Fans of the iconic British sitcom Only Fools and Horses are in for a treat, as the BBC prepares to air a new celebration of the show featuring a treasure trove of material thought lost forever. The centrepiece of the new series is an incredible 66 unseen clips, digitally restored from original film negatives.
A Sitcom Legend Revisited
Widely considered one of Britain's greatest ever television comedies, Only Fools and Horses achieved record-breaking ratings during its original run. Its popularity remains undimmed decades later. The 1996 Christmas special, 'Time on Our Hands', which temporarily made the Trotters millionaires, still holds the record for a sitcom audience, having been watched by 24.3 million viewers on its broadcast day.
The show was briefly revived after the Millennium for three final Christmas specials in 2001, 2002, and 2003, which saw Del Boy and Rodney lose their fortune. By this point, several beloved cast members, including Buster Merryfield who played Uncle Albert, had passed away.
The Rediscovered Goldmine
The newly announced programme will showcase material that was "filmed but never broadcast," sourced from 16mm film negatives that have been digitally scanned and restored. This process means the cast will appear in high definition for the very first time.
The recovered scenes include new material from classic episodes such as 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle', 'Mother Nature's Son', and the historic finale 'Time On Our Hands'. Perhaps most intriguing for devotees is an unseen opening scene from the episode 'The Class Of '62', featuring Del and Rodney in a nightclub.
Cast Reflections and Enduring Love
Sir David Jason, now 85, who played the legendary Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter, expressed his delight at the discovery. "The love for Only Fools has never faded," he said. "It's incredible to see how many people still hold it close to their hearts. Revisiting these rediscovered moments reminded me just how special the show was - and still is."
Jason will be joined in the new show by co-stars Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel), Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra), and Sue Holderness (Marlene). Series producer and director Sean Doherty revealed the archive had uncovered nearly 100 additional assets from rushes and location filming alongside the 66 clips. "We've truly been spoilt for choice," he stated.
This extraordinary find offers a fresh glimpse into the making of a national treasure, proving that even after the Trotters' final deal, the magic of Only Fools and Horses continues to deliver surprises.
