As Gold prepare to celebrate their 25th birthday, the channel have today announced two brand new shows; David Jason: My Life On Screen and The Story of Only Fools & Horses.
UKTV have commissioned the two shows in tribute to one of the nation’s best-loved comedy actors and some of his most-iconic starring roles.
David Jason: My Life On Screen is an exclusive new three-part series which will see Sir David Jason look back at his incredible life in television for the first time. Told in his own words, the series promises to be a revealing, highly personal insight into the life and career of an actor, who has become an undisputed national treasure.
Sir David will talk about the comedy stars who inspired him, including the pivotal role his friend and mentor Ronnie Barker played in his career. He’ll also recall his first big television break, working alongside future Monty Python stars Michael Palin and Eric Idle on the comedy sketch show Do Not Adjust Your Set.
On top of all that, Sir David Jason will treat viewers to a tour of his childhood roots in Finchley and the theatres where he first trod the boards as well visits to the locations of some of his most well-known shows including, Only Fools & Horses, The Darling Buds of May and A Touch of Frost.
Speaking about the new series, Sir David Jason said "As my life on screen has now gathered variety and quantity, I am hoping that I can offer a documentary which gives the audience an accurate range of my work. Fingers crossed, it should make for an enjoyable programme to reflect the enjoyment I’ve had in making each and every show."
The Story of Only Fools & Horses is a new five-part series which aims to be the definitive story of Britain’s best-loved TV family. The series will feature rare and unseen footage from the Trotter archives as well as specially re-created moments from Del Boy’s family and friends.
Sir David Jason and other members of this tight-knit crew will analyse their favourite sequences, experiences and memories, giving viewers unprecedented access to John Sullivan’s Peckham-based masterpiece.
As well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how certain scenes arose and how stories developed to create those well-loved comedy moments.
Speaking about the series, Sir David Jason said "It has taken a lot of persuasion for me to take part in an official documentary about Only Fools & Horses but, as time has gone on, it seems to have been imprinted in television history and I thought it was only right that I tried to give an accurate insight into how the show was put together.
In doing so, I hope we can create a definitive programme which appeals to the many fans which have been the stalwarts of the show and are growing with the next generation. It should be fun!"
John Quinn, Executive Producer for The Story of Only Fools & Horses has said "Thanks to the late John Sullivan’s family, we have access to some exclusive behind-the-scenes material. Driven by first-hand insights and anecdotes by many of those who were there, including Sir David, this will be a fresh, we hope definitive, telling of the Only Fools & Horses story.”