Sir David Jason was deeply moved while watching never-before-seen footage from the classic BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses for a forthcoming documentary series.
A Poignant Reunion for The Lost Archive
The beloved actor, famous for his portrayal of market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter, recently reunited with his on-screen partner Tessa Peake-Jones. Peake-Jones played Raquel Turner, who eventually became Del Boy's wife. The pair came together to film Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive, a two-part docuseries for BBC Two.
This special series will feature stars of the show reacting to previously unseen material from over 10 classic episodes. The footage was discovered in a drawer at the BBC and includes cut scenes, outtakes, and moments where filming went wrong.
'We Were So Young': A Heartbreaking Confession
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, Tessa Peake-Jones revealed the emotional impact the viewing had on Sir David. "David Jason was very, very poignant about it," she shared. "There was one bit where he was like, 'Oh, we were so young and so successful then.' It's quite depressing."
Peake-Jones, also known for her role in Grantchester, admitted she found the experience strange as well. "You're seeing yourself decades ago. It's very peculiar," she said, acknowledging she understood Jason's heartfelt sentiment.
Scenes Cut Because They 'Weren't Funny'
The actress provided fascinating insight into why some of this footage never made it to broadcast. According to her, Sir David pointed out that certain lengthy scenes were removed during the original editing process simply because they were not deemed funny enough.
"The scenes that were cut were quite long scenes that were quite sad or moving," Peake-Jones explained. "I think when editing they thought, 'This just isn't funny enough,' but people are going to see it now." This revelation promises to give fans a new, more nuanced perspective on the beloved characters and the show's production.
The docuseries, Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive, is scheduled to air on U&Gold later in 2026, although an exact broadcast date has not yet been confirmed.
