C5 documentary looking back at classic festive epsiodes

Sir David Jason is returning to screens to share memories of Only Fools And Horses in a new Christmas special.

His interview for a Channel 5 documentary about the classic sitcom will be his first major TV appearance since his hip replacement earlier this year.

The programme, Only Fools and Horses: Greatest Christmas Moments also features an interview with  Tessa Peake-Jones, who played Del Boy’s wife  Raquel, and Jim Sullivan – son of the comedy’s creator John, who helped revived the characters for the recent stage musical.

Sir David. 83, had to cancel an appearance at an Only Fools fan convention earlier this year when he had a ‘bionic hip’ fitted.

Speaking to Lorraine Kelly last month about his recovery from August’s operation, he said: ‘ I am fine. I'm having a little trouble getting the muscles back because I was so infirm for two to three weeks as it were. I wasn't using the legs at all, that's where I am at now, getting it back, doing some exercises. But the hip itself is wonderful.’

The Channel 5 film promises stories such as the special that ran into expensive overtime because Sir David kept corpsing, how a shower cap inspired one of the show's most iconic moments,  and how one Christmas special contained the most expensive joke in the BBC's history.

The 90-minute show, to air in Christmas week, also features talking head contributions from celebrity fans such as John Sergeant, Theo Paphitis, Sherrie Hewson and Krishnan Guru Murthy.

Published: 8 Dec 2023