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Only Fools and Horses

Episode 6 of 6

The series charting the history of comedy shows, and finding out what the teams who made them have gone on to do since, takes a look at Only Fools and Horses.

The series charting the history of some of Britain's best comedy shows turns its attention to Only Fools and Horses and follows the careers of David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst and writer John Sullivan.

Only Fools and Horses is a national institution. But without some twists and turns worthy of Del Boy himself it could have disappeared without trace, or worse still never happened at all.

John Sullivan might never even have written Only Fools and Horses if the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ had commissioned Over The Moon, the comedy Sullivan wrote after his first sitcom, Citizen Smith, came to an end. Extracts from the pilot of Over The Moon are screened for the first time ever. When the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ turned it down, Sullivan needed a new idea fast - and the idea he came up with was Only Fools and Horses.

Famously, the first series failed to pull in the punters and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ wanted to abandon the show. Now, the man who gave Only Fools and Horses a second chance finally admits that he wasn't making a brave decision; he just didn't have another idea in his head.

Featuring contributions from the late John Sullivan, original producer Ray Butt, and cast members David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Roger Lloyd Pack, John Challis and Sue Holderness.

30 minutes

Broadcast

Sitcom Season

Celebrating sitcoms with a season of programmes across the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.