Sir David Jason Visits Belfast Ahead of "Only Fools and Horses" 45th Anniversary
The beloved actor was seen at Belfast airport as the iconic sitcom he starred in celebrates its 45th anniversary.
Sir David Jason, the actor known for his role as Del Boy in the British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses," was seen at Belfast airport on Friday. His visit coincides with the 45th anniversary of the popular show.
Jason, 86, arrived in Belfast ahead of his scheduled performance at the Waterfront Hall this weekend. The actor is currently touring with his live stage show, "An Evening with Sir David Jason," where he shares career reflections and stories from his acting career.
Belfast City Airport shared a post on Instagram welcoming the star, stating, "This afternoon's arrival was, quite simply, lovely jubbly! We were delighted to welcome the legendary Sir David Jason to the heart of Belfast ahead of his performance at the Waterfront Hall this weekend."
The anniversary of "Only Fools and Horses" was marked last month with the release of previously unseen footage from the "Jolly Boys' Outing" episode. The 1989 Christmas special saw characters Del Boy, Rodney, and Uncle Albert embark on a trip to Margate, which ultimately devolved into chaos when their bus exploded.
Sir David expressed his enthusiasm for the unearthed material, noting, "I've really enjoyed seeing it all. A lot of bits of film that have never been seen before by anyone, except those who recorded it, so it's coming out fresh. I think the audience will find this very exciting."
The released footage includes Micky Pearce, played by Patrick Murray, filming a funfair scene, and Buster Merryfield as Uncle Albert during the annual coach trip. These clips are part of the lead-up to the documentary series "Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive," which premiered in October and offers fans a look into the show's vault for the first time.
The documentary features interviews with cast members such as Tessa Peake Jones, Gwyneth Strong, Sue Holderness, Steven Woodcock, and Denis Lill, alongside Sir David himself. The unearthed material comprises a mix of old scenes, studio outtakes, and location recordings.
"Only Fools and Horses" writer John Sullivan passed away in 2011. Following his death, actor Nicholas Lyndhurst, who portrayed Rodney, indicated that new episodes were unlikely due to Sullivan's central role in the show and the passing of other cast members.