You may not instantly recognise the name 'Nicholas Lyndhurst', but we can bet you’re familiar with his iconic Only Fools and Horses character Rodney Trotter.
Rodney, a Peckham-based slacker, was the younger brother of Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter (played by Sir David Jason) and worked for the family’s market trading business, Trotters Independent Traders.
Lyndhurst, 64, appeared on the beloved BBC sitcom from the very first episode, aired in 1981, up until the 2003 Christmas special 'Sleepless in Peckham'.
The actor, who largely remains out of the limelight, is obviously best known for his Only Fools and Horses stint, but has also appeared in episodes of Frasier and New Tricks.
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According to new reports, the Hampshire-born star is not onboard with a brand new reunion documentary - and here’s why experts think he’s opted out.
Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive, created by U&Gold, is set to feature never-seen-before footage that has been uncovered in the iconic sitcom's archive.
The upcoming show will consist of two, 60-minute episodes, featuring behind-the-scenes moments, and newly discovered images and clips of the Trotter family.
It’s stated that the docuseries will also feature a restored HD version of 'The Jolly Boys’ Outing', as per a press release.
Del Boy himself, as well as Cassandra actress Gwyneth Strong, and Steven Woodcock, who played Jevon, will all feature in interviews.
But Lyndhurst will not be involved in celebrating more than four decades of sitcom magic, according to The Telegraph.
Graham McCann, author of Only Fools and Horses: The Story of Britain’s Favourite Comedy, has mused on Lyndhurst’s absence.
He claimed that the actor’s non-appearance is neither ‘personal’, nor is it due long-rumoured tensions with other cast members.
“Privately, I think he’s on good terms with them,” he confessed to the outlet.
“He’s someone who sees a clear gap between himself and the characters he plays and he wants to concentrate on the here and now. When he finishes [a job] he finishes.”
McCann claimed that the actor perhaps felt ‘uncomfortable’ being ‘wheeled out to celebrate a character’ that debuted on the BBC 44 years ago.
“He prefers to stay private. I’m not aware of any actor who’s as extreme as he is in that regard,” McCann added. “That’s how he feels he needs to be to work as an actor.”
In his 2013 memoir, My Life, Jason claimed he was partially to ‘blame’ for any speculation that he and Lyndhurst were feuding.
“With Nick, I feel slightly to blame for some of this fake 'feud' news, because what's often used as supporting evidence in these stories is a tale I told in an earlier volume of these memoirs, about Nick and me having an enormous fight during a location shoot for Only Fools,” he wrote, as per The Express.
“We did have a huge row that day - a truly spectacular one. The kind of all-out, shouting, swearing, object-throwing barney that relationships often don't come back from.”
The Touch Of Frost star claimed that the ‘fight’ was a farce, describing it as just a ‘practical joke’ played on the rest of the cast and crew.
Following the death of Lyndhurst’s son, Archie, in 2020, it was reported by The Sun that Jason and his wife, Gill Hinchcliffe, had been a pillar of support for the actor.
At the time, a source told The Sun: "He's [David] been in regular touch [with Nicholas] ever since and like everyone else who cares for Nick and his family is just trying to provide whatever support he can.”
Speaking about Only Fools And Horses: The Lost Archive, Helen Nightingale, UKTV’s Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment, Commissioning, said: “Only Fools and Horses is part of the national DNA. With its humour, heart and unforgettable characters, it’s British comedy at its very best.
“This series is a celebration of its legacy and a chance to share new discoveries with the fans who’ve loved it for decades.”
Topics: TV, BBC, Celebrity, Documentaries
Ella Scott