David Jason shares Del Boy’s unexpected Cockney accent inspiration.

Sir David Jason has revealed the surprising inspiration behind Del Boy’s iconic cockney accent in Only Fools And Horses.

The actor, 85, said he landed the part of Del Boy because he would mimic his former boss’ cockney accent while they both played Billiards Games.

While he was playing Granville in the BBC sitcom Open All Hours, he and the show’s assistant Ray Butt would spend their time away from filming playing billiards together.

Jason said he found Ray’s east end accent so funny that he would imitate it during their games.

And when Only Fools And Horses director John Sullivan was struggling to find someone to play Derek Trotter, he was told of Jason’s hilarious cockney impressions and invited him to try out the iconic part.

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Speaking on Gyles Brandreth’s Rosebud podcast, Jason said: ‘When we were doing Open All Hours I used to play billiards with Ray Butt, who was the First Assistant.

‘I used to take the mickey out of Ray Butt because he was a really “Right EastEnder”, which always fascinated me because I thought, “How could he become a director because his accent was always like ‘you know what I mean?'”

‘He spoke like that all the time. It intrigued me. I used to take the mickey out of it.’

Ray had gone on to become a producer/director for Only Fools And Horses which was being put together and cast when he confided in the director of Open All Hours that he was struggling for his main Del Boy character.

Jason continued: ‘When he was casting for Derek Trotter, the director of Open All Hours said to him “What are you looking for?”

‘He said “I’m looking for this character who’s a Londoner – an east London sort of character we’re having a bit of a problem finding”.

‘He said “Well have you interviewed David Jason? Don’t you remember he used to take the mickey out of you?”‘

Jason said the Open All Hours director reminded Butt how David’s impressions of him were ‘so successful we all used to fall about because you two were like Mutt and Jeff’.

Jason said: ‘And Ray Butt went “Oh yes, you’re right, I hadn’t thought of that, I’ll ask him to come in and read with me and John Sullivan”, which he did. And the rest is history.’

Jason played Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter over seven series and ten years as Only Fools became one of the most loved comedies in British TV history.

It comes after the opening night of the Only Fools And Horses: The Musical was forced to a halt last month after a ‘medical emergency’.

Theatergoers at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool were evacuated during the interval and the second act of the show was postponed after a member of the audience fell ill, with paramedics called to the scene.

Only Fools And Horses: The Musical, featuring Paul Whitehouse as Grandad, is currently touring the UK following a four-year sold-out run-in London’s West End. 

The Winter Gardens issued a statement about the incident as they revealed all those affected would be able to transfer their tickets to another night or request a refund. 

Attendees were quick to praise the theatre – which hosted the musical until May 3 – for the staff’s quick reaction and calm response to the incident. 

A statement from The Winter Gardens read: ‘During last night’s performance of Only Fools and Horses The Musical, a medical emergency involving a member of the audience occurred during the interval in the front stalls area of the auditorium. 

‘Due to the nature of the incident and in accordance with venue protocols, the decision was taken to evacuate the theatre and postpone the remainder of the show.

‘All affected ticket holders will receive an email today with full details on how to transfer their tickets to another performance this week, or how to request a refund if they are unable to attend an alternative date.

‘We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our staff, the visiting company, and the emergency services for their swift and professional response.

‘Our thoughts and well wishes are with the individual involved and their family at this time.

‘We thank everyone for their patience and understanding during these exceptional circumstances.’