Sir David Jason sets record straight on retirement after feeling 'empty'

By Jennie Buzaglo, Showbiz Reporter

Sir David Jason feared he would be forced into retirement (Image: Getty)

Sir David Jason admitted he felt "empty" during the COVID-19 pandemic and feared it would force him into retirement.

The 84-year-old actor, famed for his role as Del Boy Trotter in British sitcom Only Fools and Horses, revealed he found lockdown "really difficult" to cope with as he reflected on the impacts of the global pandemic in his book, David Jason: This Time Next Year.

He wrote: "Being occupied has always suited me far better than being unoccupied. And during that period, in the place where work had been, there was nothing, unless you count staring mournfully out of the window and sighing quite a lot.

"I think one of the reasons that the emptiness of that period sent a shiver down my spine was that it felt like a dry run for retirement."

Sir David opened up about the struggles he faced during lockdown (Image: Getty Images)

Sir David explained how most actors don't choose to retire, but instead "get retired" by producers, casting directors and even the public.

He continued: "These will be the people eventually telling you that the time has come and that you are now surplus to requirements. And accordingly, because retirement is outside our control, it's truly a chilly prospect for nearly everyone in my trade."

The A Touch of Frost star revealed there are few actors he knows of that were able to retire off their own bat, however, one exception to the rule was his close friend Ronnie Barker.

He explained: "Ronnie, entirely of his own volition, began his retirement promptly on New Year's Day 1988. It was thoroughly planned in advance."

Sir David shared how Ronnie, who died at the age of 76 in 2005, set his retirement date two years earlier and only told a handful of people about his plans.

Sir David is famed for his role as Del Boy Trotter (Image: BBC)

The Porridge star couldn't hide his sadness over the decision, adding: "I was really disappointed when I heard the plan because I felt it was far too soon for a man of Ronnie's talents to be stepping down."

Sir David also reflected on his incredible career in his memoir, recalling one particular show that he hopes fans never see.

He joked: "Have you ever seen Two D’s and a Dog? I hope you haven’t, in a way… it's not, shall we say, the most glittering of baubles on the decorated tree which is my career in show business."