This year marks 45 years since the British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses" first graced television screens, following the misadventures of the Trotter brothers' ambitious, often outlandish, schemes to achieve wealth. The show, set in Peckham, South London, starred Sir David Jason as Derek "Del Boy" Trotter and Nicholas Lyndhurst as his younger half-brother Rodney.

To commemorate the anniversary, previously unseen footage from "The Jolly Boys' Outing" Christmas special, originally aired in 1989, was released. A two-part series, "Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive," is also set to debut in October, featuring additional unreleased clips and cast interviews.

Sir David Jason (Del Boy Trotter)

Sir David Jason, 86, is forever associated with the role of the enterprising Del Boy. His acting career began in 1964, with early roles in "Crossroads" and the children's comedy "Do Not Adjust Your Set" alongside future "Monty Python" members. He narrowly missed out on parts in "Dad's Army" and "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em." Jason's extensive television work includes "Open All Hours," "Porridge," "Still Open All Hours," and "The Darling Buds of May." He is also widely recognized for his role as Detective Inspector Jack Frost in the crime drama "A Touch of Frost," which ran from 1992 to 2010. He was awarded an OBE in 1993 and knighted in 2005 for services to acting and comedy.

In recent years, Jason has appeared in documentaries such as "David Jason's Great British Inventions." Tragically, he lost his girlfriend of 18 years, actress Myfanwy Talog, to breast cancer in 1995. He married Gill Hinchcliffe in 2005, and they have a daughter, Sophie Mae. In 2023, Jason discovered he had another daughter, Abi Harris, born from a brief relationship in 1970. Despite his advancing age, his earnings have remained substantial, with reports indicating he was one of the BBC's top earners in 2017.

Nicholas Lyndhurst (Rodney Trotter)

Nicholas Lyndhurst, 65, became known as "Rodders" for his portrayal of Rodney Trotter, beginning in 1981. During the 1980s and 1990s, he starred in "The Two of Us" and "The Piglet Files." He also achieved significant success as Gary Sparrow in the sitcom "Goodnight Sweetheart," winning two National Television Awards. Lyndhurst also took on roles in "After You've Gone" and played Rodney's biological father, Freddie Robdal, in the "Only Fools and Horses" prequel "Rock & Chips."

He turned down a role in the hit 1997 film "The Full Monty." Lyndhurst later appeared as Detective Chief Inspector Dan Griffin in "New Tricks" from 2013. He starred as Professor Alan Cornwall in the 2023 reboot of "Frasier," a role that came about after forming a friendship with Kelsey Grammer during a West End production. Tragically, Lyndhurst and his wife Lucy lost their 19-year-old son, Archie, in September 2020 to leukaemia.

Patrick Murray (Mickey Pearce)

Patrick Murray played the recurring character Mickey Pearce, a friend of Rodney known for his embellished tales. After appearing in 20 episodes, Murray transitioned to other roles and professions, including professional poker player, bricklayer, and taxi driver. He married his wife, Anong, from Thailand, and they faced a two-year separation due to visa restrictions before being reunited with their daughter, Josie. In January 2021, Murray announced a diagnosis of lung cancer, which had returned by 2023. He passed away in September of that year at the age of 68.

Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel Turner)

Tessa Peake-Jones joined "Only Fools and Horses" as Raquel Turner in 1988 and became a regular fixture until 2003. She married her co-star Douglas Hodge, who later played her on-screen son Damien, in 1985. They separated in 2013 after 27 years of marriage and have two children. Peake-Jones has maintained a presence in television, notably as Mrs. Sylvia Maguire in the ITV series "Grantchester." She has expressed that a reunion episode of "Only Fools and Horses" would not be the same without the late writer John Sullivan.

Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra Trotter)

Gwyneth Strong played Cassandra Trotter, Rodney's eventual wife, joining the show to balance the male-dominated cast. She later reunited with Sir David Jason in "A Touch of Frost" and has appeared in stage productions and other television series, including "Casualty" and "EastEnders." Strong is a vocal advocate for ovarian cancer awareness, serving as a patron for Ovarian Cancer Action, following her mother's death from the disease. She is married to actor Jesse Birdsall, and they have two children.

Benjamin Smith (Damien Trotter)

Benjamin Smith took over the role of Del Boy's son Damien in 2001. The character's name famously led to Rodney associating him with the devil from the horror movie "The Omen." Smith has since appeared in "Holby City," "Doctor Who," "EastEnders," "Skins," and the Netflix mini-series "Resistance."

John Challis (Boycie)

John Challis gained significant recognition as second-hand car dealer Aubrey "Boycie" Boyce. He reprised the role in the spin-off "Green Green Grass" and published autobiographies detailing his experiences. Challis also appeared in the ITV sitcom "Benidorm." He passed away from cancer in September 2021 at the age of 79. Before his death, he had become an honorary citizen of Serbia, where "Only Fools and Horses" maintains a strong following, exploring this in the documentary "Boycie In Belgrade."

Sue Holderness (Marlene Boyce)

Sue Holderness played Boycie's wife, Marlene, from 1985 to 2003 and in the spin-off "The Green Green Grass." She has also appeared in "Doctors," "Still Open All Hours," and "EastEnders." Holderness recently launched a campaign against online scams after being targeted by fraudsters. She reunited with Sir David Jason at an "Only Fools and Horses" convention in 2023.

Paul Barber (Denzil Tulser)

Paul Barber portrayed Denzil, who was often drawn into Del Boy's schemes. His most notable role outside of "Only Fools and Horses" was as Barrington "Horse" Mitchell in the 1997 film "The Full Monty," a role he reprised in the 2023 miniseries. Barber has also appeared in "Coronation Street" and "Death in Paradise." He has spoken about a difficult childhood in foster care and believes this influenced his decision not to marry or have children.

Roger Lloyd-Pack (Trigger)

Roger Lloyd-Pack played the memorable character Colin "Trigger" Ball, known for consistently calling Rodney "Dave." He also appeared as Owen Newitt in "The Vicar of Dibley" and as Barty Crouch Sr. in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Lloyd-Pack died in 2014 at the age of 69 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His estate, valued at £1.4 million, was divided among his widow and four children.

Kenneth MacDonald (Mike Fisher)

Kenneth MacDonald was known for his role as pub landlord Mike Fisher. He also played Gunner Nobby Clark in "It Ain't Half Hot Mum." MacDonald suffered a fatal heart attack in 2001 at the age of 50 while on holiday in Hawaii, shortly before his role in "The Last Detective" was to air. His "Only Fools and Horses" character was written into the show's revival that year, with a storyline stating he was imprisoned for embezzling the brewery.

Lennard Pearce (Grandad)

Lennard Pearce played Grandad from 1981 until his death in 1984 at the age of 69. He passed away from a heart attack midway through filming an episode. The character's death was written into the show, and Buster Merryfield was cast as his replacement, Uncle Albert.

Buster Merryfield (Uncle Albert)

Buster Merryfield took over the role of Uncle Albert in 1985, following Lennard Pearce's death. Merryfield, a former bank manager, became known for his character's catchphrase "during the war," referencing his own service in the army. He died in 1999 at the age of 78 from a brain tumor. He and his wife were married for 57 years.