Sir David Jason admits he has ‘drifted apart’ from Only Fools and Horses co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst

Sir David Jason has admitted he has ‘drifted apart’ from his former Only Fools and Horses co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst. The duo played Del Boy and Rodney in the show, and were one of the most loved comedy partnerships on television.

Sir David, 82, admits his ex co-star is now more ‘self-contained’ than he was once and that he doesn’t get to see him as much as would like. The show aired for more than 20 years, airing from 1981 until 2003.

Lyndhurst, who is 21 years younger than Sir David, has endured a tough couple of years. His son Archie, 19, died from a brain haemorrhage caused by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Speaking to Radio Times, Sir David said: “He’s much more – how can I say? – self- contained, perhaps, than he used to be. So, unfortunately, we don’t see each other as much as I would like to. But that’s how things work out sometimes.”

Only Fools was a turning point for their careers, and Sir David sometimes admits that he misses it, saying “I miss it [Only Fools] terribly. It wasn’t like going to work; it was going to have some fun with your mates. We loved each other.”

Despite the show ending over 20 years ago, he admits he has kept some of Del Boy’s outfits such as the famous oxblood leather bomber jacket. Sir David also admitted he sometimes revives the much loved character.

He said: “I do morph into Del sometimes to make people laugh. I enjoy it. I realise it’s a pretty low shot, but it makes life easier for me on occasion. When I meet people sometimes, they’re a bit stiff and awkward to get on with!”