Sir David Jason was overcome with emotion during a recent reunion with his Only Fools and Horses co-stars, according to actress Tessa Peake-Jones. The gathering was filmed for a special documentary marking the legendary sitcom's 45th anniversary, set to air later this year.
The Poignant Reunion and Lost Scenes
The reunion, which will feature in the upcoming UKTV series Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive, saw Jason, 85, reunite with cast members including Gwyneth Strong, Sue Holderness, and Tessa Peake-Jones. The special was sparked by the discovery of a treasure trove of never-before-seen footage found in a drawer at the BBC.
Peake-Jones, who played Raquel Turner, described the experience of watching the old clips as "very odd." She revealed on ITV's Lorraine that David Jason's reaction was particularly heartfelt. "David Jason was very, very poignant about it all," she told stand-in host Christine Lampard.
A 'Depressing' Observation from Del Boy
The actress shared the specific moment that triggered a melancholic response from the show's iconic star. "There was one bit he watched and he said 'Oh we were so young and successful back then,' so it was quite depressing," Peake-Jones recalled. She added that she understood his sentiment, noting that seeing themselves from decades ago was a "peculiar" experience.
The uncovered material includes 66 unseen clips and scenes that were filmed but never broadcast, plus nearly 100 assets from rushes and location filming. According to Peake-Jones, much of it was originally cut simply because it wasn't deemed funny enough for the final edit. "Some of it was quite long scenes that were sad or moving," she explained.
A Celebration of a National Treasure
The two-part documentary series promises to deliver a nostalgic treat for fans of the show, which first aired in 1981 and ran for seven series until 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003. Sir David Jason himself commented on the enduring appeal of the programme, stating: "The love for Only Fools has never faded. It's incredible to see how many people still hold it close to their hearts."
Series producer Sean Doherty emphasised the scale of the find, saying: "We've truly been spoilt for choice." Helen Nightingale, UKTV's head of factual entertainment, labelled the sitcom "part of the national DNA," celebrating its unique blend of humour and heart.
Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive is scheduled to air on UKTV's GOLD channel in 2026, offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of Britain's most beloved television classics.
