Only Fools and Horses holds a cherished spot in the hearts of British comedy fans, but the beloved cast have faced tragedy and major career changes since the show ended

Only Fools And Horses Christmas Special 1996 David Jason as Del Boy and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney (Image: BBC)

Only Fools and Horses holds a special place in the hearts of British comedy lovers. The timeless sitcom created national treasures, with stars such as David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst still lauded for their comedic genius years after the show’s debut. The much-loved sitcom follows the antics of Del Boy (Sir David) and Rodney Trotter (Lyndhurst), as they concoct schemes to make their fortune.

However, the programme went beyond its storyline, striking a chord with audiences through its relatable characters and unforgettable one-liners. It quickly rose to become one of Britain’s most revered comedy series, cherished by millions across the country. The series bagged a host of awards, including recognition from BAFTA, the National Television Awards and the Royal Television Society. It was crowned Britain’s Best Sitcom in a BBC poll.

The cast will always be praised for their roles in Only Fools and Horses, with the show continuing to attract both new and devoted viewers whenever reruns appear on television.

We’ve put together a list of some of the most memorable characters and what happened to the actors who played them after the show. Sadly, some are no longer with us.

David Jason

Only Fools and Horses cast now – tragic deaths, health battles and career U-turns (Image: Getty Images)

Sir David Jason played the character of Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter from 1981 to 2003. Other roles that Sir David is famous for include Detective Inspector Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost, Granville in Open All Hours and Still Open All Hours, and Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds of May.

His latest acting appearance was in the revival of Open All Hours in 2019. Since then, he has focused primarily on voiceover work, especially in animated productions, owing to difficulties with learning scripts.

In 2001, aged 61, Sir David welcomed fatherhood when his partner, Gill Hinchcliffe, gave birth to a daughter. The couple married in 2005 and live in Buckinghamshire.

Nicholas Lyndhurst

Nicholas Lyndhurst is best known for his role as Rodney Trotter (Image: BBC)

Nicholas Lyndhurst is most recognised for playing Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses. He has also enjoyed prominent roles in sitcoms including Gary Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart and Raymond Fletcher in Going Straight.

More recently, Nicholas has appeared in the resurrected American sitcom Frasier, which debuted in 2023 and remains on air. Speaking about working across the Atlantic, the actor told Radio Times: “I’m just here for the duration of the show and I’ll go home to the UK afterwards. But it is absolutely wonderful to be here for now.”

Nicholas plays Alan Cornwall, Frasier’s former university friend and academic associate.

The comedy star married partner Lucy Jane Smith, a former ballet dancer, in West Sussex in September 1999. Their only child, Archie Bjorn Lyndhurst, was born in London on October 2, 2000.

Devastatingly, their son died in his sleep from a brain haemorrhage caused by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2020. In a moving statement, he said that he and his wife were “utterly grief stricken and respectfully request privacy.”

Nicholas now enjoys a tranquil life in West Sussex with his wife.

In his leisure time, he indulges in underwater diving, beekeeping and piloting his own aircraft.

Tessa Peake-Jones

Tessa Peake-Jones portrayed Raquel Turner in Only Fools and Horses (Image: Getty Images)

Tessa Peake-Jones is best known for her role as Raquel Turner in Only Fools and Horses. She graced the show for a total of 11 years, making her first appearance in 1988 and bowing out in 2003.

The actress played the love interest of Derek Trotter, initially joining the cast as a guest star. The 67 year old has an impressive array of acting credits to her name.

Her additional television roles include appearances in Bergerac, The Demon Headmaster, Midsomer Murders, Casualty and Holby City. Tessa reprised her role as Mrs Chapman in the ninth series of Grantchester, which aired in January.

She has been portraying Mrs Chapman since the show’s inception in 2014.

During her tenure on the BBC sitcom, Tessa was in a long-term relationship with Douglas Hodge, who played her adult son in a single episode of Only Fools. After 29 years together, the couple separated in 2013, but they have two children, Charlie and Molly-Rose.

While Tessa has appeared in numerous TV shows, she has portrayed a variety of characters throughout her career, including a 2019 stint on ITV’s All Star Musicals, where she showcased her singing talent with a rendition of Abba’s Mamma Mia.

Gwyneth Strong

Gwyneth played the character of Cassandra from 1989 until the show ended in 2003 (Image: BBC)

Gwyneth Strong is best known for her role as Cassandra Parry in Only Fools and Horses, where she played Rodney Trotter’s girlfriend in the much-loved comedy series.

Despite her most recent television appearance being in EastEnders back in 2016, she continues to be active in theatre, recently portraying Mrs. Boyle in the 70th anniversary production of “The Mousetrap”.

Other roles that viewers may recall include WPC Rachel McMahon in the two-part drama The Missing Postman, Hetty in ITV’s Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married (1999), and Elizabeth, Jim Brodie’s wife, in BBC’s Casualty in 2003. She also appeared alongside her Only Fools and Horses co-star David Jason in the “True Confessions” two-part storyline of A Touch of Frost.

In 2000, Gwyneth married her long-term partner, Jesse Birdsall, who previously starred in Footballers’ Wives. They have a son, Oscar, born in 1988, and a daughter, Lottie, born in 1991.

Sir David Jason as Del Boy Trotter (Image: BBC)

Paul Barber

Paul, born in Toxteth, featured in numerous episodes of Only Fools and Horses as Denzil Tulser. He often found himself entangled in Del Boy’s money-making schemes.

Due to his gullible nature, Denzil frequently struggled to decline offers and would invariably end up being duped by Del.

The performer has also appeared in two minor roles on Coronation Street, first as Nelson in 2004 and subsequently as Billy Arrowsmith in 2008. In July 2011, Paul was awarded an honorary doctorate from Liverpool John Moores University for his ‘outstanding contribution to the performing arts’.

His extensive acting portfolio includes appearances in shows such as To the Manor Born (1979) as a Jamaican steel band musician, Minder (1980) as Willie Reynolds in the episode Don’t Tell Them Willie Boy was Here, Boys from the Blackstuff (1982) and as Malcolm in The Front Line.

Recent work includes portraying Fieldhouse in Home from Home in the 2016 pilot episode, reprising the role for the 2018 series. The following year, he appeared in two episodes as Ernest Maxwell, revisiting the character in 2019.

He also starred in the 2022 crime action thriller Renegades and leads the 2024 horror film The Baby in the Basket.

Buster Merryfield

Harry ‘Buster’ Merryfield was best known for his portrayal of Uncle Albert in Only Fools and Horses. His grandfather gave him the nickname “Buster” after he weighed nine pounds at birth.

Buster embarked on his professional acting career at 57, having developed his love for performance during the Second World War whilst serving as an entertainment officer staging shows for servicemen.

The character entered the OFAH cast following Lennard Pearce’s passing in December 1984, who had portrayed Grandad. He appeared as Grandad Trotter’s long-estranged younger brother and became renowned for his signature catchphrase “During the war..”

The BBC star died at Poole General Hospital on 23 June 1999, after battling a brain tumour.