David Jason reveals shock moment he threatened to quit Only Fools And Horses 17 years before the end
ONLY Fools and Horses legend David Jason has told of the moment that could have changed the whole future of the beloved series.
Del Boy, Rodney and Boycie are still household names despite first hitting out TV screens in 1981.
But David Jason, who played the lead role in the sitcom has told of an alternative ending for his character.
The story dates back to 1986 when the Only Fools and Horses had already been on the air for five years and apparently David was starting to think that he should explore other career options.
Whilst discussions were ongoing it led writer John Sullivan to write a potential final episode of the series called ‘Who wants to be a millionaire’.
The episode did air that year but it could have ended very differently. The storyline saw a character called Jumbo Mills returning to Peckham from Australia.
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He had supposedly made his fortune on the other side of the world and had crossed paths with Del after doing a deal with Boycie, played by John Challis.
The initial idea for the script was that Jumbo was going to tempt Del Boy to join him on his return to Australia to see if he could also make his millions out there.
It would have given David Jason an opportunity to leave the show and would have reportedly paved the way for the series to continue with a new life without him.
Producers were toying with the idea of making Nicholas Lyndhurst the star of a new version of the show called ‘Hot Rod’ after his character Rodney.
It’s thought that he would take over the running of the family business, Trotter Independent Trading Company.
Other main characters were apparently also sounded out about continuing their roles in the new version of the show.
The fate of the show hung on the outcome of that episode but David changed his mind behind the scenes and decided to stay with the hit show.
On screen viewers see Del boy rejecting the flashy Jumbo Mills and his plans for the two to leave Peckham together.
Fans who have discussed the story online were largely relieved to hear that the alternative direction for the classic was averted.
One said: “I never knew this. I’m glad he stayed as some of the best episodes came after this one.”
Another commented in disbelief: “Love that story that David Jason was ready to leave but changed his mind, so they rewrote the ending of that episode. Imagine it ending after that episode.
