Sir David Jason, famed for his portrayal of the beloved Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, has shared his thoughts on what he considers a “mistake” made by the show’s creator, John Sullivan. Speaking at a recent fan convention for the classic BBC sitcom, which first aired in 1981, Sir David reflected on a key plot point that he believes left the series with “nowhere to go.

The iconic 1996 Christmas special saw Del Boy and his brother Rodney (played by Nicholas Lyndhurst) achieve their long-standing dream of becoming millionaires. In the episode Time on Our Hands, the Trotters discover a valuable 18th Century Harrison marine watch in Del’s garage, which sells at auction for £6.2 million. The special drew an impressive 24.3 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched British TV moments.

However, according to Sir David, the Trotters’ newfound wealth marked the end of the dynamic that had made the series so popular. “There was nowhere to go after the Trotters became millionaires and it all worked out,” he said.  “It was the end of a journey. The journey was that struggle for survival, the struggle for the family. The way they behaved, that interaction, all of that stuff that made the Trotters ceased to exist once they had become millionaires.”

Sir David, now 84, elaborated that while it wasn’t that John Sullivan had “run out of steam,” the core appeal of the show was rooted in the characters’ constant hustle to get by. He was so used to working mentally with all of the characters, the style of the cut and thrust of learning to survive on the edge of disaster.

In total, Only Fools and Horses aired 64 episodes over seven series, with more than 10 Christmas specials running until 2003. Despite the series coming to an end, the Trotters’ rags-to-riches story remains one of the most iconic moments in British television history.

The fan convention was yet another reminder of the enduring popularity of Only Fools and Horses, and Sir David Jason’s insights have provided fans with a deeper understanding of the creative challenges faced during its celebrated run.