Sir David Jason reveals tense offscreen row with co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst left Only Fools And Horses producers on edge: ‘The entire crew was taken aback’

Sir David Jason says Only Fools And Horses producers were left ‘quaking in their boots’ after co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst claimed he could no longer work with him. 

The British actor played street-savvy market trader Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter alongside Lyndhurst as his slow-witted younger brother Rodney for 22-years before the legendary sitcom aired its final episode in 2003. 

And Sir David, 83, has since given loyal fans an insight into life on set by revealing an offscreen row with close friend Lyndhurst, 62, staged to pass the time as they whiled away the hours between takes. 

He told The Mirror: ‘One day, Nick and I were in our very small caravan on location. We were all fed up because nothing was happening so Nick and I said “Why don’t we stage a huge row and you can storm out and say you’re leaving and I can shout at you saying don’t you ever come back again?”

‘The whole crew went stiff. Five minutes went by and the producer and director came to see me and they were quaking in their boots. 

Sir David Jason says Only Fools And Horses producers were left ‘quaking in their boots’ after co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst claimed he could no longer work with him

The British actor played street-savvy market trader Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter alongside Lyndhurst as his slow-witted younger brother Rodney for 22-years (pictured with Buster Merryfield)

‘They asked what’s going on and I told them to go see Nick. When they got to him, I couldn’t contain myself any longer and roared with laughter.’ 

He added: ‘They went from white to purple in their faces. I don’t think the producer was much impressed.’

Sir David recently admitted he would love to see the sitcom return to screens and said he would take on the role of Derek Trotter once again.

But despite his enthusiasm, he admitted a reboot would be unlikely after the main writer of the hit TV series, John Sullivan, tragically passed away in 2011.

He told The Sun: ‘Well, to be honest with you, we would like that to happen very much because not only did we enjoy it so much, but so did most of the British public. Because of that, we would love to do it.

‘I don’t think we could do another episode of Only Fools And Horses because the brains behind it, Mr. John Sullivan, is unfortunately no longer with us.’

Beloved actor Roger Lloyd Pack, who played Trigger, also sadly passed away in January 2014, while John Challis who played Boycie, died in September 2021.

It comes after Sir David sent fans wild when he attended a recent Only Fools And Horses convention following a recent hip surgery.

Sir David has since given loyal fans an insight into life on set by revealing an offscreen row with close friend Lyndhurst, staged to pass the time as they whiled away the hours between takes

The actor recently admitted he would love to see the sitcom return to screens and said he would take on the role of Derek Trotter once again 

The convention had been scheduled to take place in October last year but was postponed so the actor could have what he described as a ‘bionic body part fitted’. 

He joked he didn’t want to specify exactly what surgery he was heading for as it might make his fans ‘all want one’.

Confirming its postponement in a social media message at the time, he wrote : ‘I am so very sorry for the disappointment and all the inconvenience it may cause but we are having to change the date of the forthcoming Only Fools and Horses Convention.

‘Unfortunately, I have just been advised I need a new bionic body part fitted. I won’t tell you which part it is, or you will all want one!

‘And don’t worry it’s not being supplied by Monkey Harris, it’ll be the pukka gear.’

He: ‘I really hope everyone will be able to make the new date January 13th and 14th. We can all have something cushty to look forward to! 

‘These events are such an enjoyable celebration for myself and the rest of the ‘Only Fools’ cast, and it is such a privilege to meet so many of you, but I want to do it with the smile on my face I always have had.’

Sir David signed off his statement: ‘Once again, please accept my sincere apologies as it was not a decision I took at all lightly and I hope that you understand my situation. All cushty wishes until then.’