Cast members of Only Fools and Horses have described their delight at seeing lost archive footage from the beloved sitcom, discovered in a drawer at the BBC, as the programme marks its 45th anniversary. Watching the clips that ended up on the cutting room floor, they admitted it was hard to recall what had actually been in the original episodes, having filmed them so many decades ago.
Stars reflect on emotional reunion with old scenes
Sue Holderness, who played Marlene, wife of Del's dodgy pal Boycie (John Challis), said watching the scenes back had felt "strangely emotional". "When David Jason and I sat down to watch the clips together, it felt like yesterday and that no time had passed," she explained. "It's been nearly five years since John Challis died, but it feels like yesterday. It was quite a strange sensation watching this footage."
She said the findings would thrill diehard fans, many of whom know every line of the 64 episodes that aired on the BBC. "They are going to be overwhelmed with joy, it's very good, funny material."
Lost moments from The Jolly Boys Outing
Several clips come from The Jolly Boys Outing, shown in 1989, in which the regulars from the Nag's Head took a trip to Margate. It ended badly when a dodgy car stereo – sold by Del Boy – caught fire and blew up the coach. One cut scene shows Sue, 77, as Marlene in the market before the men depart, with Del referring to her brother Kenny, who she'd forgotten she ever had. Other trimmed moments show the boys kicking a football around and Del trying to work out why the radio is smouldering.
"Fans do coach tours down to Margate where it was filmed, I've been on some of them," Sue laughed. "I'm blessed to have been in that episode, I'd have been sad if I'd been cut."
She said part of the fun of watching the lost archive was remembering how lucky they were to have landed the roles. Her character joined the line-up in 1984, becoming the first female regular, ahead of Tessa Peake-Jones as Raquel and Gwyneth Strong as Cassandra. Initially never seen, Marlene had quite a reputation among the boys of Peckham until writer John Sullivan decided to bring her back.
Favourite scenes and serious storylines
Sue's favourite scene of all time is the first she ever did. "It had to establish Del Boy and Marlene had a flirty, saucy relationship," she recalls. "He pinched her bottom and she kissed him – David and I had only just met! It was the best fun, we giggled and I was in and out in about two hours."
One of the new clips, from 10 key episodes, deals with the sadness surrounding Cassandra's devastating miscarriage. Sue says Sullivan was skilled at mixing comedy with pathos. "He wasn't afraid to tackle serious subjects such as Boycie and Marlene's infertility, Cassandra's miscarriage and Grandad's death. It really broke your heart, but also in there are some of the funniest moments. He could make you laugh and cry like no other writer."
The clips have been gathered for a two-part documentary, including one showing Del Boy explaining how he avoided a charge following the famous scene where he rips open a policewoman's blouse after mistaking her for a strippogram. Sir David Jason says Del got let off because the desk sergeant found it so funny. "The great talent of John Sullivan, he knew he must explain certain things, but what was lost was the truth of the scene," Sir David sighs, adding: "When you're pushed against time, something has to give."
Another cut scene is one of Albert's tall tales about his naval exploits. "That's a nice little scene, it's a shame that one got cut," Sir David, 86, says. "It's a nice piece of characterisation of him and his war effort."
Gwyneth Strong, 66, said she had no idea what had stayed in or out of the episodes. "Even at the time, I don't think you remember what's kept in the final cut and what's not," she admitted. "I never really watch myself back, most actors don't. And when we were making it you'd do one episode then start rehearsing the next one, so there wasn't time to be forensic about it."
She said watching back the scenes with Tessa, 69, a close friend now, had been a joy. "It felt very special and fun watching the footage with Tessa, it was really enjoyable. And it reminded me why people love the show, it was like rediscovering it in a way."
Gwyneth initially joined for one episode, only being invited back once Sullivan saw how well Cassandra worked alongside Rodney. She found darker plots, such as Cassandra losing her baby, easier to film than the funny stuff. "I wouldn't have been nervous about that kind of storyline, as it took me back to straight acting and the theatre, which was my background," she explained. "I'd be far more nervous around the sitcom aspect, filming in front of a live audience."
Being in the show was the biggest thing that happened to her acting career. "It changed my life, without a doubt. I didn't see it coming!" she laughs. "My son was about five months old, it was my first job back after he was born. My first one went out on a Sunday night, the next day I literally got the buggy down the steps outside my flat and people were shouting at me because they recognised me as Cassandra - it's kind of never stopped."
She's certainly not complaining. "I feel very lucky I got to be part of the team. Now and again you just hit gold with being right for something."
Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive airs on U&Gold on 20th and 27th October.
