Sir David Jason gives up his helicopter due to hip pain

18 November 2024

Sir David Jason has been forced to give up flying up his helicopter due to hip pain.

Sir David Jason is no longer able to fly his helicopter

The 'Only Fools and Horses' legend, 84, became a qualified helicopter pilot in 2005 and used to regularly fly his own Robinson R44 aircraft but he's now confirmed he is no longer able to take to the skies due to mobility issues and hip-replacement surgery last year.

He told the Sunday Times newspaper he has become "increasingly uncomfortable in the air [due to] migrating [pains in his hips, knees and legs]."

David added of his health issues: "[My] memory isn’t what it used to be ... Most of us reach this point when things aren’t quite as bright as they used to be.

"Mind you, I don’t wear a hearing aid, I don’t wear glasses, and I’ve only had to replace one bit of my body [a hip replacement], so I’m not doing too bad, thank you."

In the interview, David went on to talk about his life at home revealing he's been suffering from empty nest syndrome after his daughter Sophie-Mae - his only child with wife Gill Hinchcliffe - moved out earlier this year to set up home with her boyfriend.

He said: "There’s been a loss and a change. Now I can get into her bedroom without needing a bulldozer to clear the route. She was never the tidiest of little people but, having said that, yeah we do miss her. We miss not having an empty fridge!"

David is also dad to 53-year-old actress Abi Harris but he didn't discover he was her father until two years ago after she wrote to him sharing her suspicion that she was conceived during a brief relationship with her mother in the 1970s.

He's now revealed the pair are building a strong family relationship despite so many years apart. David added: "It was very nerve-racking, but we got over that and have been working and building a relationship ever since.

"Abi was only here about a week ago. We had a birthday party for her and her lad [son Charlie]. I’m not a great game player, but that’s all Charlie loves to do.

"Him and my wife and daughter, as soon as they get here, they sit around the table, get the games out, and they’re off.”