Sir David Jason: Fans reassess Del Boy star as lost-archive doc promises new insight
A two-part documentary revisits the actor’s career and private life, featuring unseen footage and interviews with co-stars.
Sir David Jason, 85, has long been a touchstone of British television, famed for Del Boy Trotter in Only Fools and Horses and Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost. A forthcoming two-part documentary, Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive, aims to expand the conversation around the actor by revisiting his career while exploring the private side of a public figure who has often been seen only in character.
Online discussions have highlighted a gulf between public perception and private life. On Digital Spy's forum, one user said the actor is 'surprisingly rude,' while others pushed back, arguing Jason is shy and reserved and not given to grand public displays. A poster noted that Jason can seem aloof in public but is 'lovely' in private, and a frequent theme among fans is that the star prefers privacy despite decades in the spotlight.
Reddit and other fan recollections add texture to the picture. A user described meeting Jason during a stay at a Weston-super-Mare guesthouse run by a family friend, recalling that, after some playful pressure, the actor at first declined but eventually transformed into a live iteration of Del Boy for about 20 minutes, much to the amusement of those present. The anecdotes emphasize a common thread in accounts of Jason: he can be private and restrained off screen, but audiences remember his on-screen energy vividly.
The Lost Archive is pitched as a deep dive into the world that produced Only Fools and Horses, offering new interviews with core cast and crew and a journey through long-lost moments. Alongside Sir David, the series will feature Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel), Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra) and Sue Holderness (Marlene), with supporting players Steven Woodcock (Jevon) and Denis Lill (Alan Parry) contributing reflections and context. Creators and contemporaries will help fans understand how John Sullivan’s legacy shaped the beloved comedy, including tributes that acknowledge the writer’s passing in 2011. The program is described as a blend of nostalgia, archival clips, and fresh conversations aimed at both longtime fans and a new generation curious about the show's enduring appeal.
Produced for U&Gold, the two-part documentary is slated to air in 2026, timing that aligns with renewed interest in the classic series and its cultural footprint. Producers say viewers will encounter unseen clips and behind-the-scenes material that illuminate how the Del Boy character was crafted and how the ensemble’s chemistry contributed to the show’s lasting resonance. The project also seeks to place the drama and humor of the era in a broader context, acknowledging the creator’s contribution and the craft of British television writing and performance that propelled the series into the national consciousness.
As fans prepare for a retrospective that foregrounds both performance and personality, the project underscores how a single screen persona—Del Boy—can coexist with a highly private real-life figure who remains a subject of curiosity long after television’s spotlight has moved on. The Lost Archive invites viewers to revisit familiar scenes with fresh eyes, while offering new stories about the people who helped shape one of Britain’s most iconic sitcoms.
