David Jason felt sad watching Only Fools and Horses footage

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 16:30 · Archive

Sir David Jason, 86, felt sad watching lost Only Fools and Horses footage while filming a new U+Gold series called Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive. He watched the clips alongside former castmates including Tessa Peake-Jones, who played his wife Raquel.

Ms Peake-Jones recalled what Jason told her about the experience. He said, 'I just look at myself then in my prime as the best I could possibly be,' noting that he had been 'more famous than anyone in Britain on telly' when in his forties and fifties. She explained: 'I knew what he meant when he said he felt sad because this is us looking back on what we were, particularly for him because he was at his absolute peak. You're not ever going to be what you were then.'

Despite the nostalgia, Ms Peake-Jones described Jason as 'very vibrant' with 'a lot of energy' and 'doing things all the time'. She said watching the old footage was 'very poignant and quite sobering' for him.

Ms Peake-Jones reflected on the sitcom's lasting appeal, crediting its warmth and kindness. She noted that while Del Boy's character was known for his scams, 'at the end of the day he'd do anything for anyone'. She contrasted this with modern comedy, saying that 'looking at comedy these days, bar the odd brilliant one like Ghosts, some of them are quite cruel'.

She also credited the show's creator John, saying he 'really cared about family and he cared about what people shared watching on telly'.

How it is being reported

• Sir David Jason was left 'very sad' after watching Only Fools and Horses footageSir David Jason felt “very sad” watching lost Only Fools and Horses footage, as Tessa Peake-Jones recalls Del Boy’s heyday.Croydon Guardian · 22 Oct, 15:43
• Sir David Jason was left 'very sad' after watching Only Fools and Horses footageSir David Jason felt “very sad” watching lost Only Fools and Horses footage, as Tessa Peake-Jones recalls Del Boy’s heyday.News Shopper · 22 Oct, 15:43
• Sir David Jason was left 'very sad' after watching Only Fools and Horses footageSir David Jason felt “very sad” watching lost Only Fools and Horses footage, as Tessa Peake-Jones recalls Del Boy’s heyday.Wandsworth Guardian · 22 Oct, 15:43

In this story: David Jason · Tessa Peake-Jones · U+Gold · Only Fools and Horses

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem