved what I do. I’ve always been grateful for all the opportunities that I get, and I just really love it. It’s lovely to have a job where sometimes you go to work, and you don’t feel like you’ve been at work because it’s just fun."
