Only Fools and Horses Legend Urges BBC to Leave Classic Sitcom Untouched
Tessa Peake-Jones, the acclaimed actress who portrayed Raquel Turner in the iconic BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, has firmly stated that the beloved series should never be revived or rebooted. As the show approaches its 45th anniversary this year, Peake-Jones described the comedy as a "jewel" that is "best left alone," warning against any attempts to "fiddle about" with its legacy.
A Sitcom That Defined Generations
Only Fools and Horses first aired in 1981 and quickly became a ratings powerhouse for the BBC, running for an impressive 22 years until its final episode in 2003. The show follows the hilarious escapades of the Trotter family, led by the smooth-talking market trader Derek "Del Boy" Trotter, played by Sir David Jason, and his naïve younger brother Rodney, portrayed by Nicholas Lyndhurst. Set in the vibrant neighborhood of Peckham, the series is renowned for its memorable catchphrases like "This time next year, we'll be millionaires," "Lovely jubbly," and "Cushty."
Peake-Jones, now 68, joined the cast in 1988 as Del Boy's love interest and eventual wife, Raquel Turner, rising to fame through her role. In a recent interview with The Express, she emphasized the timeless appeal of the sitcom, noting that it continues to attract new audiences across generations. "We get letters from youngsters all the time saying, 'Oh, my granddad watched this show', or 'My parents watched this, and they loved it', so it passes down the generations," she shared.
Why Reboots Rarely Work for Classics
The actress expressed strong reservations about the possibility of a revival, citing the unique genius of writer John Sullivan, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 64. "I don't think you could ever repeat that, and I hope they don't," Peake-Jones stated. "Some reboots, or when they've brought everyone back for a prequel, just haven't worked."
She praised Sullivan as "the genius behind the show," suggesting that his absence makes any attempt to recreate the magic futile. Peake-Jones's comments come amid a trend of television networks revisiting classic series, but she believes Only Fools and Horses should remain untouched to preserve its integrity and cultural significance.
Reflecting on the Past Through a New Documentary
Despite her aversion to a reboot, Peake-Jones is set to reunite with fellow cast members for a documentary series titled Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive, which will air on U&Gold later this year to commemorate the 45th anniversary. The documentary will feature behind-the-scenes footage, new material, and previously unseen clips from the series.
However, Peake-Jones admitted that revisiting the past has been an emotional and somewhat challenging experience. "It was a bit like torture to be forced to sit on the sofa and watch this stuff back from 30 years ago, it really was," she confessed. "You're looking back at something 30 years ago, and we're all a lot older now, so you just look so different. You think, 'Oh, we were in our prime', which is quite a weird thing to be witnessing decades later."
She also spent a day filming with Sir David Jason for the documentary, noting that it was particularly difficult for him to look back on footage from 40 years ago. "He said, 'Isn't it odd to see yourself looking so much younger?'" Peake-Jones recalled, highlighting the bittersweet nature of revisiting such a pivotal part of their careers.
The Legacy Continues Beyond the Original Series
While the original series has concluded, its influence has extended through various spin-offs and adaptations. After Only Fools and Horses ended, John Sullivan wrote two related shows for the BBC: The Green Green Grass, which followed characters Boycie and Marlene as they moved to Shropshire and aired from 2005 to 2009, and a prequel miniseries called Rock & Chips, set in the 1960s and broadcast in 2010.
Additionally, a musical adaptation co-written by and starring Paul Whitehouse opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2019 and toured across the UK and Ireland in 2024 and 2025, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the Trotter family's stories.
As fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming documentary, Peake-Jones's heartfelt plea serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between honoring a classic and risking its legacy through unnecessary revivals. Her words resonate with many who believe that some treasures are best preserved in their original form, untouched by the passage of time or the lure of modern reboots.
