Sir David Jason reveals honest thoughts on Ronnie Barker

The star best known for his role as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses worked with Barker on the BBC series Open All Hours.
The actors first worked together on Hark at Barker in 1969 before coming together again to star in Open All Hours, which ran for four series.
In 2005, Ronnie died aged 76 after retiring from television in 1988 when he was just 59.
Speaking to The Times, Sir David opened up about working with Ronnie, sharing: "I was going to say Ronnie was always up to no good but that's unfair; he was great fun and he was great company.
"Whenever I'm working or with people, if anything happens to make me laugh, I often am reminded of working with Ronnie."
The actor added: "I have such fond memories of his off-screen stuff that nobody else can ever see.
"One day, we were at rehearsals for Open All Hours, and Ronnie and I did something that was not in the script.
"Whatever it was, we made ourselves laugh — fall about laughing — and as we came off the set Ronnie was still giggling away and he said to me, 'Aren't we lucky to be doing something that makes us laugh and we're getting paid for it?'
"That very moment has stuck with me forever."
Alongside his work in Open All Hours, Ronnie was known for his role as Norman Stanley Fletcher in Porridge, set in the fictional HMP Slade.
Recommended Reading
Sir David Jason reprises Only Fools and Horses' Del Boy in a surprise appearance
Only Fools and Horses star Sir David Jason admits 'it's over now' due to health
Sir David Jason admits the one 'disappointment' he had with own beloved show
When Ronnie announced his retirement in 1988, it came as a shock to many, including Sir David.
Writing in his autobiography, This Time Next Year, Sir David said: "I felt it was far too soon for a man of Ronnie's talents to be stepping down... but there was nothing I or anyone else could do or say to change his mind.
"He was adamant, and it was hard to challenge him on it because I knew he had his own personal reasons for being so. Put bluntly, he feared the work might one day kill him."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Record

an hour ago

• Daily Record

David Beckham's tribute to Prince William as Brooklyn gets closer to Harry and Meghan

David Beckham paid tribute to the Prince of Wales on his 43rd birthday. Fresh from his good news last week on his long-awaited knighthood, David Beckham is keeping in close contact with his friends in the Royal Family. The football star joined a host of tributes to Prince William as he celebrated his 43rd birthday today (Saturday, June 21). Becks took to his Instagram stories to share two heartfelt posts to congratulate the Prince of Wales. The dad of four shared a snap of him and the royal as they laughed together at an event with a caption: 'Happy Birthday Prince William,' adding a kiss emoji to boot. Beckham then posted another picture, this time of him shaking William's hand, with another 'Happy Birthday' caption followed by a love heart emoji. ‌ Beckham's warm wishes for the prince were extended to wife Kate Middleton as the former Manchester United star tagged the official Prince and Princess of Wales account. ‌ Earlier this month David was finally honoured with a knighthood for his services to sport and charity. His good news came amid the kind of family drama his friend William can relate to, after ongoing reports about a rift between David, Victoria and their eldest son Brooklyn, 26, and wife Nicola Peltz. Tensions were only thought to have been made worse last month when Brooklyn and Nicola, 30, were spotted socialising with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The pair, who have just bought their first permanent home together in Los Angeles, were then reported to have met up with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at their mansion in Montecito, California. According to Mail Online, the two women engaged in a "deep and meaningful" chat and shared a bond after both being branded 'homewreckers' who 'tear apart" their husbands' families. ‌ The couple's decision to rub shoulders with Harry and Meghan, who are also embroiled in a high-profile feud with the Royal Family, has sparked comparisons between the two couples. David and Victoria have been 'blindsided' by the developing relationship, according to the Sun. As we reported previously, they were thought to have been friends with the Sussexes until a row where Meghan allegedly claimed Victoria had been leaking stories about her to the press. ‌ Meghan accused Victoria of 'indiscretion' - resulting in a tense phone call between Prince Harry and David. In his book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors, Tom Bower said: "Harry's instability fed Meghan's fears that friends were leaking stories to the media. In particular, she suspected Victoria Beckham of indiscretion. ‌ "Harry called David Beckham to repeat the accusation. Outraged, Beckham's truthful denials damaged their relationship." The Beckhams have reportedly been struggling to cope with the strained relationship with their eldest son, which was further exacerbated by Brooklyn's decision to skip his father's 50th birthday celebrations, leaving David "devastated". Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

Premier League legend is 'latest star to join Strictly Come Dancing 2025'

Football fans could see a familiar face on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor this year - as former Leeds player Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has reportedly been signed to compete on the BBC show With the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing just weeks away from launching, more stars are being linked to the show - with a premiere league icon the latest to be tipped to star. Former Leeds United star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is said to be swapping soccer for sequins as a contestant on the long-running BBC show. The 53-year-old Dutch sportsman stands to be the latest in a long line of football legends to take to the Strictly dancefloor. He would follow the likes of Robbie Savage, Alex Scott and Tony Adams to bid for Glitterball Trophy victory. ‌ The former striker was hired as a coach for the England national team in 2023, but stepped away from responsibilities in August last year following manager Gareth Southgate's exit last August. With time on his hands, it is suggested Jimmy could be among the celebrities taking part in Strictly this year. ‌ A source told The Sun: 'Jimmy has a huge fanbase from his years playing in the Premier League and is a very likeable character. Show producers are always keen to book a retired footballer as it gets footie fans tuning into the series and becoming unlikely fans of the show. "Jimmy has a competitive edge and is going to get his head in the game.' The Mirror has contacted representatives of Jimmy and the BBC for comment. Olympian Sir Mo Farah, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - better known as Nitro - and former Big Brother contestant Yinrun Huang are among stars tipped to appear in the upcoming new season. Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are all set to return for the 2025 season - which will be the 23rd in the long history of the show. But after the past two years, bosses are said to be worried about fresh scandal hitting the show. Stirctly has been dragged into disrepute in recent years amid accusations that professional dancers have been physically abusive to their celebrity dance partners. While the celebs have also been accused of offensive behaviour. ‌ Earlier this year, it was reported BBC bosses are practically paralyzed by a "terrible, terrible fear" that more scandal will hit the show - and there have been attempts to clean up the image of the series - and this could also impact star signings. It has been suggested the BBC are taking steps to go risk free and leaving no stone unturned to make sure the line-up is as safe as possible for the 2025 season. Blue Peter presenters Joel Mawhinney and Shini Muthukrishnan are said to be under consideration - as is Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla. Georgia Toffolo - the I'm a Celebrity Jungle Queen - is reportedly being lined up, as is Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts. Newly married former Love Island star Dani Dyer is being considered, it has been reported, with former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan another name high up on bosses' list. ‌ "There is a terrible, terrible fear among those high up that these awful things are going to keep happening and the show will be brought into disrepute again and again," one well-place BBC insider has told MailOnline. "With that in mind, they are taking no chances. "There will be stringent checks, and asking around, and digging into potential stars' backgrounds to make sure that they're not choosing anyone who might damage the show. For years, there was the whole Strictly 'curse' where the contestants and professionals kept having affairs. But that stopped. "Changes were made to the partnerships and it worked. There have been other issues in the past couple of years, though. What's been even more embarrassing for the BBC is that Wynne and Jamie have been from their own stable of stars. Going forward, those at the top want a wholesome image to shine through. No more scandal – just joy." The report came after 2024 contestant Jamie Borthwick, who is known for playing Jay Brown in the BBC soap EastEnders, was forced to issue a groveling apology after footage was reportedly uncovered showing him making derogatory comments about the people of Blackpool.

Glasgow Times

2 hours ago

• Glasgow Times

Oscar Branning to return to EastEnders after eight years

Oscar Branning, the son of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), will be played by Pierre Moullier. The now 17-year-old Oscar was previously portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall. Moullier's debut comes as on-screen father Max, played by Jake Wood, is also rumoured to return later in 2025. Moullier said: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square. 'When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet. 'Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy.' Producers have kept the reason for his return secret, but say it will be revealed when his older sister, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), receives a mysterious call, with Oscar's return set to 'turn her life upside down'. EastEnders new executive producer Ben Wadey, said: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up. 'Oscar is very much a Branning which means there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer. 'We're delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can't wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.' Oscar last appeared in the show when he visited Max on Father's Day in 2017, before returning to Exeter, where he lived with his mother. The character is expected to return to Albert Square next month, with Moullier already filming scenes for the show. Recommended reading: Jake Wood - EastEnders return Jake Wood will make his return as Max Branning later this year. (Image: BBC) Jake Wood, who plays the role of Max Branning, will reportedly be arriving back on the BBC soap later this year too, as he has 'loads of unfinished business'. The 52-year-old was last seen in Walford in 2021, when he departed the programme after 15 years. Since The Sun announced the news about Jake's return to EastEnders back in May, many fans have took to social media to share their excitement, with some saying his upcoming Watford arrival is 'going to be epic'.