The 'perfect ending' Only Fools and Horses should've had as BBC fans rage

Fans of Only Fools and Horses have expressed disappointment over how the beloved sitcom concluded, saying the series was "ruined”.

The iconic show, starring Sir David Jason as Del Boy Trotter and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney Trotter ran for seven series from 1981 and concluded in 2003.

Many fans vividly recall the finale, Sleepless in Peckham, which aired on December 25, 2003, and featured a poignant moment where Rodney visits his mother’s grave with his newborn daughter, Joan, named in her honour. Del joins him before leaving together for Nelson Mandela House.

However, some fans argue that Time on Our Hands was the show’s true ending.

The 1996 Christmas special saw the Trotters finally achieving their dream of becoming millionaires after discovering a rare antique watch.

It drew a record 24.3 million viewers and was initially intended to end the series until creator John Sullivan wrote three more specials between 2001 and 2003.

A clip from Sleepless in Peckham was shared, prompting fans to flood the comments with their opinions. The Only Fools and Horses Line Twitter account posted: “Was this the perfect ending for #OfAH?”

One person said: “Time in our Hands would have been the perfect ending. It was a masterpiece!” Another person wrote:

Another person wrote: “Del, Rodders & Unc walking off into the sunset as millionaires - couldn’t have been a more perfect ending. Won’t say the follow on’s tarnished its reputation but it was never the same, magic had gone.”

A third person added: “The perfect ending was the episode where they became millionaires. Completely get why it came back, but it wasn't quite the same.”

A fourth agreed: “It was a great scene but Time On Our Hands should have been the end.” A fifth person chimed in: "Time on our hands was the better ending but the last 3 where still brilliant and we're lucky we got another chance to watch ofah,"