The Final Trilogy Available in Croatia

Yep news has reached us from Goran in Croatia that the final trilogy of OFAH comprising of Heroes and Villains, Modern Men and Time On Our Hands, is now available in Croatia, the videos can be purchased from Zagreb for 95KUNAS per episode. 

Jason: Only Fools and Horses work!

Actor David Jason is taking a break from TV for the first time in 15 years.

The 59-year-old star of Only Fools and Horses and A Touch Of Frost has cleared his diary and admitted: "I'm going to enjoy myself. "I haven't got any plans I'm just trying to wind down for a bit, see what the future holds."

Jason, who plays Captain Frank Beck in BBC One's All The King's Men next month, added: "I'd like to spend time in the garden. There's all sorts of plans brewing." 

DAVID WINS OVER WAR HERO'S FAMILY

Fools and Horses Star David Jason had to convince the family of a war hero that he wouldn't bring his Delboy Trotter character to the part. 

All The Kings Men is the true story about Frank Beck and his troops who disappeared at Gallipoli in World War 1.

David said "I met Beck's grandson, Edward, for my research and he said 'I didn't think you were right for the part, but now I've met you  I think you will make a bloody good Beck!", "It's very important you get it as right as you possibly can because he was a real man and it could damage the family name"

Source Teletext 28th October 1999

NICK IS BEST TV COMEDY PERFORMER

Nicholas Lyndhurst who made his first public appearance with new bride Lucy Smith picked up most popular comedy performer at the National Television Awards on 26th October 1999 for his role as Gary Sparrow in the BBC TV hit Goodnight Sweetheart. The audience at the Royal Albert Hall in London cheered as it was handed to Nick by co-star David Jason, a multiple winner in previous years. Nick was unable to attend the awards personally. A picture of Nick being informed of  his award can be seen on Nick's picture gallery.  

CHRISTMAS TREES SET FOR VIDEO RELEASE

It has been confirmed that the OFAH appreciation society is to release a video containing probably the three most wanted footage of OFAH, the video which so far has no confirmed release date will feature a sketch from the Royal Variety Performance filmed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 24th November 1986, also a recent car advertisement for Rover which has been shown in New Zealand which features Boycie and Delboy, and finally short episode entitled Christmas Tree's which I know a lot of people (including myself) have been waiting to see. More information on how to order this video will be published here as soon as I get the details.

NEWLYWED RODDERS HAS A GOOD MORNING, SWEETHEART

NEWLYWED Nicholas Lyndhurst showed off his famous skinny physique as he and his new bride soaked up the California sunshine on a romantic honeymoon trip. The star, who played Rodney the Plonker in Only Fools And Horses and time-travelling Gary in Goodnight Sweetheart, wed long-time love Lucy Smith in a secret ceremony. 
And one British tourist who spotted the couple on the beach at Santa Monica said: "He's so thin - one small gust of wind could have sent him blowing down the beach like an autumn leaf." 
Gorgeous Lucy displayed her own curvy figure in a black bikini that drew admiring stares from men up and down the shoreline. And Nicholas 38, was more than happy to help her apply the suntan lotion as she took off her top and got down to some serious sunbathing. 
The couple looked very much in love as they lazed away the afternoon on a blanket made for two. 
"Anyone could see that these two were on their honeymoon," said the onlooker. "From the loving looks and whispers and giggles they only had eyes for each other. 
Nick appeared to be without a care in the world as he smoked a few cigarettes as Lucy lay close by him. 
But they didn't venture into the Pacific for a swim - skinny-dipping or otherwise. After a quick catnap, they packed up their belongings and made there way back to their hotel suite - to continue their honeymoon in private. 
EMMA JONES

Source, Daily Mirror 12th September 1999

Jim Scoops Best Actor

British actor Jim Broadbent has scooped the best actor accolade at the Venice Film Festival.
The star, who featured in The Crying Game and Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway movies as well as BBC's Only Fools and Horses, clinched the award for his role in Mike Leigh's Topsy Turvy film.
The 50-year-old actor, who grew up in Lincolnshire and later went to school in Reading, began his professional career as acting assistant stage manager at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
His breakthrough came in 1976 when he appeared in Ken Campbell's Illuminatus.
His other credits include playing Pod in the film version of Mary Norton's The Borrowers and ITV's greyhound saga Gone to the Dogs.
The Chinese film Not One Less, directed by Zhang Yimou, took the top prize at the Venice festival.

Only Fools and Mouses

IF only Rodney could see him now. Only Fools and Horses star David Jason heads home after a swanky evening watching Agatha Christie's Mousetrap in London's West End. The 59 year old looked relaxed and happy after a merry night on the town with friends. First he saw the long-running murder classic. Then he topped it off with dinner at the exclusive Ivy Restaurant. Makes a change from the a pint of bitter and a packet of pork crackling down the Nag's Head, eh Del Boy.    

Source, Daily Mirror August 1999

Tear's For Buster

The Funeral of Buster Merryfield took place at 2pm on 29th June 1999 at St Michael's Church, Verwood, Dorset. David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst were among the mourners. It was reported there wasn't a dry eye in the house, David Jason wiped the tears from his eyes, Nicholas Lyndurst bowed his head in tribute to his pal. Celebrities and public alike packed the church to say a fond farewell to their lovable Uncle Albert.

Ken MacDonald (Mike Fisher), read a short poem. He said "I feel I have lost one of our comrades. We were all very close. Buster  was a lovely man and a true Gentleman, this is a very sad day.". John Challis (Boyce) and Buster's Agent, Sandy Ross Brown,  was also amongst the mourners. 

After hymn's of which included Buster's favorite The Old Rugged Cross, mourners heard extracts from Buster's Autobiography (During The War)

The service was also relayed by loudspeaker so that fans could hear as they stood in the lane outside the church . Cannon Alan Gill said "Buster was loved by millions for his endearing character and his ability to make us all laugh"

As Busters coffin, covered with wreaths, was carried from the church, hundreds of local residents said their farewells.

To see pictures of the funeral Click Here.

Source, Daily Mirror 30th June 1999

Buster's Funeral Date

Only Fools And Horses star Buster Merryfield's funeral will be held near his Dorset home next Tuesday. Friends and colleagues including cast members, will attend St Michael's Church, Verwood at 2pm. Mr Merryfield's widow Iris has requested only family flowers be sent. Donations can be made to the Longfleet ward of Poole General Hospital, where he fought his final illness against a brain tumor.

28th June 1999

Delboy's Fall Comes 2nd In Classic TV Poll

A poll was recently held for the readers of Classic Television magazine for the nations favorite comic moment, in first place was Dad's Army and Captain Mainwaring's encounter with a German submarine commander, in 2nd place was David Jason's excellent  performance in Yuppy Love in which Delboy's falls through the hatch of a bar whilst attampting to be a cool yuppie, in third place was John Cleese's encounter with German guests in Fawlty Towers.

26th June 1999

Tribute to TV star Buster

Only Fools and Horses fan Cecil Hughes has vowed to honour the death of Buster Merryfield. Mr Merryfield, known to millions of viewers as the lovable Uncle Albert in the cult BBC comedy show, died yesterday aged 78.

Mr Hughes loves the show so much he converted a Reliant Rialto van into a replica of Del Boy's three wheeler, complete with authentic writing on the side. The 57-year-old from Prior's Park in Tewkesbury is also a member of the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society and has every single episode on video. He said he would be contacting the society to see what they have planned to mark his life. "It's very sad. He was a very likeable gentleman," he said. "I never met him but he was one of my favourites. It's a bolt out of the blue. "I'd like to do something in his memory."

Source, This is Gloucesteshire 24th June 1999

Actor Buster Merryfield Dies

Only Fools And Horses star Buster Merryfield who was known to millions as Uncle Albert in the BBC1 series, has died. He was 78.

The star was admitted to hospital 11 days ago with a brain tumour, his agent Sandy Ross-Brown said. His wife Iris - to whom he was married for 57 years - was at his bedside when he died. White-bearded Merryfield appeared in the show for more than a decade until it ended in 1996. As Uncle Albert he was known for the famous catchphrase "during the war..." as he burst into reminiscences about his days in the Navy. He was in his sixties when he landed the part of Uncle Albert - created to replace the character of Grandad when actor Lennard Pearce died.

Merryfield - who lived in Bournemouth, Dorset - was quickly absorbed into the show and his character, dressed in familiar duffel coat, seafarer's cap and scarf became intrinsic to the success of the show.

Ms Ross-Brown, his agent and personal manager, asked that the family's privacy was respected at such a distressing time. In a statement she said: "He was truly a remarkable man. He became a professional actor after a career in banking at the age of 57. He had spent 30 years in amateur stage work and then success came as Uncle Albert.

"Throughout his career his wonderful wife Iris, whom he married 57 years ago, gave him unfailing support. He said that she had been the wise head that kept his feet on the ground."

Source, Press association 23rd June 1999

Only Fools star Buster Dies
Veteran actor Buster Merryfield, who was known to millions as Uncle Albert in BBC One's Only Fools And Horses, has died aged 78.

On Tuesday his agent Sandy Ross-Brown revealed he was being treated at Poole General Hospital, Dorset, for a brain tumour. White-whiskered Merryfield, who lived in Bournemouth, was admitted to hospital 11 days ago. He became a national institution after joining the hit comedy Only Fools and Horses in 1984. His wife Iris - to whom he was married for 57 years - was at his bedside when he died.  Since the final show was aired at Christmas 1996, Merryfield made numerous personal appearances. Before becoming an actor at the age of 57, he worked in banking for 40 years. He always prided himself on his fitness, following a strict fitness regime of daily press-ups and swimming sessions. Unlike his TV character, the pipe-sucking Uncle Albert, Merryfield never smoked. His efforts to stay fit could be traced back to his time as a child boxing star in the 1930s. He was British schoolboy champion in 1936 and Southern Command army champion in 1945. Merryfield caught the acting bug during the Second World War when he was a physical training and jungle warfare instructor. As sports and entertainments officer he organised shows for the troops. One night when a compere went sick he was forced to step in and his future was sealed.

Tributes

Paul Jackson, BBC controller of entertainment, said: "Buster Merryfield will be fondly remembered for his role as Uncle Albert in Only Fools And Horses.

"He was a modest man whose warmth and humour contributed greatly to the popularity of the most successful situation comedy ever."

Perry Aghajanoff, president of the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society, which has more than 3,000 members, described Merryfield as "a gentleman".

"More than anything he was just so genuinely happy. When you met him he never seemed down. He always took his time when people met him because he always knew it was a highlight for them," he said.

"I think he was genuinely pleased to be famous and to have made it - it was almost as if he could not believe it was happening to him so late in his life. He is going to be sorely missed."

BBC director of television Alan Yentob added: "It's very very sad. He was one of those people who has lit up people's lives by his every appearance."

Source BBC News, 23rd June 1999

Actor Buster Merryfield Dies At Age 78

Only Fools and Horses star Buster Merryfield has died.

Know to millions as Uncle Albert in the BBC TV show, the 78 year old actor was admitted to hospital in Poole, Dorset, 11 days ago with a brain tumour. His wife Iris, to whom he was married for 57 years, was at his bedside when he died.

The white-bearded star, who lived in Bournemouth, went into acting full-time when he retired from banking aged 57.

Source Ceefax, 23rd June 1999

Star Pays Triburte To Merryfield

Actor Nicholas Lyndhurst who played Rodney Trotter in BBC ONE's Only Fools and Horses, has paid tribute to fellow star Buster Merryfield, who died aged 78. "He was a gentle, sweet-natured man.... and made the part of Uncle Albert a national institution.", he said.

The white-bearded star, who lived in Bournemouth, was admitted to hospital 11 days ago with a brain tumour.

Source, Teletext 23rd June 1999

OFAH Comes To Radio

Only Fools and Horses is to be aired on the UK national radio 4 on Thursday 17th June 1999 at 18:30 it features the episode entitled The Long Legs of The Law. This is followed by A Losing Streak on Thursday 24th

Fatal Extraction Released On Video (UK)

Fatal Extraction will officialy be released for retail on video in the UK on 7th June 1999, it is true this video has been avaliable as a special release to readers of the Daily Mirror for a few months. You can order the video now online. Click Here To Order

Fools and Horsers Trots Off To America

By Derek Robins

Their van always boasted the legend New York, Paris and Peckham but now London wheeler-dealers Del and Rodney Trotter are to set up business in America.

The BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses is to be re-made for the United States under a money spinning deal announced today (30th April 1999). Writer John Sullivan will be executive producer and script consultant for the American series.

The UK Government has hailed the sale of OFAH to the United States as a huge boost for UK exports. Junior Culture Minister Janet Anderson says "It's my favourite TV show and I'm delighted it's getting wider international recognition. We are going to hold and inquiry with leading TV industry figures to see what we can do to boost the sales, which last year were worth more than £300 million". Castle Rock Entertainment, makers of Seinfeld has bought the rights of the show.

The sale of OFAH was arranged with the help of, comedy legend Tony Hancock's family, Tony's nephew Tim thinks the show will succeed America. He says "They want to keep it as near as possible to the UK version. There view is if it ain't bust don't try to fix it"

Writer John Sullivan will help a US team transfer the South London sitcom to the States.

Source, Teletext, 30th April 1999

Only Fools and Horses sold to US studio

By Geoff Teather

"This time next year we'll be millionaires" - the immortal words of Only Fools And Horses' Del Boy. But for pounds substitute dollars. For today is the day of the ultimate export to America - Del Boy and Rodney have been bought by Time Warner, one of the biggest TV and film producers in the US.

How the Peckham-based sitcom translates into a hit series across the Atlantic remains to be seen. Who could play Del Boy? Will the Yanks understand the rhyming slang? And how on earth can they reproduce the Nag's Head? But all this has been brushed to one side because of one thing - the quality of British writing.

Which is why creator and writer of Fools and Horses John Sullivan has been engaged as executive producer and script consultant for the American spin-off.

Eighteen months of negotiations plus nine trips to Hollywood has finally paid off for Tim Hancock, chief executive of Roger Hancock Limited, who has brokered the deal. Speaking in his Camden offices today, he said: "This is a ground-breaking deal that could do for British comedy what ER and Hill Street Blues did for American drama over here.

"It's not a case of who could possibly play Del Boy or Rodney, but more a recognition in the States of the wonderful quality of British writing. In John Sullivan we have one of the best, and it is a testament to him and British comedy that the Americans have said, 'Let's get the words right first before we think about who we want to say them'."

Hancock is entitled to express a view about comedy. He had a famous uncle called Tony, and the pictures on his office walls pay tribute to the man who made comic history out of giving a blood sample.

"My uncle was - is - a legend. I've been brought up in a family where comedy is our bread and butter. The biggest challenge we faced in this deal was how do you sell something that is so quintessentially English, or rather London-based, to an audience that thinks Cheers was all about a pub?"

The rights for the programme have been acquired by Castle Rock Entertainment, part of the Time Warner empire. They are the producers of When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men, starring Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore. But their big television success has been Seinfeld - the highest-rating programme in the States which has since made the transition to Britain.

"Basically, we have sold the rights to the highest-rating British TV series to the makers of the highest-rating series in the States," said Hancock. "We know how well Seinfeld has gone down over here and we have no doubts about the possibilities for Fools and Horses over there."

The idea was first mooted in the States about 10 years ago, but the marketability of a sitcom based on a working-class London family seemed limited.

Then a friend of Hancock's, Penny Croft, who had learned the business over here and moved to the States, was asked by Castle Rock if there were any British sitcoms they should be interested in.

There was only one show that came to mind, and after American executives watched tapes, Del Boy and Rodney were bound for the States. Now Castle Rock has the rights, it will work with Sullivan before pitching to the major US networks for a commission. "There will still be a Del Boy and a Rodney, it just won't be David Jason and Nick Lyndhurst," said Hancock. "What they are interested in is the relationships, the three generations of one family living under one roof.

"An older brother who has sacrificed a major part of his life to raise and support a younger brother since their orphaned childhood. When it comes to it you will recognise the characters, and the storylines, it's just the actors who will be different."

It is not difficult to see why the Americans saw an opportunity with the show. Fools and Horses claims the highest single show rating ever in UK broadcasting history with an audience of 23.45 million for the third part of a Christmas trilogy in 1996. Only EastEnders and Coronation Street ran it close. And in the all-time top 20 programmes there are just six sitcoms. Hancock's company is connected with three of them, Fools and Horses, Just Good Friends and One Foot In The Grave, as well as The Worst of It'll be Alright On The Night.

Earlier this month, Culture Secretary Chris Smith was advocating that producers of British comedy should exploit and export their excellence. "We'd like to think we've done our bit," said Hancock.

Source, Yahoo News, 30th April 1999

Lovely Jubbly - Del Boy's Going Stateside

Their van always boasted the legend New York, Paris and Peckham - although viewers never believed it.

But now well-loved south London wheeler-dealers Del Boy, Rodney and Uncle Albert - or perhaps their long lost cousins - really are setting up business in America.

BBC1 sitcom Only Fools And Horses is to be remade for the United States under a new money-spinning deal.

Source, Yahoo News, 30th April 1999

OFAH Re-Scheduled on UK Gold

UK Gold has removed Only Fools and Horses from it's current Sunday night slot, but do not fear it returns with the very first episode on 29th April 1999 at 21:00. The second episode will be shown on Friday 30th April, also at 21:00, more details will be posted as soon as I get it.

Fools Day

UK Gold is holding a Fools night on April Fools day, no joke!, they will be showing OFAH non stop from Seven PM till midnight showing two classic episodes and two feature length episodes, check out on t.v. for more info. It looks as if the night is hosted by Boycie and Marlene, tune in April Fools day to find out.

Fools and Horses Set For BBC Return

Delboy, Rodney and Uncle Albert could make a comeback next year to the joy of millions of fans. The BBC said yesterday it wanted to see a return of Only Fools and Horses, and script writer John Sullivan said he would be happy to oblige. The statement followed false claims that actor David Jason wanted to make a special episode of the hit comedy to mark the Millenium but could raise no interest from the BBC. Yesterday David Jason denied critcising comedy chiefs, the BBC said John Sullivan had been busy on other projects but added "We live in hope Del Boy hasn't said his last "Bonjour". John Sullivan said "If David can shift his schedules and the BBC can shift mine, well do it"

Source, The Mail on Sunday, 21st February 1999.

A big thanks to Dan for sending me the above article.

Give Us Del

Angry fans of Only Fools and Horses plan to march on BBC headquarters to demand a special Millennium edition of the comedy classic. The Sun revealed how David Jason offered his services to the Beeb for the one-off show, but they did not even ring him back. Now the programmes official fan club are preparing to deliver a 3,000 name petition to the BBC's chiefs in the next few days, demanding to get the camera's rolling.

Fans are also threatening a march to Television Centre in West London, where some intend driving around in their Delboy Reliant Robins until BBC controller Peter Salmon takes notice. And cast members Roger Lloyd-Pack and Gwyneth Strong have also added their voices to the debate.

Source, The Sun, 20th February 1999.

Free Only Fools and Horses Video - The Second Time Around

The Daily Mirror and HMV are offering 150,000 copies of The Second Time Around free on video, simply collect fifteen different tokens found in The Daily and Sunday Mirror from Saturday 6th February 1999, then once you have all fifteen take them to your local HMV between 26th and 28th February 1999 and exchange them for a video (as illustrated right).

The Mirror also give details of how to order Fatal Extraction before it's release to the public this summer, all for only £9.99, details can be found in Saturday 6th February 1999's edition, don't worry if you can't get your hands on it today as the mirror are publishing a four page pull out, next week. These offers are only open to U.K and Ireland residents who are aged 15 years and over.

Why Del Boy's A Man Of Our Time

Future generations should remember our time as the age of Delboy. A video of the T.V. favourites antics in Only Fools and Horses was one of the top items chosen to go into a Millennium time capsule. The face of actor David Jason as the market trader who dreamed of becoming a millionaire was second only to the Queens picture on stamps.

Source Daily Mirror, 31st December 1998.

Delboy is set for return as dome star

Delboy and Rodney are set to make a come back as hereo's of the millenium dome. Organisers want to hire John Sullivan for a best of British comedy TV show. The film is expected to feature dozens of top TV characters in specially written sketches. Bosses want it to be the top event in the baby dome which houses a 2,500 seater cinema.

Source Daily Mirror, 1st December 1998.

The Trotters will ride again

John Sullivan, who created and wrote Only Fools And Horses, the most successful comedy series in the history of British television, is working on a book about Del and Rodney.

Mr Sullivan's novel will cover the period before the television adventures of the Trotter brothers, which started in 1981. The book will feature Del and Rodney with their mother, who died when Rodney was young, and who has exerted a major pull on the characters from the grave.

At least two publishers - including the BBC - are bidding for the book but a deal has not yet been finalised. When it has, it will almost certainly make Mr Sullivan a lot of money. It is not yet known whether Mr Sullivan will consent to the book being made into a television series or film, and if so who would play the characters. If he did decide to sell the broadcasting rights to the
untitled "Trotter: Early Years" project, it would create huge interest from all of Britain's major broadcasters. The series gained the highest TV ratings of all time, with its Christmas special last year reaching an audience of 24 million. It has also collected more honours in the past three years than any other programme, with David Jason in particular picking up award after award
for his performance as Del Boy.

Mr Sullivan said: "I have had two book offers for the work. I love the characters. I adore them."

His agent said: "He has talked about it with the BBC, who have said it would be a good idea and other publishers are also saying it would be a good idea. The project has been a twinkle in his eye for quite a few years. Everyone agrees that it is a great idea and John wants to do it. He has been snowed under for months with Roger Roger (Sullivan's new BBC sitcom about taxi drivers) but has had some free time now. I know that the idea of it is in his mind, but I am not sure how well advanced the writing is."

Mr Sullivan, 52, whose first television hit was Citizen Smith, left school at 15 with no qualifications. He once said he would have become a dustman if it was not for an English teacher who inspired him to write.

The story of the Trotter family, living in Nelson Mandela House in Peckham, was quietly received at first, but a total of seven series were made and the repeats are still some of the most-watched programmes on television. In recent years, the Trotters have provided the BBC with Christmas specials, culminating in last year's final outing, when Del and Rodney became millionaires at last.
Source: Artilce from The Times 16th December 1997.