Only Fools and Horses turned 45 on 8 September 2026, and the Trotters are back on screen for the anniversary. A two-part documentary, Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive, was announced for U&Gold in 2026, featuring Sir David Jason, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong and Sue Holderness.
From Peckham market to millionaires, Del Boy and Rodney gave Britain some of its best-loved TV moments. Here is the story of the nation's favourite sitcom. Explore more classic telly in our TV Series collection.
Only Fools and Horses Fact File
| Original run | 8 September 1981 – 25 December 2003 |
|---|---|
| Creator / writer | John Sullivan |
| Network | BBC One |
| Series / episodes | 7 series plus Christmas specials, 64 episodes in total |
| Main cast | David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Lennard Pearce, Buster Merryfield, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong |
| Setting | Peckham, south-east London (Nelson Mandela House) |
| Filmed | London in the early years, then largely Bristol |
Series
| Season/Year | Episodes/Release | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Series 1–3 (1981–83) | BBC One | The Trotters, Grandad and the famous chandelier |
| Series 4–5 (1985–86) | BBC One | Uncle Albert joins the family |
| Series 6–7 (1989–91) | BBC One | Del falls through the bar; Rodney marries Cassandra |
| Christmas 1996 | Three-part special | "Time on Our Hands" draws 24.35 million viewers |
| 2001–2003 | Christmas specials | The final three episodes |
Alongside the seven series, many of the best-remembered episodes were feature-length Christmas specials. In total the show ran to 64 episodes.
Peckham's Finest
John Sullivan wrote every episode of the show, which followed market trader Derek "Del Boy" Trotter (David Jason), his younger brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Grandad (Lennard Pearce), all crammed into a flat in Nelson Mandela House.
Sullivan even sang the theme tune himself. After Lennard Pearce died in 1984, Buster Merryfield joined as Uncle Albert.
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From London to Bristol
The early series were filmed in London, but from the late 1980s the production moved largely to Bristol, with a tower block in Ashton standing in for Nelson Mandela House.
Classic moments came thick and fast, from the falling chandelier in "A Touch of Glass" to Del's unforgettable lean at the bar in "Yuppy Love".
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Britain's Biggest Sitcom Audience
The 1996 Christmas trilogy ended with "Time on Our Hands", in which the Trotters finally become millionaires. It was watched by 24.35 million people, still the biggest UK audience for a sitcom episode.
In 2004 a BBC public vote named it Britain's Best Sitcom, ahead of Blackadder.
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The Legacy Lives On
The world of the Trotters continued in The Green Green Grass (2005–2009) and the prequel Rock & Chips (2010–2011), and Only Fools and Horses The Musical opened at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2019.
Awards
BAFTA TV Awards
- Best Comedy Series at the 1986, 1989 and 1997 ceremonies
- David Jason: individual BAFTAs in 1990 and 1996
Other Honours
- National Television Award for Most Popular Comedy Series (1997)
- Voted Britain's Best Sitcom by BBC viewers (2004)
Behind the Scenes
Sir David Jason, born on 2 February 1940, is now 86 and was knighted in 2005. Bristol locations from the later series still attract fans, and the 45th anniversary documentary revisits the show's archive with members of the original cast.
FAQs
How many episodes of Only Fools and Horses are there?
There are 64 episodes in total, across seven series and a run of Christmas specials from 1981 to 2003.
Where was Only Fools and Horses filmed?
Early series were filmed in London; from the late 1980s much of the filming moved to Bristol.
Where is Only Fools and Horses set?
In Peckham, south-east London, with the Trotters living in the fictional Nelson Mandela House.
Who wrote Only Fools and Horses?
John Sullivan wrote every episode and also sang the theme tune.
What was the most-watched episode?
"Time on Our Hands" (1996), watched by 24.35 million viewers, the UK's biggest sitcom audience.
How old is David Jason?
Sir David Jason was born on 2 February 1940, so he is 86.
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