Sir David, who starred alongside Nicholas Lyndhurst in Only Fools and Horses, recounted the experience of being cast as Lance Corporal Jones in Dad’s Army, only to be replaced a few hours later. Despite impressing creators Jimmy Perry and David Croft with his audition, BBC boss Bill Cotton made the decision to replace him with Clive Dunn, who famously went on to play the role.
Reflecting on the experience, Sir David said: “I was cast at 12 o’clock and sacked by three.”
Despite this setback, Sir David’s career flourished after landing the role of Del Boy, one of the most loved characters in UK television history. Only Fools and Horses, which followed the misadventures of the Trotter brothers as they attempted dubious get-rich-quick schemes, ran for 22 years from 1981 to 2003 and remains a British cultural phenomenon.
This wasn’t the only role Sir David missed out on during his career. He also revealed that he was turned down for the role of Frank Spencer in the BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. According to Sir David, BBC executives doubted his “star quality” at the time.
However, despite these near-misses, Sir David went on to become one of the most celebrated actors in the UK. Alongside Only Fools and Horses, he achieved further success in Open All Hours and Porridge, cementing his place as a national treasure.
Interestingly, before pursuing acting, Sir David worked as an electrician—an occupation far removed from his eventual career on screen.
Despite these early hurdles, Sir David’s story is one of persistence and ultimate success, with Only Fools and Horses continuing to hold a special place in the hearts of fans across generations.
