"Only Fools and Horses" (1981) TV series 1981-2003

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Release Date:

8 September 1981 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Classic comedy following the misadventures of two Wheeler Dealer brothers Del Boy and Rodney Trotter who scrape their living by selling dodgy goods believing that next year they will be millionaires.

Plot Keywords:

Brother | Market | Black Market | Wheeler Dealer | Uncle

Awards:

17 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

David Jason	...	Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter / ... (65 episodes, 1981-2003)
Nicholas Lyndhurst	...	Rodney Trotter (65 episodes, 1981-2003)
Roger Lloyd-Pack	...	Trigger (39 episodes, 1981-2003)
Buster Merryfield	...	Uncle Albert Trotter (37 episodes, 1985-1996)
John Challis	...	Boycie (33 episodes, 1981-2003)
Kenneth MacDonald	...	Mike Fisher (30 episodes, 1983-1996)

Series Directed by
Tony Dow		(24 episodes, 1989-2003)
Ray Butt		(14 episodes, 1982-1987)
Susan Belbin		(7 episodes, 1985)
Martin Shardlow		(6 episodes, 1981)
Mandie Fletcher		(3 episodes, 1986)

Series Writing credits
John Sullivan		(65 episodes, 1981-2003)

Series Produced by
Ray Butt	....	producer (37 episodes, 1981-1987)
Gareth Gwenlan	....	producer (24 episodes, 1989-2003)
John Sullivan	....	executive producer (10 episodes, 1991-2003)
Sue Longstaff	....	associate producer (3 episodes, 1996)
Gail Evans	....	associate producer (3 episodes, 2001-2003)

Series Original Music by
Ronnie Hazlehurst		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Ron Peverall		(7 episodes, 1981-1983)

Series Film Editing by
John Jarvis		(34 episodes, 1981-1996)
Mike Jackson		(12 episodes, 1982-1983)
John Dunstan		(3 episodes, 1982-1991)
Chris Wadsworth		(3 episodes, 2001-2003)

Series Production Design by
Richard McManan-Smith		(9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Eric Walmsley		(7 episodes, 1985)
Graham Lough		(7 episodes, 1988-1989)
Andy Dimond		(6 episodes, 1982)
Mark Sevant		(6 episodes, 1986)
Tony Snoaden		(5 episodes, 1981)
Donal Woods		(5 episodes, 1992-1996)
Derek Evans		(4 episodes, 1982)
Bryan Ellis		(4 episodes, 1983)
Antony Thorpe		(4 episodes, 1983)
Cynthia Kljuco		(3 episodes, 1981)
David Hitchcock		(3 episodes, 2001-2003)

Series Art Direction by
Nick Harding		(3 episodes, 1996)
Les McCallum		(3 episodes, 2001-2003)

Series Set Decoration by
Bryony Foster		(1 episode, 1991)

Series Costume Design by
Robin Stubbs		(21 episodes, 1986-1996)
Richard Winter		(14 episodes, 1985-1989)
Anushia Nieradzik		(8 episodes, 1982)
Dinah Collin		(8 episodes, 1983)
Phoebe De Gaye		(6 episodes, 1981)
Jacky Levy		(3 episodes, 2001-2003)

Series Makeup Department
Christine Greenwood	....	makeup designer (11 episodes, 1990-1993)
Shaunna Harrison	....	makeup artist (8 episodes, 1982)
Denise Baron	....	makeup designer (8 episodes, 1983)
Linda McInnes	....	makeup designer (7 episodes, 1985)
Pauline Cox	....	makeup artist (6 episodes, 1981)
Elaine Smith	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1986)
Jean Steward	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1988-1989)
Deanne Turner	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1996-2003)
Sylvia Thornton	....	makeup designer (3 episodes, 1989)
Leri Misselbrook	....	assistant makeup designer (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Jules Yorke Moore	....	assistant makeup designer (2 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Production Management
Andy Smith	....	production manager (15 episodes, 1983-1985)
Janet Bone	....	production manager (13 episodes, 1981-1982)
Adrian Pegg	....	production manager (12 episodes, 1988-1991)
Sue Longstaff	....	production manager (10 episodes, 1985-1992)
Angela De Chastelai Smith	....	production manager (9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Sue Bysh	....	production manager (8 episodes, 1982)
Gillian Anderson	....	production manager (4 episodes, 1988-1989)
Aurelia Thomas	....	unit manager (2 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Anna Brabbins	....	third assistant director / second assistant director (5 episodes, 1996-2003)
Dominic Bowles	....	second assistant director (3 episodes, 1996)
David Reid	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 1996)
Marcus Catlin	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 2001-2003)
Ben Harrison	....	third assistant director (2 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Art Department
Chris Ferriday	....	properties buyer (16 episodes, 1981-1991)
Malcolm Rougvie	....	properties buyer (15 episodes, 1988-1992)
Peter Clayton	....	graphic designer (14 episodes, 1981-1982)
Andrew Smee	....	graphic designer (14 episodes, 1985-1991)
Roger Williams	....	properties buyer (8 episodes, 1982-1986)
Fen Symonds	....	graphic designer (8 episodes, 1982)
Penny Rollinson	....	properties buyer (8 episodes, 1983)
Mic Rolph	....	graphic designer (8 episodes, 1983)
Maura Laverty	....	properties buyer (5 episodes, 1986)
Graham Bishop	....	properties buyer (4 episodes, 1993-1996)
Marvin George	....	production buyer (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Andy Carroll	....	graphic designer (2 episodes, 1991)

Series Sound Department
Paul Roberts	....	dubbing mixer / sound re-recording mixer (24 episodes, 1981-1983)
Dave Thompson	....	studio sound / sound: studio / ... (22 episodes, 1982-1987)
Dennis Panchen	....	film sound / sound recordist (18 episodes, 1981-1985)
Michael Spencer	....	film sound / sound recordist (16 episodes, 1986-1993)
Alan Machin	....	studio sound (13 episodes, 1989-1992)
John Mooney	....	sound (9 episodes, 1986-1988)
Mike Felton	....	studio sound (7 episodes, 1981)
Michael Narduzzo	....	dubbing mixer (7 episodes, 1990-1993)
Clive Derbyshire	....	film sound (6 episodes, 1983)
Tony Philpot	....	studio sound (5 episodes, 1986)
Nigel Woodford	....	sound recordist / film sound (4 episodes, 1982)
Keith Gunn	....	studio sound (4 episodes, 1983-1996)
Laurie Taylor	....	sound supervisor / studio sound (4 episodes, 1993-2003)
Dave Brabants	....	film sound / sound recordist (3 episodes, 1986)
Paul Bingley	....	dubbing editor (3 episodes, 1996)
Nasereen Chafekar	....	post-production sound assistant (3 episodes, 1996)
Roger Long	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 1996)
Reg Mills	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Nick Roast	....	assistant sound supervisor (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
John Pritchard	....	film sound (2 episodes, 1981)
Keith Mayes	....	studio sound (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
John A. Parry	....	film sound (2 episodes, 1989-1991)
Glenn Hyde	....	dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1991)
Tony Revell	....	studio sound (2 episodes, 1991)
John Taylor	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
Mark Weber	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Graham Brown	....	visual effects (3 episodes, 1988-1989)
Chris Lawson	....	visual effects (3 episodes, 1989-2002)
Andy Lazell	....	visual effects designer (2 episodes, 1993-1996)
Ian Simpson	....	video effects (2 episodes, 1996)

Series Stunts
Colin Skeaping	....	stunt arranger (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Nick Powell	....	stunt coordinator (2 episodes, 1996)
Chrissy Monk	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Don Babbage	....	lighting director / studio lighting director / ... (34 episodes, 1981-1992)
Ken Major	....	camera supervisor (25 episodes, 1985-1991)
Alec Curtis	....	film camera / camera operator (14 episodes, 1982-1991)
Henry Barber	....	studio lighting / studio lighting director / ... (12 episodes, 1982-1986)
Ron Peverall	....	studio senior camera operator / studio camera supervisor / ... (11 episodes, 1982-1983)
Chris Seager	....	film camera (9 episodes, 1985-1986)
John Walker	....	film camera (7 episodes, 1982-1991)
Bill Matthews	....	film camera (6 episodes, 1981)
Ian Hilton	....	film camera (6 episodes, 1983)
John Rhodes	....	photographer / film camera (6 episodes, 1991-1996)
Pat Deveney	....	gaffer / lighting gaffer (6 episodes, 1996-2003)
Peter Woodley	....	camera supervisor (6 episodes, 1996-2003)
Peter Robinson	....	gaffer / lighting gaffer (5 episodes, 1986-1993)
Ron Bristow	....	lighting director (4 episodes, 1991)
Graham Rimmington	....	lighting director (4 episodes, 1993-1996)
Peter Smee	....	studio lighting director (3 episodes, 1985)
Iain Johnstone	....	grip (3 episodes, 1996)
David Holliday	....	grip (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Martin Kempton	....	lighting director (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
John Jefford	....	still photographer (2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Chris Glass	....	studio camera supervisor (2 episodes, 1983)
Peter Goldring	....	camera supervisor (2 episodes, 1991)
Gerry Tivers	....	camera supervisor (2 episodes, 1992-1993)
Tim Allan	....	camera trainee (2 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Casting Department
Judy Loe	....	casting advisor (13 episodes, 1990-1996)
Tracey Gillham	....	casting advisor (3 episodes, 2001-2003)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Pam Maddox	....	assistant costume designer (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Aly Smith	....	assistant costume designer (2 episodes, 2002-2003)
Ellen Falguiere	....	set costumer (unknown episodes, 1990)

Series Editorial Department
Chris Wadsworth	....	editor: video tape / studio video tape editor (42 episodes, 1981-1996)
Heather Gilder	....	vision mixer (22 episodes, 1985-1996)
Angela Beveridge	....	vision mixer (11 episodes, 1982-1983)
Mike Taylor	....	editor: video tape (8 episodes, 1981-1983)
Sue Collins	....	vision mixer (8 episodes, 1989-1991)
Hilary West	....	vision mixer (7 episodes, 1981)
Chris Booth	....	editor: video tape (4 episodes, 1983-1985)
Bill Morton	....	vision mixer (3 episodes, 1982-1989)
Hilary Briegel	....	vision mixer (3 episodes, 1988-2002)
Shirley Coward	....	vision mixer (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Graham Taylor	....	editor: video tape (2 episodes, 1986)

Series Music Department
Ronnie Hazlehurst	....	music arranger / conductor / ... (52 episodes, 1981-1991)
John Sullivan	....	composer: title music / singer: title music / ... (38 episodes, 1985-2003)
Graham Jarvis	....	composer: additional music (6 episodes, 1996-2003)

Series Other crew
Penny Thompson	....	production assistant / studio production assistant (21 episodes, 1981-1983)
Tony Dow	....	assistant floor manager (17 episodes, 1981-1983)
Robert Hignett	....	technical manager / studio technical manager (9 episodes, 1981-1982)
Amita Lochab	....	production assistant (9 episodes, 1988-1992)
Debbie Crofts	....	assistant floor manager (9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Peter Manuel	....	resources coordinator / technical coordinator (9 episodes, 1990-1991)
Lesley Bywater	....	production assistant (8 episodes, 1985-1986)
Reg Poulter	....	technical coordinator (8 episodes, 1987-1989)
Gavin Clark	....	assistant floor manager (7 episodes, 1985)
Tony Mutimer	....	technical coordinator (7 episodes, 1985)
Kerry Waddell	....	assistant floor manager (7 episodes, 1988-1989)
Amanda Church	....	production secretary / production assistant (7 episodes, 1990-1991)
Mandie Fletcher	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1981)
Vivien Ackland-Snow	....	floor manager (6 episodes, 1996-2003)
Caroline Gardener	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 1996-2003)
Chris Watts	....	technical coordinator / technical director (5 episodes, 1983)
Nick Moore	....	technical coordinator (5 episodes, 1986)
Rowena Painter	....	production assistant (5 episodes, 1986)
Adrian Pegg	....	assistant floor manager (5 episodes, 1986)
Alexandra Todd	....	production assistant (5 episodes, 1986)
Derek Martin	....	studio technical manager / technical manager (4 episodes, 1982)
Teresa Powick	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1990-1991)
Katie Tyrrell	....	production secretary (4 episodes, 1991)
Sue Bishop	....	assistant floor manager (3 episodes, 1987-1989)
Miles Cherry	....	assistant floor manager (3 episodes, 1990-1991)
Tracey Gillham	....	production assistant (3 episodes, 1991-1993)
Stephen Abrahams	....	location manager (3 episodes, 1996)
Beccy Fawcett	....	assistant floor manager (3 episodes, 1996)
Lisa McArthur	....	location manager (3 episodes, 1996)
Richard Morgan	....	studio resource manager (3 episodes, 1996)
Alison Passey	....	programme finance assistant (3 episodes, 1996)
Katie Wilkinson	....	production secretary (3 episodes, 1996)
Anna Brabbins	....	stage manager (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Claudia Cuffy	....	production coordinator (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Kim Jowitt	....	studio resource manager (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Honor Newton	....	programme finance associate (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Bill Morton	....	studio vision mixer (2 episodes, 1982)
Caroline Andrews	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1985)
Gail Evans	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1991)
Christine Gernon	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1991)
Charles Whaley	....	assistant floor manager (2 episodes, 1991)
Michael Langley-Evans	....	resources coordinator (2 episodes, 1992-1993)
Sarah Hitchcock	....	production executive (2 episodes, 2002-2003)
Caroline Mccarthy	....	location manager (2 episodes, 2002-2003)
Vanessa Frank	....	studio runner (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Jonathan Betts	....	thanks (1 episode, 1996)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1981-2003) (UK) (TV) (original airing)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (season 3)

Also Known As:

Readies (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (35 episodes) | 35 min (1 episode) | 50 min (13 episodes) | 60 min (4 episodes) | 65 min (1 episode) | 70 min (1 episode) | 75 min (4 episodes) | 80 min (1 episode) | 85 min (2 episodes) | 90 min (1 episode) | 95 min (1 episode)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Mono | Stereo (later episodes)

Certification:

UK:PG | Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

John Sullivan wrote every episode.

Goofs:

Continuity: In "Fatal extraction", during the final scene in the flat, the door behind Raquel is open and after Del takes Damien to bed, the door is closed.

Quotes:

Del Boy: [after getting off a plane in Spain for winning a contest that is not all that legit] Well, before we get checked in I have gotta tell you something Rodney. This contest isn't quite as pucker as I made it out to be.
Cassandra Parry: Well he did win didn't he?
Rodney: [looking at the other winners] That's strange that is.
Del Boy: What is?
Rodney: Well I noticed it on the plane but it didn't quite register. Their all Mum's and Dad's. They have brought their kids with them.
Del Boy: It's not the parents who are the winners Rodder's... it's the kids. You see Rodney's painting won... in the under 15 years old category.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Man to Man with Dean Learner: Steve Pising (#1.2)" (2006)

Fantasticly original and hilarious

I wasn't born when it began and its only been in the 90s and through repeats of old episodes have I been able to watch the progression of this unique and hilarious comedy show. As a British person I can relate to the humour and characters and there are some real people like this. I adore the show and its wonderful timeless classic humour from Trig and his "alright Dave" to the warm, but annoying Uncle Arthur who somehow completed the show more than poor old Grandad. This story of two brothers really is made so that people can warm and relate to their struggles in life, because we are all looking to make money and be accepted and loved. Del Boy is a chip off the old block with his "one day we'll be millionaires" and then they were!! Del has some bad schemes, legal and illegal mainly, but he has a generous heart and loves his younger brother Rodney, but his terrible French is always a classic in the joke stakes. Rodney is a little dopey, but always a warm and great character who interacts well with the others and finally found love the lovely Cassandra. All the other characters have an immense dose of the right humor from the ever stupid Trig, to the untrustworthy and sly Boycie to the good mate Mike the landlord of the regular pub the Nag's Head.

This is sublime and classic British comedy at its best.There are easily funny and memorable lines and each episode has a great sense of humour. The show never fails to impress and is one of the superb shows of all time. My particular favourite moments are the episode where they pretend to be chandelier cleaners and Uncle Albert unscrews the wrong one and crash goes an expensive chandelier, the episode where Trig and Del are out on the pull and Del eyes 2 females and says "play it cool Trig, play it cool", goes to lean on the previouly complete bar, which has now been lifted and falls down and the expression on Trigs face is priceless and also the time Del stops the lift to make Rodney open up his pent up anger and sadness after the loss of his and Cassandra's baby. Absolutely a wonderful show that can be repeated endlessly and never fail to make me laugh.