BBC
ONE celebrates 21st birthday of Only Fools and Horses
To
celebrate the "coming of age" of Only Fools and Horses,
BBC ONE is transmitting the first ever episode of the classic series.
Originally
broadcast 21 years ago on 8 September 1981, the episode brought
together the writing and wonderful characterisations of John Sullivan
and the incredible chemistry of David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
and Lennard Pearce as Grandad.
The
episode, entitled Big Brother, introduced the Trotter family and
Del Boy's cod philosophy to over nine million viewers.
Little
did anyone know that, 20 years later, 21 million people would be
sitting down on Christmas Day to see Del and Rodney still chasing
their millions (but this time they had actually made the money,
only to have lost it again).
Over
the 21 years the loveable characters had ducked and dived into many
scrapes, always coming up smelling of roses.
Del's
wonderful way with words generated many fans as he spouted his advice
and titbits of wisdom.
The
"he who dares wins" attitude infuriated and irritated
his family and friends but his cheeky cockney charm always won them
over.
The
series took its time to find its audience but a second series was
commissioned and gradually the public grew to love the character
and the world he lived in.
In
Big Brother Del is convinced he is on to a winner with Trigger's
consignment of briefcases.
What
he doesn't realise is none of them open leaving him with a load
of "hooky gear".
Meanwhile
his younger brother Rodney is thinking of giving up trading to pursue
a real job.
During
the transmission of the first series there were many enquiries on
what "Only Fools and Horses" meant.
John
Sullivan never liked the theme tune for the first series and had
written a new one that he claimed explained the meaning behind the
title.
He
persuaded the producer to use it for the second series; but viewers
can once again hear the original theme as it is revived to celebrate
the birthday of a true gem.
Chas
and Dave had planned to sing on the new theme tune but their record
hit the top of the charts leaving John Sullivan to do the singing
- something he had not anticipated.
Only
Fools and Horses - Series 1, Episode 1, Big Brother
Sunday
8 September 2002, BBC ONE, 6.05pm
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