David Jason, 77, is best known for his role in the sitcom ‘Only Fools And Horses’ as Del Boy, as Jack Frost in the detective series ‘A Touch Of Frost’ and as Granville in ‘Open All Hours’. He has a daughter with his wife Gill
What sort of child were you?
Very shy, but I was forced to perform in front of an audience for a school play and it unlocked something in me. Prior to that point I’d felt like a failure, as I was very bad academically. The only other thing I was any good at was gymnastics. I joined an amateur drama group as a teenager, fell in love with theatre and it totally changed my life.
‘Best night of my life? My first opening night in the West End in the early Seventies when I took over from Michael Crawford in No Sex Please, We’re British’
What are you scared of?
Like most people, mortality. I enjoy life so much I don’t want it to end, and dying does worry me. If you’ve got faith you believe that you’re going to go to a magic land, but unfortunately I don’t have faith.
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
I was shooting A Touch Of Frost and this American movie director called Herbie Wise was directing an episode. During filming he called out, ‘Tell Mr Morse that I want him to open that door.’ I was like, ‘I beg your pardon? He called me Mr Morse.’ It was pretty insulting and I was extremely p***ed off. He wasn’t invited back for a second episode.
Which living person do you dislike the most?
Kim Jong-un. He’s totally lost the plot.
What is your most treasured possession?
A manuscript by Ronnie Barker, who I used to call The Guvnor. When he retired he wrote this wonderful missive, in old-fashioned legalese, handing over the comedy governorship to me.
‘I Ronald William S Barker hand over governorship to David Jason, AKA Del Boy,’ it reads, which I love.
Describe the best night of your life
My first opening night in the West End in the early Seventies when I took over from Michael Crawford in No Sex Please, We’re British. It was the first time I got my name above the titles in the West End and I’ll never forget the standing ovation I got on that first night.
Have you ever cheated death?
While scuba diving off the British Virgin Islands about 25 years ago, our boat’s anchor got stuck. I dived down to release it but I got separated from the boat and was stranded as it sped away. I had to swim for an hour to the nearest island with all my scuba kit on before I was rescued.
Tell us a secret about yourself
I used to fly gliders but now I’m a secret helicopter pilot.
What law would you change if you could?
I’d change the sentencing laws, particularly around murderers. If you’ve taken a life, a life sentence should mean a lifetime in prison.
Which words do you most overuse?
None, but I do have a tendency to impersonate people on TV, much to my wife’s irritation. At the moment it’s Dominic Littlewood off Fake Britain.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Me. They could just make me up to look younger for the first half of the film like they do with Tom Cruise. Or maybe they could just cast Tom Cruise as we’re doppelgangers. Well, we’re the same height at least.
Who did you last row with?
My 16-year-old daughter, Sophie. She’s a good girl but on this occasion she was very rude to her mother so I had to shout at her.
Have you ever had a nickname?
The Lardi, as in la-di-da, rhyming slang for star. People used to say it jokingly when I came on set. ‘Here comes the Lardi.’
Who would be your dream dinner date?
Mel Brooks.
What song do you want at your funeral?
Holding Back The Years by Simply Red. I still cry whenever I hear it because it was played during one of the most moving scenes in Only Fools And Horses when Rodney got married.
Interview by Nick McGrath ‘Only Fools And Stories: From Del Boy To Granville, Pop Larkin to Frost’ by David Jason (Century) is out now