15 brilliant things you probably didn’t know about Only Fools and Horses
Remember Triggers actual name? And no, it's not Dave!
Only Fools and Horses first aired in 1981 and has remained one of the most popular sitcoms to ever hit UK television screens.
Created and written by John Sullivan, the BBC sitcom finished in 2003 but we all still love to watch re-runs of Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Uncle Albert and the gang. But there’s a lot more to know about the show.
For instance, did you know one of the shows main characters was actually an extra during the first ever episode? We didn’t think so.
With that said, we’ve constructed a list of 15 brilliant things you may not know about Only Fools and Horses.
1. Trigger’s real name
We all love Trigger for constantly referring to Rodney as Dave, but are you aware of Trig’s real name?
Well, it’s Colin Bell.
2. Buster’s big break
Before joining the BBC sitcom, Buster Merryfield was never an established actor. In fact he served in World War II and had a long career in banking until he was 57 years-old.
He then took up amateur dramatics and was cast for the role of Uncle Albert in 1985 and instantly became an iconic TV star.
3. Different theme tune
When the first episode of Only Fools aired on television it had an instrumental theme tune. Most episodes now have been altered to include the theme tune we are all familiar with during the opening credits.
Although if you listen closely during the ‘Big Brother’ episode the original can be heard as Del tries to sell briefcases to market traders.
When the older episodes are shown on TV the instrumental theme tune can sometimes be heard.
4. Real-life location
The unforgettable ‘Miami Twice’ Christmas specials back in 1991 were actually set in a real-life Mafia mansion.
It was supposedly Al Capone’s favourite suite in the Biltmore Hotel, Miami.
5. First episode flopped
There’s no doubt Only Fools is one of the most loved British TV shows with audiences spanning over generations.
However, when the first episode aired in 1981 the show struggled. Eventually, by series three the nation was in love with the Trotters. Luvly jubbly.
MORE ON ONLY FOOLS & HORSES
-
15 funny quotes from Trigger -
How well do you know these characters? -
17 Del Boy one-liners -
9 times Grandad made us laugh
6. Bristol
Although the series is set in Peckham , South London , a majority of the filming took place in and around Bristol.
7. Del Boy could have been very different
It’s unimaginable to think the role of Del Boy could be played by anyone other than David Jason. However, Jim Broadbent was originally asked to play Del as David wasn’t actually the producers’ first choice.
Jim later became Del’s arrogant nemesis DCI Roy Slater.
8. Fatal Extraction
In Fatal Extraction, Raquel leaves Del so in response he asks out another woman. When Del and Raquel are back together he becomes convinced that the woman is stalking him.
The episode is inspired by and resembles the classic 1987 film Fatal Attraction which starred Michael Douglas and Glenn Close.
9. ‘Readies’
Only Fools and Horses wasn’t always the name of our favourite BBC sitcom.
The original working title was ‘The Readies’ which is the slang term for a £50 note. It could have also been called Big Brother which we know is the title of the first episode.
10. Do not laugh!
During the infamous chandelier gaff, David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst had only one shot to complete the scene as the chandelier cost £6,000.
If either actor had laughed when the chandelier fell the episode would have been lost, but thankfully they nailed it first time.
11. The pub extra
During the very first episode, Del walks into the Nag’s Head with Rodney and said hello to a woman sitting at a table who is an extra to the show.
This actress was allegedly Tessa Peake-Jones who went on to play Raquel. I mean she does resemble and sound like her.
12. Not just a writer
John Sullivan not only wrote Only Fools and Horses but he also sings the opening and closing theme tunes.
13. The Trotter van
The famous yellow Robin Reliant sporting the words Trotters Independent Traders is synonymous with Only Fools and Horses.
But there wasn’t only one vehicle made for the show – there were over a dozen three-wheeled Reliant Regals used during the series.
14. Episode inspiration
Inspiration for some of the episodes came from John Sullivan’s real life encounters.
For example, ”The Jolly Boys Outing” was written after his sister-in-law told him that her father used to go on an annual event called the same name.
15. The BBC DVD releases are incomplete
Because the BBC couldn’t get the rights for some of the music playing in the background of some scenes, mostly in the Nag’s Head, these scenes were cut from the episode.
