...as a second series charts Sir David Jason's career

Sir David Jason is to be the subject of two separate retrospective series on the Gold channel, Chortle can reveal.

Broadcaster UKTV has commissioned the three-part series  David Jason: My Life On Screen and the comprehensive five-part Story Of Only Fools & Horses.

This latter series promises rare and unseen footage from the Trotter archives, alongside cast and crew reminiscing their favourite scenes.

Sir David said: ‘It has taken a lot of persuasion for me to take part in an official documentary about Only Fools & Horses but, as time has gone on, it seems to have been imprinted in television history and I thought it was only right that I tried to give an accurate insight into how the show was put together. 

‘In doing so, I hope we can create a definitive programme which appeals to the many fans which have been the stalwarts of the show and are growing with the next generation.  It should be fun.’

John Quinn, executive producer for North One TV said the family of writer John Sullivan had given his team access to exclusive behind-the-scenes material.  He added: ‘Driven by first-hand insights and anecdotes by many of those who were there, including Sir David, this will be a fresh, we hope definitive, telling of the Only Fools & Horses story.’

Meanwhile, Sir David will talk about the comedy stars who inspired him, including the pivotal role mentor Ronnie Barker played in his career, in the series My Life On Screen.

He’ll recall his first big television break, working alongside future Monty Python stars Michael Palin and Eric Idle on the sketch show Do Not Adjust Your Set;  tour his childhood roots in Finchley and the theatres where he first trod the boards; and visit locations of some of his most well-known shows.

He said: ‘As my life on screen has now gathered variety and quantity, I am hoping that I can offer a documentary which gives the audience an accurate range of my work.  Fingers crossed, it should make for an enjoyable programme to reflect the enjoyment I’ve had in making each and every show."

UKTV’s senior commissioning editor Iain Coyle, who ordered both shows, said: What a day. I’m just so immensely proud to be working with a television icon in Sir David Jason, paying tribute to a British cultural phenomenon in Only Fools & Horses and the extraordinary legacy of  John Sullivan.’

David Jason: My Life On Screen will be executive produced by Mark Robinson for Shiver, a subsidiary of ITV Studios.

Published: 19 Jan 2017