Introduction

Only Fools And Horses was written by John Sullivan and the first series was first transmitted in 1981.  It follows the exploits of the Trotter family who live in a council owned high rise block of flats in Peckham in The London Borough of Southwark. The series officially ended in February 1991, but did return in December 1991 with seven Christmas specials. Sadly, it now looks like there are to be no more episodes.

Cast and Characters

Derek Trotter (Del Boy) played by David Jason

Derek, usually called 'Del' or 'Delboy', is an outgoing, optimistic sort of bloke. He's also a bit of a 'flash git' according to some - including, at times, his younger brother Rodney. He's got a heart of gold, though, and he'll do anything to help anyone (as long as they don't 'cross' him). Del's main aim in life is to make as much money as possible without attracting the attention of the taxman or VAT man.  Click on the speakers to hear sound clips of Del Boy.

Rodney Trotter played by Nicholas Lyndhurst

Derek's much younger brother. He can be a bit of a "plonker", but he always means well. He tends to be rather naiive, so it's not too difficult for people to "con" him.

Grandad played by Lennard Pearce



Grandad has a definite mournful streak, the result of years of hardship in his younger days. He tends to be a "bit of a liability", but Del and Rodney think the world of him. He's a well-liked local "character".

Uncle Albert played by Buster Merryfield



Uncle Albert is Grandad's brother, though they weren't on speaking terms for many years before Grandad's death. Albert is an old "sea dog" who bores everyone to death with his stories about the things that happened to him "during the war". Since retiring from the Merchant Navy, he's survived by living with relatives, all of whom eventually find a way of getting rid of him. Eventually, it's Del and Rodney's turn to have Albert as a lodger.

Racquel played by Tessa Peake-Jones



Racqel Turner pictured here with Del Boy wants to be an actress, though she's working as a "strip-o-gram" when Del first meets her. They lose touch for a year, then meet up again when Del and Rodney visit a night club during a disastrous day trip to Margate. Racquel eventually moves in with Del and they have a son, Damien.

Cassandra played by Gwyneth Strong



Rodney meets Cassandra at night school. They begin a relationship, get married, split up and are eventually reunited. Cassandra, the daughter of a successful businessman, works in a bank and is keen to be successful.

Trigger played by Roger Lloyd Pack



Trigger is a local roadsweeper. He tends to be rather dim, to say the least. He has a habit of referring to Rodney as "Dave" - nobody knows why (not even Trigger) and it often gets up Rodney's nose.

Boycie played by John Challis



Boycie is a local used car dealer with a fairly "dodgy" reputation. He has a number of shady "sidelines" which often attract the attention of the local police, though they can rarely pin anything on him.

Denzil played by Paul Barber



Denzil is a West Indian lorry driver. He's normally a fairly relaxed, happy-go-lucky character - except, that is, when he's a victim of one of his mate Del's get-rich-quick schemes.

Marlene played by Sue Holderness



In her younger days, she was "a bit of a goer" - all the lads remember Marlene, as various people suggest from time to time. Nowadays, Marlene is more or less happily married to Boycie. She's very keen to become a mother, an ambition which is eventually realised after many years of "trying".

Mike played by Kenneth MacDonald



Mike is the landlord of the Nag's Head public house. He thinks of himself as a shrewd businessman, though he often manages to get "conned" by Del Trotter.

Mickey Pearce played by Patrick Murray



Mickey (pictured in the middle) is an old friend of Rodney's. He likes to think of himself as a "lady's man", though in reality he tends to be no more successful than Rodney in that department.

Production Details

 Written by:
John Sullivan
 
Directed by:
Martin Shardlow, Ray Butt, Susan Belbin, Mandie Fletcher, Tony Dow, Gareth Gwenlan
 
Produced by:
Ray Butt, Gareth Gwenlan, Bernard Thompson
 
7 series, 61 episodes
 
 35 episodes x 30 minutes
 1 episode x 35 minutes
 13 episodes x 50 minutes
 4 episodes x 60 minutes
 1 episode x 65 minutes
 2 episodes x 75 minutes
 1 episode x 80 minutes
 2 episodes x 85 minutes
 1 episode x 90 minutes
 1 episode x 95 minutes
 
Transmitted: 1981-96
 
BBC Television