Actress Tessa Peake-Jones has voiced a pointed critique of much contemporary comedy, describing it as 'cruel' and contrasting it with the enduring appeal of the classic BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, which she credits for possessing genuine 'heart'. The 68-year-old actress, renowned for her role as Raquel, the wife of Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter, portrayed the character from 1988 to 1993 and again from 2001 to 2003.
Enduring Legacy of a Classic Sitcom
In a candid interview with the i newspaper, Peake-Jones revealed that the show continues to attract new generations of fans. 'We still all get letters from teenagers just discovering it. It's amazing that people are still watching,' she remarked. She attributes this lasting popularity directly to the writing of the late John Sullivan. 'But I think that it endures because John's writing has got so much heart. Some of the comedy today seems to be having a go at other people. It can be quite cruel in a way that I don't find funny personally,' she explained, highlighting a perceived shift in comedic tone.
Personal Reflections and Life After Divorce
The interview also delved into Peake-Jones's personal life, specifically her experience of becoming single later in life following her divorce from actor Douglas Hodge in 2013 after 29 years of marriage. The former couple are parents to two children, Mollie and Charlie. She reflected on the societal fear of solitude and her own journey towards appreciating independence. 'In your older years, you also really come to appreciate having some time on your own, for your own thinking and also to just not have to bother about anyone else, not have to compromise,' she shared, offering insight into her perspective on ageing and self-sufficiency.
Behind the Scenes: Nerves and Dedication
Ahead of the show's 45th anniversary, Peake-Jones also provided a glimpse behind the laughter, admitting that filming was often a nerve-wracking experience far removed from the hilarity viewers saw on screen. She recalled gruelling rehearsals and the intense pressure of performing live before a studio audience. 'Usually [the actors have] seen it all in rehearsals so many times, it's not that funny anymore anyway,' she confessed.
She revealed that even comedy legends like Sir David Jason (Del Boy) and Nicholas Lyndhurst (Rodney) were not immune to pre-show anxiety. 'If people had seen us backstage before the show, they'd have seen people pacing up and down the corridors with nerves, including David and Nick,' she told The Sun. 'We cared so much, and we wanted to get it right, but one slip-up of a word could ruin that laugh.' This underscores the immense dedication and pressure involved in creating the iconic comedy.
New Documentary and Continued Celebration
Peake-Jones is set to reunite with former co-stars for a new two-part documentary titled Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive, which will feature fresh interviews and previously unseen clips. Sir David Jason, 86, has also expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, 'The love for Only Fools has never faded. 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.'
The cultural impact of Only Fools and Horses was further cemented by Only Fools And Horses: The Musical, which enjoyed a successful four-year run in London's West End after opening in February 2019. Co-written by Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan, son of creator John Sullivan, the musical fulfilled a long-held dream and was warmly received by fans, critics, and the original cast alike.
