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Only Fools and Horses: The best bits
  • Del Boy’s bum-pinching antics wouldn’t wash today, according to Only Fools and Horses actress
  • "We haven't got a writer."

  • Del Boy’s bum-pinching antics wouldn’t wash today, according to Only Fools and Horses actress
  • Only Fools and Horses star closes down revival rumours
  • Only Fools and Horses actor Nicholas Lyndhurst rules out new episodes of classic BBC sitcom
  • The actor says he he will not reprise his role as Rodney.

  • The comedy star has said Only Fools And Horses provides a comfort from political chaos.

  • The 15 best pratfalls, from Only Fools and Horses to Friends
  • Only Fools and Horses London locations: Where was the TV series filmed in the capital?
  • Only Fools and Horses London locations: Where was the TV series filmed in the capital?
  • Only Fools and Horses London locations: Where was the TV series filmed in the capital?
  • Only Fools and Horses London locations: Where was the TV series filmed in the capital?
  • David Jason calls for 'Only Fools and Horses' tower block in line for demolition to be listed
  • David Jason calls for 'Only Fools and Horses' tower block in line for demolition to be listed
  • Only Fools And Horses and Doctor Who also made the list.

  • Only Fools and Horses dining experience accused of copyright by musical producers
  • 'Only Fools And Horses' is to be made into a new West End stage show, opening
  • 'Only Fools And Horses' is to be made into a new West End stage show, opening
  • A musical version of Only Fools And Horses has been created to honour the "delicate legacy" of writer John Sullivan, with songs from the late Chas Hodges.
  • The original cast of Only Fools and Horses (PA Images).
  • Former Only Fools And Horses star Sue Holderness says political correctness has gone too far - and viewers now would want to lock up Del Boy. Holderness, 69, played Marlene, Boycie's flirtatious wife, in the famous 1980s sitcom, starring Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. She told the Press Association: "The very first episode, Del gave me a big hug, kissed me fondly and pinched my arse and nobody took any offence at it, except Boycie who looked daggers. "And every time we met that would happen. It's quite fun." But Holderness, who is reuniting with Sir David in the new series of BBC1 sitcom Still Open All Hours, said: "I feel sorry for men now because I don't know how you cope. "I don't think you would get away with Del Boy pinching Marlene's bottom without everybody saying, 'He's a pervert and that shouldn't be allowed and he should be locked-up'." David Jason as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses Credit: BBC She said men "don't know how to behave" now because "almost anything can be deemed inappropriate". "A wolf whistle isn't supposed to be allowed now, which I think is such a pity. It has gone too far. "I'm sure it will swing back and eventually we'll be able to flirt away again, but at the moment I don't think it's possible." But she added: "I'm absolutely with the MeToo movement. Of course women should be paid as much as men. I'm praying that there will be more parts written for women, which is happening. "I was paid much, much less than John Challis (Boycie) on Only Fools And Horses, and when we got to (spin-off) The Green Green Grass, the BBC did the decent thing and we got parity." Holderness, 69, said working with Sir David again, for the first time since 2001, felt "like putting on some old slippers" as she appears in the popular sitcom set in convenience store Arkwright's. "It's like coming home. It's been the most wonderful job," she said. The 100 greatest British TV shows of all time She will appear in three episodes as a woman who is "very disappointed in love and has been very badly let down by her Italian husband, who I suspect is not her first husband", she said. "It's clear that she is not planning to be single for very long." She said of Only Fools And Horses: "There have been people saying you could never make Only Fools And Horses now, that it was racist. It wasn't remotely racist. Del and Rodney and all that community, there wasn't a racist ounce in their body." Series five of Still Open All Hours returns on Sunday October 7 at 8.30pm on BBC One.
  • Former Only Fools And Horses star Sue Holderness says political correctness has gone too far - and viewers now would want to lock up Del Boy. Holderness, 69, played Marlene, Boycie's flirtatious wife, in the famous 1980s sitcom, starring Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. She told the Press Association: "The very first episode, Del gave me a big hug, kissed me fondly and pinched my arse and nobody took any offence at it, except Boycie who looked daggers. "And every time we met that would happen. It's quite fun." But Holderness, who is reuniting with Sir David in the new series of BBC1 sitcom Still Open All Hours, said: "I feel sorry for men now because I don't know how you cope. "I don't think you would get away with Del Boy pinching Marlene's bottom without everybody saying, 'He's a pervert and that shouldn't be allowed and he should be locked-up'." David Jason as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses Credit: BBC She said men "don't know how to behave" now because "almost anything can be deemed inappropriate". "A wolf whistle isn't supposed to be allowed now, which I think is such a pity. It has gone too far. "I'm sure it will swing back and eventually we'll be able to flirt away again, but at the moment I don't think it's possible." But she added: "I'm absolutely with the MeToo movement. Of course women should be paid as much as men. I'm praying that there will be more parts written for women, which is happening. "I was paid much, much less than John Challis (Boycie) on Only Fools And Horses, and when we got to (spin-off) The Green Green Grass, the BBC did the decent thing and we got parity." Holderness, 69, said working with Sir David again, for the first time since 2001, felt "like putting on some old slippers" as she appears in the popular sitcom set in convenience store Arkwright's. "It's like coming home. It's been the most wonderful job," she said. The 100 greatest British TV shows of all time She will appear in three episodes as a woman who is "very disappointed in love and has been very badly let down by her Italian husband, who I suspect is not her first husband", she said. "It's clear that she is not planning to be single for very long." She said of Only Fools And Horses: "There have been people saying you could never make Only Fools And Horses now, that it was racist. It wasn't remotely racist. Del and Rodney and all that community, there wasn't a racist ounce in their body." Series five of Still Open All Hours returns on Sunday October 7 at 8.30pm on BBC One.
  • 'Only Fools And Horses' star Sue Holderness has said she doesn't believe the
  • Only Fools and Horses couldn't be made now says star
  • 'Only Fools And Horses' star Sue Holderness has said she doesn't believe the
  • Del Boy and Rodney are getting lyrical.

  • Every festive season brings another sack load of Christmas specials (circling them off in the TV guide is still one of the season’s great joys, of course). But when it comes to comedy, Christmas specials still long to capture the hearts and minds of turkey-stuffed viewers as Only Fools & Horses did across 18 specials between 1981 and 2003. Fourteen years later, it’s still the benchmark – the show that will be forever associated with the Christmas special – and its peak in 1996, pulled in a cushty 24 million viewers. But – from diamond smuggling and doppelgangers to Batman and blown-up coaches – which is the greatest Only Fools & Horses Christmas special? Here’s the definitive ranking of all 18. Lovely jubbly indeed. 18. If They Could See Us Now (2001) If They Could See Us Now (2001) Credit: PA Which One Is This? The Trotters lose their fortune and end up back in Nelson Mandela House. You Plonker! Five years after Del and Rodney walked off into the sunset as millionaires, they make an ill-advised comeback with this episode – spoiling their perfect happy ending. Bonne De Douche! It’s more a series of sketches than an actual story: the Trotters attend the wrong funeral after Uncle Albert dies; Del Boy goes on a game show; Rodney and Cassandra do fantasy role play as a gladiator and policewoman. 42-Carat Moment? Del Boy – bankrupt and disqualified from running a business – cons eternal dipstick Rodney into taking over Trotters Independent Traders. A flash of the old Del Boy magic. 17. Strangers on the Shore (2002) Which One Is This? Del Boy and Rodders attend a naval reunion in France on behalf of Albert but accidentally smuggle back a foreigner they call “Gary”. Chateauneuf Du Pape! This second comeback episode is slightly better. But not by much – and Gary is bordering on racist. You Plonker! Del’s teenage son Damien is beyond cringe-worthy. If you ever wondered what a 55-year-old white man thinks gangster rap is, see it here in John Sullivan’s writing. 42-Carat Moment? There are a lot of bearded men in the French town where Albert was stationed during the war. It looks like he was up to more than just being torpedoed. 16. Sleepless In Peckham (2003) Which One Is This? Del Boy has just a few days to pay off the Inland Revenue or they lose the flat. Meanwhile, Cassandra is ready to give birth and letters from a mystery solicitor pile up. Bonjour! This was the Trotters’ final goodbye, and they go out tugging the heartstrings as hard as they can. He Who Dares! Rodney discovers his real father was in fact “Freddy the Frog”. It’s a twist that pays off, if you can excuse the crafty continuity tinkering. 42-Carat Moment? Albert leaves them £200,000 in his will and Rodney becomes a father – tear-jerking moments, even if you don’t count these comebacks as “proper” Fools & Horses. Best comedy Christmas specials 15. A Royal Flush (1986) Which One Is This? Rodney meets “posh sort” Vicky, who turns out to be a Duke’s daughter. But Del’s interfering spoils it for Rodders. Shut Up You Tart! This is Del at his absolute worst. Crass and overbearing, he invites himself to the Duke’s stately home and tramples all over Rodney’s love life. It’s painfully uncomfortable. Bunch Of Wallies! Production ran out of time to film this in front of an audience – and it was still being edited on Christmas Eve. A shorter version was released in 2004, with added laughter track and edited-down Del Boy. 42-Carat Moment? Del turns up to a clay pigeon shoot with a pump-action shotgun. 14. Miami Twice (1991) Which One Is This? The brothers go to Florida and the mafia tries to assassinate Del Boy. Chateauneuf du Pape! This two-parter is the obligatory “characters go on holiday” Christmas special and begins an era of more far-fetched stories. Lovely Jubbly! There are some great gags. Del reveals that he’s tricked Rodney into going on holiday so he can escape a load of Romanian Riesling he’s bought by mistake. 42-Carat Moment? Del and Rodney see Barry Gibb doing a spot of gardening in Miami, prompting Del to sing “How Deep Is You Love?” at top volume. 13. Christmas Crackers (1981) Which One Is This? Granddad ruins the turkey and Del and Rodney go clubbing on Christmas night. Bonne De Douche! John Sullivan said this script was hastily written for the sake of doing a special for the first series. But there’s a nostalgic charm to these very early episodes. Lovely Jubbly! The banter between the original trio is pukka, even this early on, before the show had found its rhythm. “Slightly underdone?” says Rodney about Granddad’s cooking. “I reckon the kiss of life would revive that turkey.” 42-Carat Moment? They realise Granddad has cooked the turkey with the giblets-in-plastic still inside. 12. Diamonds Are For Heather (1982) Diamonds Are For Heather (1982) Which One Is This? Del gets a taste of family life when he meets Heather and her three-year-old son. Mais Oui! The greatest myth about Derek Trotter is that he’s a one-note, catchphrase-spouting character. But this melancholy episode reveals an emotional depth. Bonjour! Heather leaves after turning down Del’s marriage proposal. Del Boy has always wanted a family but has spent his entire adult life looking after his dipstick brother Rodney. 42-Carat Moment? A heartbroken Del slips some Christmas carolers a fiver to sing his favourite song about a dead dog – Old Shep by Elvis. 11. Rodney Come Home (1990) Which One Is This? Rodney and Cassandra’s marriage is on the rocks so Rodders is back living with Del Boy. Au Revoir! Raquel moves into the flat to become a permanent cast member. But she’s in the spare room until Del can pluck up the courage to ask her in his bed. Bonne De Douche! Not much happens here (it feels like Fools & Horses was booked in for Christmas Day without any solid story ideas). But it says a lot about Del’s – and to some extent, the show’s – archaic attitudes about men and women. 42-Carat Moment: Albert tries to feign shock over Rodney taking another girl to the pictures, but keeps getting it wrong. One of the series’ best jokes and David Jason almost cracks up.  10. Modern Men (1996) Which One Is This? Rodney and Cassandra are expecting a baby, and Del – inspired by a book about what it means to be a modern man – announces that he’s having a vasectomy. You Plonker!A sub-plot about Del Boy wanting to create a turban/crash helmet for motorcycle-riding Sikhs has aged very badly. A Fait Acopian! It’s the weakest episode of the original farewell trilogy but delivers Fools & Horses’ most tragic moment when Cassandra miscarries. 42-Carat Moment? Del gives Rodney a man-to-man chat about how he has to be strong and not cry in front of Cassandra – hardly modern men, then – but bursts into tears himself. 9. To Hull And Back (1985) Which One Is This? The Trotters go to Amsterdam to do a bit of diamond smuggling for Boycie. You Plonker! Jim Broadbent is fun as recurring villain DCI Slater. A crafty, conniving bent copper, he’s the anti-Del (appropriate as Broadbent was original choice for Del Boy). Cushty! It’s feature-length and the first episode filmed without an audience, so feels different – but is still very much classic Fools & Horses. 42-Carat Moment? Trigger on the pull at the very start of the episode. “Alright darling, where you been all my life? I always use that line… I don’t know why, it’s never worked.” 8. Time On Our Hands (1996) Which One Is This? Raquel’s estranged parents come to dinner, and Del unearths an old watch that might be worth a few quid. This Time Next Year! The Trotters finally become millionaires. It’s genuinely feel-good plus there’s some enjoyable nostalgic wallowing in the show’s own history. Bonjour! Del, Rodney, and Albert walk off into the sunset. If only they hadn’t walked back again five years later. 42-Carat Moment? There’s a touching scene earlier in the show, as Del forces Rodney to face up to losing his baby. “It’s just a dropped stitch in life’s tapestry, that’s what mum used to say,” Del says. 7. The Frog’s Legacy (1987) Which One Is This? Del learns about Freddy The Frog, a gentleman thief who left their dear old mum £1 million in gold. What a shame nobody knows where it’s hidden. Lovely Jubbly! This get-rich-quick tale is perhaps the archetypal Fools & Horses episode, but its real strength is how it adds layers to the show’s mythos – the Trotter family history, background characters, and the original idea that Freddy might be Rodders’ real father. Cushty! This was also the basis of the surprisingly decent prequel Rock ‘n’ Chips. 42-Carat Moment? Albert pretending to have chronic backache, then tap dancing in the market after a blast from Del’s dodgy infrared back massagers. 6. Fatal Extraction (1993) Which One Is This? Raquel leaves Del and there are riots on the estate. He Who Dares! Though relatively late in the series’ run, this is classic, wheeling-dealing stuff from Del Boy. He asks out the first woman he meets after Raquel walks out just to prove he can still pull, starts a riot with his drunken singing, and then sells the rioters some hooky ski gear. Bonne De Douche! There’s a great Fatal Attraction pastiche when Del thinks his would-be date has started stalking him. 42-Carat Moment? Del Boy is horrified when he comes home to find something boiling on the stove – not a bunny, but Albert’s old pants. 5. Heroes & Villains (1996) Which One Is This? Del Boy is refused a council grant, but he’s eyeing up first prize at a fancy dress party. Chateauneuf Du Pape! It’s been three years since the last episode and the production values have gone up. Someone’s even spent a monkey (or thereabouts) on a futuristic dream sequence. Lovely Jubbly! But it still feels like Fools & Horses, something the later comeback episodes failed to do. 42-Carat Moment? Del and Rodney dash through the streets dressed as Batman and Robin, and chase of a gang of muggers. An instantly-classic scene. 4. Thicker Than Water (1983) Thicker Than Water (1983) Which One Is This? Reg Trotter comes back after abandoning them 18 years earlier – and he has a devious plan to oust Del Boy from the family. He Who Dares! It was a risk bringing the Trotters’ father into the show, but it works. Peter Woodthorpe is perfectly cast as Del Boy’s old man. Cushty! But it’s David Jason who makes this episode. Much more than just a comedy performance, his intensity when he confronts Reg after all these years creates real drama. 42-Carat Moment? In the final scene, Del Boy tucks a wad of notes into Reg’s pocket before throwing him out for good. A touching character detail. 3. Mother Nature’s Son (1992) Which One Is This? The Trotters get into the health food boom with the Peckham Spring. Except it’s not from a spring, it’s from the tap in Del Boy’s kitchen. Bonne De Douche! Following Miami Twice, it’s another silly plot, but an example of how astutely Fools & Horses reacted to what was happening culturally in Britain. You Plonker! There’s a great scene with Del’s old stock/junk: men’s wigs, Bros LPs, royal wedding plates, Romanian Riesling, and Free Nelson Mandela t-shirts. 42-Carat Moment? Del Boy’s first ever time in an organic health food shop. “It’s nice to know everything on your plate was once under a pile of horse s**t”. 2. The Jolly Boys Outing (1989) Which One Is This? The Nag’s Head lot go on a beano to Margate, but their coach blows up thanks to Del’s faulty car radio. Lovely Jubbly! This is Fools & Horses at its most fun. It’s big laugh after big laugh, from Rodney and Cassandra hosting a dinner party for her yuppie boss (wannabe yuppie Del vs actual yuppie is pure gold) to the jolly boys’ tour of Margate. Au Revoir! It’s also the episode where Del meets Raquel again, now working as a magician’s assistant in a Margate nightclub. Del punches the magician, naturally. 42-Carat Moment? Inspired by Del’s machismo, Rodney goes home and punches Cassandra’s boss. 1. Dates (1988) Which One Is This? Del Boy meets Raquel – but he’s humiliated when she turns out be the stripper he booked for Albert’s birthday. Cushty! Not just the best Christmas special, but the best Fools & Horses ever. You Plonker! Del meets Raquel through a dating agency. Derek’s specifications – “She’s got to be a bit of a sort” – are hilarious, but there’s an underlying sense that he’s getting older. Pulling birds isn’t as easy as it used to be. 42-Carat Moment? Del Boy misses out on his chance to rekindle his romance with Raquel when he’s unexpectedly arrested over another police/stripper mix up.
  • Every festive season brings another sack load of Christmas specials (circling them off in the TV guide is still one of the season’s great joys, of course). But when it comes to comedy, Christmas specials still long to capture the hearts and minds of turkey-stuffed viewers as Only Fools & Horses did across 18 specials between 1981 and 2003. Fourteen years later, it’s still the benchmark – the show that will be forever associated with the Christmas special – and its peak in 1996, pulled in a cushty 24 million viewers. But – from diamond smuggling and doppelgangers to Batman and blown-up coaches – which is the greatest Only Fools & Horses Christmas special? Here’s the definitive ranking of all 18. Lovely jubbly indeed. 18. If They Could See Us Now (2001) If They Could See Us Now (2001) Credit: PA Which One Is This? The Trotters lose their fortune and end up back in Nelson Mandela House. You Plonker! Five years after Del and Rodney walked off into the sunset as millionaires, they make an ill-advised comeback with this episode – spoiling their perfect happy ending. Bonne De Douche! It’s more a series of sketches than an actual story: the Trotters attend the wrong funeral after Uncle Albert dies; Del Boy goes on a game show; Rodney and Cassandra do fantasy role play as a gladiator and policewoman. 42-Carat Moment? Del Boy – bankrupt and disqualified from running a business – cons eternal dipstick Rodney into taking over Trotters Independent Traders. A flash of the old Del Boy magic. 17. Strangers on the Shore (2002) Which One Is This? Del Boy and Rodders attend a naval reunion in France on behalf of Albert but accidentally smuggle back a foreigner they call “Gary”. Chateauneuf Du Pape! This second comeback episode is slightly better. But not by much – and Gary is bordering on racist. You Plonker! Del’s teenage son Damien is beyond cringe-worthy. If you ever wondered what a 55-year-old white man thinks gangster rap is, see it here in John Sullivan’s writing. 42-Carat Moment? There are a lot of bearded men in the French town where Albert was stationed during the war. It looks like he was up to more than just being torpedoed. 16. Sleepless In Peckham (2003) Which One Is This? Del Boy has just a few days to pay off the Inland Revenue or they lose the flat. Meanwhile, Cassandra is ready to give birth and letters from a mystery solicitor pile up. Bonjour! This was the Trotters’ final goodbye, and they go out tugging the heartstrings as hard as they can. He Who Dares! Rodney discovers his real father was in fact “Freddy the Frog”. It’s a twist that pays off, if you can excuse the crafty continuity tinkering. 42-Carat Moment? Albert leaves them £200,000 in his will and Rodney becomes a father – tear-jerking moments, even if you don’t count these comebacks as “proper” Fools & Horses. Best comedy Christmas specials 15. A Royal Flush (1986) Which One Is This? Rodney meets “posh sort” Vicky, who turns out to be a Duke’s daughter. But Del’s interfering spoils it for Rodders. Shut Up You Tart! This is Del at his absolute worst. Crass and overbearing, he invites himself to the Duke’s stately home and tramples all over Rodney’s love life. It’s painfully uncomfortable. Bunch Of Wallies! Production ran out of time to film this in front of an audience – and it was still being edited on Christmas Eve. A shorter version was released in 2004, with added laughter track and edited-down Del Boy. 42-Carat Moment? Del turns up to a clay pigeon shoot with a pump-action shotgun. 14. Miami Twice (1991) Which One Is This? The brothers go to Florida and the mafia tries to assassinate Del Boy. Chateauneuf du Pape! This two-parter is the obligatory “characters go on holiday” Christmas special and begins an era of more far-fetched stories. Lovely Jubbly! There are some great gags. Del reveals that he’s tricked Rodney into going on holiday so he can escape a load of Romanian Riesling he’s bought by mistake. 42-Carat Moment? Del and Rodney see Barry Gibb doing a spot of gardening in Miami, prompting Del to sing “How Deep Is You Love?” at top volume. 13. Christmas Crackers (1981) Which One Is This? Granddad ruins the turkey and Del and Rodney go clubbing on Christmas night. Bonne De Douche! John Sullivan said this script was hastily written for the sake of doing a special for the first series. But there’s a nostalgic charm to these very early episodes. Lovely Jubbly! The banter between the original trio is pukka, even this early on, before the show had found its rhythm. “Slightly underdone?” says Rodney about Granddad’s cooking. “I reckon the kiss of life would revive that turkey.” 42-Carat Moment? They realise Granddad has cooked the turkey with the giblets-in-plastic still inside. 12. Diamonds Are For Heather (1982) Diamonds Are For Heather (1982) Which One Is This? Del gets a taste of family life when he meets Heather and her three-year-old son. Mais Oui! The greatest myth about Derek Trotter is that he’s a one-note, catchphrase-spouting character. But this melancholy episode reveals an emotional depth. Bonjour! Heather leaves after turning down Del’s marriage proposal. Del Boy has always wanted a family but has spent his entire adult life looking after his dipstick brother Rodney. 42-Carat Moment? A heartbroken Del slips some Christmas carolers a fiver to sing his favourite song about a dead dog – Old Shep by Elvis. 11. Rodney Come Home (1990) Which One Is This? Rodney and Cassandra’s marriage is on the rocks so Rodders is back living with Del Boy. Au Revoir! Raquel moves into the flat to become a permanent cast member. But she’s in the spare room until Del can pluck up the courage to ask her in his bed. Bonne De Douche! Not much happens here (it feels like Fools & Horses was booked in for Christmas Day without any solid story ideas). But it says a lot about Del’s – and to some extent, the show’s – archaic attitudes about men and women. 42-Carat Moment: Albert tries to feign shock over Rodney taking another girl to the pictures, but keeps getting it wrong. One of the series’ best jokes and David Jason almost cracks up.  10. Modern Men (1996) Which One Is This? Rodney and Cassandra are expecting a baby, and Del – inspired by a book about what it means to be a modern man – announces that he’s having a vasectomy. You Plonker!A sub-plot about Del Boy wanting to create a turban/crash helmet for motorcycle-riding Sikhs has aged very badly. A Fait Acopian! It’s the weakest episode of the original farewell trilogy but delivers Fools & Horses’ most tragic moment when Cassandra miscarries. 42-Carat Moment? Del gives Rodney a man-to-man chat about how he has to be strong and not cry in front of Cassandra – hardly modern men, then – but bursts into tears himself. 9. To Hull And Back (1985) Which One Is This? The Trotters go to Amsterdam to do a bit of diamond smuggling for Boycie. You Plonker! Jim Broadbent is fun as recurring villain DCI Slater. A crafty, conniving bent copper, he’s the anti-Del (appropriate as Broadbent was original choice for Del Boy). Cushty! It’s feature-length and the first episode filmed without an audience, so feels different – but is still very much classic Fools & Horses. 42-Carat Moment? Trigger on the pull at the very start of the episode. “Alright darling, where you been all my life? I always use that line… I don’t know why, it’s never worked.” 8. Time On Our Hands (1996) Which One Is This? Raquel’s estranged parents come to dinner, and Del unearths an old watch that might be worth a few quid. This Time Next Year! The Trotters finally become millionaires. It’s genuinely feel-good plus there’s some enjoyable nostalgic wallowing in the show’s own history. Bonjour! Del, Rodney, and Albert walk off into the sunset. If only they hadn’t walked back again five years later. 42-Carat Moment? There’s a touching scene earlier in the show, as Del forces Rodney to face up to losing his baby. “It’s just a dropped stitch in life’s tapestry, that’s what mum used to say,” Del says. 7. The Frog’s Legacy (1987) Which One Is This? Del learns about Freddy The Frog, a gentleman thief who left their dear old mum £1 million in gold. What a shame nobody knows where it’s hidden. Lovely Jubbly! This get-rich-quick tale is perhaps the archetypal Fools & Horses episode, but its real strength is how it adds layers to the show’s mythos – the Trotter family history, background characters, and the original idea that Freddy might be Rodders’ real father. Cushty! This was also the basis of the surprisingly decent prequel Rock ‘n’ Chips. 42-Carat Moment? Albert pretending to have chronic backache, then tap dancing in the market after a blast from Del’s dodgy infrared back massagers. 6. Fatal Extraction (1993) Which One Is This? Raquel leaves Del and there are riots on the estate. He Who Dares! Though relatively late in the series’ run, this is classic, wheeling-dealing stuff from Del Boy. He asks out the first woman he meets after Raquel walks out just to prove he can still pull, starts a riot with his drunken singing, and then sells the rioters some hooky ski gear. Bonne De Douche! There’s a great Fatal Attraction pastiche when Del thinks his would-be date has started stalking him. 42-Carat Moment? Del Boy is horrified when he comes home to find something boiling on the stove – not a bunny, but Albert’s old pants. 5. Heroes & Villains (1996) Which One Is This? Del Boy is refused a council grant, but he’s eyeing up first prize at a fancy dress party. Chateauneuf Du Pape! It’s been three years since the last episode and the production values have gone up. Someone’s even spent a monkey (or thereabouts) on a futuristic dream sequence. Lovely Jubbly! But it still feels like Fools & Horses, something the later comeback episodes failed to do. 42-Carat Moment? Del and Rodney dash through the streets dressed as Batman and Robin, and chase of a gang of muggers. An instantly-classic scene. 4. Thicker Than Water (1983) Thicker Than Water (1983) Which One Is This? Reg Trotter comes back after abandoning them 18 years earlier – and he has a devious plan to oust Del Boy from the family. He Who Dares! It was a risk bringing the Trotters’ father into the show, but it works. Peter Woodthorpe is perfectly cast as Del Boy’s old man. Cushty! But it’s David Jason who makes this episode. Much more than just a comedy performance, his intensity when he confronts Reg after all these years creates real drama. 42-Carat Moment? In the final scene, Del Boy tucks a wad of notes into Reg’s pocket before throwing him out for good. A touching character detail. 3. Mother Nature’s Son (1992) Which One Is This? The Trotters get into the health food boom with the Peckham Spring. Except it’s not from a spring, it’s from the tap in Del Boy’s kitchen. Bonne De Douche! Following Miami Twice, it’s another silly plot, but an example of how astutely Fools & Horses reacted to what was happening culturally in Britain. You Plonker! There’s a great scene with Del’s old stock/junk: men’s wigs, Bros LPs, royal wedding plates, Romanian Riesling, and Free Nelson Mandela t-shirts. 42-Carat Moment? Del Boy’s first ever time in an organic health food shop. “It’s nice to know everything on your plate was once under a pile of horse s**t”. 2. The Jolly Boys Outing (1989) Which One Is This? The Nag’s Head lot go on a beano to Margate, but their coach blows up thanks to Del’s faulty car radio. Lovely Jubbly! This is Fools & Horses at its most fun. It’s big laugh after big laugh, from Rodney and Cassandra hosting a dinner party for her yuppie boss (wannabe yuppie Del vs actual yuppie is pure gold) to the jolly boys’ tour of Margate. Au Revoir! It’s also the episode where Del meets Raquel again, now working as a magician’s assistant in a Margate nightclub. Del punches the magician, naturally. 42-Carat Moment? Inspired by Del’s machismo, Rodney goes home and punches Cassandra’s boss. 1. Dates (1988) Which One Is This? Del Boy meets Raquel – but he’s humiliated when she turns out be the stripper he booked for Albert’s birthday. Cushty! Not just the best Christmas special, but the best Fools & Horses ever. You Plonker! Del meets Raquel through a dating agency. Derek’s specifications – “She’s got to be a bit of a sort” – are hilarious, but there’s an underlying sense that he’s getting older. Pulling birds isn’t as easy as it used to be. 42-Carat Moment? Del Boy misses out on his chance to rekindle his romance with Raquel when he’s unexpectedly arrested over another police/stripper mix up.
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