Sir David Jason shares heartbreaking health struggle as he's forced to make sacrifices

Only Fools and Horses icon Sir David Jason has revealed he is no longer able to fly - and has shared the health issues that have forced him to abandon the hobby

Sir David Jason has lamented he is no longer fit to fly - and has been forced to surrender his pilot licence.

The 84-year-old comedy legend used to enjoy flying a Robinson R44 helicopter but has been forced to give up the keys to his personal flying device. Sir David - famous to millions for his iconic TV roles including Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter in Only Fools and Horses and DI Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost - got his license in 2005.

But due to a string of health issues, the star has now had to give up his license after almost 20 years of enjoying the freedom to roam the skies. Sir David has endured hip replacement surgery - and has also complained of pain in his knees and legs as he grows older.

The actor - who began his career on the small screen in 1965 and has also featured in big screen films including Royal Flash and The Odd Job - has also expressed his concerns about his memory. He has also expressed gratitude for other areas of health - celebrating the fact he still possesses a great power over sight and sound.

He told the Sunday Times: "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."

He also opened up about missing his daughter, Sophie Mae, 23, who he shares with his wife Gill Honchcliffe as she has moved out of the family home. 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!"

Earlier this year, Sir David opened up about his desire not to retire - and expressed regret over never making it to perform on one of the UK's most famous stages. He gushed to BBC Breakfast last month: "I'm just addicted to work. And some people get addicted to alcohol, some stupid devils get addicted to drugs, and I'm addicted I suppose to an audience and want to make people laugh and enjoy themselves."

And he added: "My real disappointment or regret, if you like, is I always wanted to be a National Theatre player. I always wanted to be on the stage of the National Theatre. It was just that romantic image of playing those big productions with all those big, wonderful actors. That never happened."

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.