The iconic Only Fools and Horses actor you forgot dated someone on the show
The couple starred in one of the most memorable episodes together
Raquel Turner is the long-term partner of Peckham’s top wheeler-dealer Del Boy Trotter in the classic comedy Only Fools and Horses. In the series, the couple originally met through a dating agency in the classic Dates episode before rekindling their romance during The Jolly Boys’ Outing.
Their relationship stood the test of time and they went on to live happily ever after with son Damien at their flat in Nelson Mandela House. However, you might not know that that actor who played Raquel Turner dated someone from another memorable Only Fools and Horses Christmas special that aired in December 1996: Heroes and Villains.
This episode opens with Rodney’s futuristic dream where his ‘evil’ nephew Damien is head of the very powerful Trotters Independent Traders, who rule the Western world. The year is 2026 and Del Boy’s son Damien is now declaring war on China from their Trotters Towers. In these scenes, baddie adult Damien is played by actor Douglas Hodge – who is actually now a Hollywood movie regular.
The classic episode also follows Del Boy and Rodney Trotter in the present day arriving at a fancy dressed party as Batman and Robin. But, they’re unaware the publican, Harry Malcolm, had died the day before and the fancy dress had been cancelled in favour of a wake. The comedy pair burst into the room singing the Batman theme tune to the horror of other attendees, after Boycie ‘forgot’ to tell them the event had changed.
Grown-up Damien is portrayed by Douglas Hodge who has also starred in programmes including London’s Burning (1988), Spooks (2005), Skins (2010), Outnumbered (2010) and Black Mirror (2017) – to name a few.
The 60-year-old has also played many movie roles during his successful acting career, including Dan in The Descent Part 2 (2009), Sir Robert Loxley in Robin Hood (2010), Paul Burrell in Diana (2013) and Alfred Pennyworth in Joker (2019).
He was also the long-term partner to Raquel Turner star Tessa Peake-Jones. The couple got together in 1984 and have two children, a son, Charlie, and a daughter, Mollie Rose.
They called time on their relationship in 2013 and announced they had split. The Heroes and Villians episode was broadcast on Christmas Day 1996 so the couple was together when they both starred in the episode.
