David Jason almost quit Only Fools and Horses 17 years before show's finale

• TV
• Only Fools and Horses

Sir David Jason has become a household name thanks to his role as Del Boy in the hit BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, but the actor almost once quit the show entirely

David Jason nearly quit Only Fools and Horses.

The actor reportedly almost hung up his boots during the show's heyday. The 84-year-old played Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter in the BBC sitcom that aired from 1981 to 1991, with several Christmas specials until the finale conclusion in 2003.

There was nearly a different fate for David's character when he considered leaving the show in 1986. As he pondered his exit, head writer John Sullivan penned a potential finale titled Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

This episode did air, but it was set to have a completely different ending. It introduced a character named Jumbo Mills who returns to Peckham after supposedly striking it rich in Australia.

David's character Del Boy almost moved to Australia(Image: (Image: BBC))

The original plan was for Jumbo to entice Del to join him in Australia to make his fortune, allowing David a break and setting up the series to continue without him. Rumours suggest that producers were considering making Nicholas Lyndhurst the star of a new version of the show, Hot Rod, centred around his character Rodney.

However, David chose to stick with the series and the episode ended with Del turning down Jumbo's enticing offer to relocate Down Under, reports the Express.

Jason's fans often associate him with Del Boy, despite his other acting credits(Image: (Image: BBC))

Jason has also previously spoken about his connection to the character of Del Boy, despite his long acting career in other roles. Many associate the star with his Only Fools and Horses character, but David was quick to point out that he has "done so many other things".

He said: "I'm delighted in one way that it's reached so many people and they've enjoyed what I've done with the character, but I've done so many other things that everybody seems to have forgotten about. It's like I've only ever played Derek Trotter."

David has admitted that he "doesn't think they could do another episode" of the show(Image: (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock))

Jason has also shut down the idea of an Only Fools and Horses comeback: "I don't think we could do another episode of Only Fools and Horses because the brains behind it, Mr John Sullivan, is unfortunately no longer with us."

Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here

Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter