Unseen Only Fools And Horses footage to get an airing
David Jason says clips 'reminded me just how special the show was'
Unseen footage from Only Fools And Horses is to air in a U&Gold documentary next year.
Stars including David Jason will look over some of the never-before-seen footage in the two-part series, Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive.
Sir David said: ‘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. It’s incredible to be able to share them now.’
Outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage from a handful of episodes – including The Jolly Boys’ Outing – have been digitally scanned and restored from original 16mm negatives.
Other actors interviewed include Tessa Peake-Jones, who played Raquel, Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra), Sue Holderness (Marlene Boyce), Steven Woodcock (Jevon) and Denis Lill (Alan Parry).
The Jolly Boys’ Outing was originally broadcast on Christmas Day 1989 and attracted 20.1 million viewers, who followed Del Boy, Rodney and the gang on a chaotic trip to Margate.
Images of lost scenes released today include Boycie (John Challis) and Mike (Kenneth MacDonald) joking about Rodney still being head over heels ‘in lust’ a year after getting married and Del Boy (Sir David) taking the microphone at the front of the coach.
Further discoveries which didn’t make it into the original episodes include scenes from He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Uncle, Mother Nature’s Son, Time On Our Hands, and an unseen opening scene of Del and Rodney in a nightclub from Class Of ’62 previously thought to be lost forever.
Another revelation are Bee Gees star Barry Gibb’s repeated retakes, which cost production hours as Del Boy and Rodney were sent up and down the river to capture the right shot in Miami Twice.
The show was commissioned for UKTV by Helen Nightingale, who said: ‘Only Fools And Horses is part of the national DNA. With its humour, heart and unforgettable characters, it’s British comedy at its very best. This series is a celebration of its legacy and a chance to share new discoveries with the fans who’ve loved it for decades.’
Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment, Commissioning and ordered by Gerald Casey, Director of Programming, Comedy and Entertainment, and Hilary Rosen, Director of Commissioning. Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive is co-produced by North One and Shazam, with Sean Doherty as Series Producer and Director, and John Quinn and Amy Sullivan as Executive Producers. It will air on U&GOLD in 2026.
Helen Nightingale, UKTV’s Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment, Commissioning, said: "Only Fools and Horses is part of the national DNA. With its humour, heart and unforgettable characters, it’s British comedy at its very best. This series is a celebration of its legacy and a chance to share new discoveries with the fans who’ve loved it for decades."
Sean Doherty, director and series producer, said: ‘Few shows have the kind of enduring popularity that Only Fools enjoys. The archive has uncovered some extraordinary material - 66 unseen clips and scenes so far that were filmed but never broadcast because they didn’t fit the timing or structure of the original episodes, plus nearly 100 assets from rushes and location filming. We’ve truly been spoilt for choice.’
Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive will air next year, to mark the 45th anniversary of the original sitcom.
Here's a trailer:
Published: 16 Dec 2025
