Only Fools and Horses was almost ruined as major star threatened to quit in 1986

Sir David Jason says that he lives in Del Boy's shadow

Only Fools and Horses dominated screens across the UK during its unforgettable run on BBC from 1981 until 2003.

With Sir David Jason starring in the iconic role of Del Boy, Nicholas Lyndhurst playing Rodney Trotter and Buster Merryfield as Uncle Albert, the sitcom quickly rose to prominence.

While it remains an integral piece of British comedy and is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated sitcoms in British history, Only Fools and Horses could’ve looked very different.

Throughout the show, fans were introduced to several different characters, including Jumbo Mills (played by Nick Stringer), who had found fortune after moving to Australia.

In the 1986 episode Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, he briefly returned to England and reunited with Del Boy.

Read more: Sir David Jason opens up on sad split from mother of his long-lost daughter

Del Boy almost moved to Australia with Jumbo Mills (Image: BBC)

After doing a deal with an old friend Boycie (Marlene Lane), Jumbo also offered Del Boy a partnership and said that he too would become a millionaire if he relocated.

It was recently reported that behind the scenes, Del Boy star David Jason wanted to leave the series and his character was initially going to be written out after moving to Australia.

As a result, producers intended to continue the series as Hot Rod with Nicholas in the lead role alongside the other main characters.

However, David changed his mind about leaving the show, and therefore Del decided not to go with Jumbo to Australia.

Only Fools and Horses aired until 2003 (Image: BBC) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241217.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Reflecting on the eventual end of Only Fools and Horses, David admitted to fans at a convention: “There was nowhere to go after the Trotters became millionaires and it all worked out.

“It was the end of a journey, and the journey was that struggle for survival, the struggle for the family, the way that they behaved.

“That interaction, and all of that stuff that made the Trotters ceased to exist once they had become millionaires, if you like,” the actor added.

Despite this, the sitcom was revived for three more Christmas specials between 2001 and 2003, depicting Del and Rodney losing all their money due to poor investments and returning to their flat in Mandela House in Peckham.

Only Fools and Horses was almost ruined as major star threatened to quit in 1986

Only Fools and Horses was almost ruined as major star threatened to quit in 1986

Only Fools and Horses was almost ruined as major star threatened to quit in 1986

Only Fools and Horses was almost ruined as major star threatened to quit in 1986

Only Fools and Horses was almost ruined as major star threatened to quit in 1986