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Sir David Jason has recalled the errant plot decision that precipitated the end of Only Fools and Horses.

The actor, 84, played cockney wheeler-dealer Del Boy across seven seasons and sixteen Christmas specials between 1981 and 2003.

Speaking at a fan convention, Jason singled out the 1996 Christmas special “Time On Our Hands” as the moment that ultimately stifled the long-running sitcom – by making Del Boy and Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) millionaires.

“There was nowhere to go after the Trotters became millionaires and it all worked out,” Jason said (per The Mirror). “It was the end of a journey and the journey was that struggle for survival, the struggle for the family, the way that they behaved, that interaction and all of that stuff that made the Trotters ceased to exist once they had become millionaires, if you like.”

After Del Boy and Rodney were given their happy ending, Only Fools and Horses nonetheless returned for three further Christmas specials.

In the 2001-2003 episodes, written by John Sullivan, the duo were sent back to their flat in Peckham after losing their fortune.

“It wasn’t that John had run out of steam so much, but he was so used to working mentally with all of the characters, the style of the cut and thrust of learning to survive on the edge of disaster, as it were,” Jason said.

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In an interview earlier this year, Jason’s co-star star Sue Holderness issued a defence of a “controversial” episode of Only Fools and Horses that tackled transracial adoption.

The episode in question was the season five premiere “From Prussia with Love”, in which Del Boy attempts to sell a baby born to a pregnant German woman to Boycie (John Challis) and Marlene (Holderness).

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When the couple learn that the baby is mixed race, they pull out of the adoption.

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Speaking on the Only Fools and Horses Podcast, Holderness said:“It’s a very controversial episode now because everybody’s being so careful about what they say about everything. There have been many people who have said they don’t want to see that episode anymore or suggested that maybe you shouldn’t see that episode.

“But when I say many people, it’s probably about three.”

She continued: “Very little in Only Fools is offensive to anybody, I think. It’s the love of family that is so overwhelming… It’s so lovely that there is so much love out there still for the show.

“And I think that’s part of the reason for that. You know, this family, though his business dealings weren’t always absolutely as they should be, but you know, they don’t drink and drive, they don’t take drugs, they don’t swear. It’s gorgeous family entertainment. We miss it.”

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Fans of Strictly Come Dancing have made an appeal to producers after the series’ first live show of 2024.

As announced last week, former Arsenal/England player Paul Merson paid homage to his sport by performing the intriguing combination of an American Smooth dance to the popular football chant song “Vindaloo” by Fat Les on Saturday night (21 September).

The performance was dubbed “special” and “different” by the BBC dance competition’s judges. But viewers at home have criticised the unexpected song choice for making Merson the “laughing stock” of the season.

“The only couple to do an American Smooth to an atrocious song choice so this will stick out like a sore thumb,” one person wrote on X/Twitter. “I hate how the producers are setting Paul up for a fall here. At least he won’t be going home this week.”

Another viewer added: “Who’s idea was it to make Paul the laughing stock of this season? I feel for him and for Karen as well.”

Meanwhile, a third fan demanded: “Stop making the middle-aged ex-footballer the automatic ‘joke’ act and just teach them how to dance, Strictly!”

It comes shortly after reports that the “Vindaloo” song choice had disappointed Merson when it was announced on Strictly’s pre-recorded show last week.

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Viewers saw Paul look surprised when the track was revealed during the pairing show as he questioned: “What dance is it again?”

Making light of the situation, his partner Karen Hauer responded: “It’s an American Smooth but it might be bumpier than that.”

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A source told the Mail Online that the former footballer’s reaction had to be “re-recorded” due to his negative response.

“You can’t blame him for thinking he is being set up to the joke act,” they said. “But also the connotations of it [the song] are also not exactly positive either.”

The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.

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Anton Du Beke praised Hauer for her “genius choreography” that made the most of the unusual song and dance pairing on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Craig Revel Horwood told Merson he was “pigeon-toed and flat footed” and Motsi Mabuse said she “couldn’t recognise” the dance as an American Smooth.

The ex-footballer received a score of 17 out of a possible 40 points from the Strictly judges. He will dance again next weekend when public voting – and the first elimination of the series – begins.

“Merse was never going to be the best dancer,” one fan reflected. “But making him do an American Smooth to ‘Vindaloo’ is a massive, massive stitch up.”

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Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is here, with all the stars paired up with their respective pro dancers.

The reality competition series returned to our screens on 14 September, with a launch show in which the celebrity contestants learnt which professional dancers they would be coupled up with.

Meet your Strictly Come Dancing couples below…

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell

Comedian and actor Chris McCausland, 47, is making history as the show’s first ever blind contestant.

The star, who’s appeared on panel shows including Have I Got News for You and Would I Lie to You?, is paired with Dianne Buswell, who’s been with Strictly since 2017.

Buswell, 35, reached the final in 2018 with Joe Sugg (who she has been in a relationship with ever since), and then again in 2023 with Bobby Brazier.

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JB Gill and Amy Dowden

The 37-year-old first rose to fame for being in boyband, JLS. Outside of music, he’s made a successful career in TV presenting.

He’ll be paired with fan favourite Amy Dowden, who will be returning for her first show following her experience with stage three breast cancer. Dowden, who has been with the show since 2017, was told there was “no evidence of the disease” in February.

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Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas

EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, 30, has already won a Strictly Christmas Special, which may frustrate some purist fans.

He’ll be dancing with Michelle Tsiakkas, 28, who joined the show in 2022. She has been dancing since she was six in her home country of Cyprus.

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Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe

You may recognise Olympian multi-sport athlete Montell Douglas as Fire from the 2024 Gladiators reboot.

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She’ll be paired with Johannes Radebe. He’s been with the show since 2021, and has since been coupled up with celebrities including chef John Waite and tennis player Annabel Croft, the latter of whom credits him with helping her process grief after the death of her husband.

Although he hasn’t lifted the Glitterball trophy yet, this could be the year it happens.

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Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk

DIY SOS star Nick Knowles is best known for starring on the popular home improvement show. He’ll be paired with Luba Mushtuk, 34, who’s been with Strictly since 2018. She won the Christmas special that same year with Shane Lynch.

She’s since been partnered with NFL player Jason Bell and Waterloo Road and Emmerdale star Adam Thomas. Although Mushtuk has not made it past week three of the main competition yet, this might be the year that all changes.

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Paul Merson and Karen Hauer

Ex-footballer and pundit Paul Merson will be swapping the studio for the ballroom as he hopes to lift the Glitterball trophy this year.

The Sky Sports pundit will be partnered with Karen Hauer, the show’s longest serving female professional. She started on Strictly in 2012 with Westlife singer Nick Byrne. Over the years, she’s got closer to lifting the trophy, reaching the final of the competition with Jamie Laing in 2020.

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Pete Wicks and Jowitza Przystal

The Only Way is Essex star Pete Wicks is dancing with Jowita Przystał. Wicks rose to fame for his blunt and irreverent persona on the reality show.

Przystal joined Strictly in 2021, rapidly making a name for herself by winning the Glitterball trophy with her first ever celebrity dance partner, Hamza Yassin in 2022. Last year, she danced with Paralympian Jody Cundy.

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Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez

TV doctor Punam Krishan has swapped the doctor’s surgery for the dancefloor this autumn. She will be dancing with Gorka Márquez, who joined in 2016 and has reached the final twice: once with singer Alexandra Burke, and another time with presenter Helen Skelton.

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Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec

Former Love Islander Ghouri is a trained dancer, who has ruffled feathers as some fans believe she may have an unfair advantage over her peers.

She is partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec – but his return was claimed to have caused unease due to an alleged past altercation with another professional who dances on the show.

Škorjanec won the show with Abby Clancy the same year he debuted in 2013. In 2017, he made it to the final with Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson.

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Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova

Olympic gold medallist Tom Dean is partnered with Nadiya Bychkova.

Bychkova joined the show in 2017 and has been in a relationship with fellow professional and fan-favourite Kai Widdrington. She’s been partnered with Blue singer Lee Ryan and singer-songwriter Matthew Goss in the past.

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Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones

Punk-rock legend Toyah Willcox is best known for her hit singles, but she’s also had a career in acting and dancing.

The 66-year-old is partnered with Neil Jones, who has been part of the Strictly family since 2016. However, he had to wait until 2019 to be paired with a celebrity. He’s danced with Alex Scott and Nina Wadia, but hasn’t yet made it past the quarter-finals.

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Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin

Olympic gold medal-winning hockey champion Sam Quek is dancing with Celebrity Big Brother finalist Nikita Kuzmin.

The 25-year-old joined the show’s lineup in 2021, partnering with Tilly Ramsay in his debut and then Ellie Symonds in 2022. In 2023, he partnered with actor and singer Layton Williams, and they reached the final before losing out to Coronation Street star Ellie Leach.

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Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola

Comedian Sarah Hadland, known for her roles in Horrible Histories and Miranda, is dancing with Vito Coppola. The 53-year-old already has a little dancing experience like her fellow contestant Tasha Ghouri, having danced ballet since she was three.

After joining the show in 2022, Coppola had a rapid rise to success, winning the competition the year afterwards with his partner Ellie Leach.

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Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu

Singer and actor Shayne Ward is dancing with Nancy Xu. The 39-year-old first shot to fame after winning the second season of the X Factor in 2005.

In 2021, Xu performed with her first ever celebrity dance partner and CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson, making it all the way to a tense semi-final.

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Wynne Evans and Katya Jones

You may not recognise Evans immediately but he’s most well-known for being the opera talent behind GoCompare adverts since 2009.

He’s partnered with Katya Jones, who’s been with the show since 2016. She won the show in 2017, with her partner Joe McFadden. In 2018, she was embroiled in a scandal over kissing her celeb partner Seann Walsh.

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