Sir David Jason was ‘genuinely good friends’ with Nicholas Lyndhurst when they starred together on Only Fools and Horses.
The actor, 83, played wheeler dealer Del Boy on the classic sitcom alongside Nicholas, 62, but it has been two decades since the last episode aired.
In the years since, rumours of a of a fall out between the pair have circulated but David has now admitted they were very close during the making of the show.
Speaking in brand new documentary celebrating the series’ best bits, he said: ‘You couldn’t have had a better co-partner than Nic.
‘We liked and respected each other so much, we were genuinely good friends.
Sir David Jason was ‘genuinely good friends’ with Nicholas Lyndhurst when they starred together on Only Fools and Horses
Sir David has previously referred to Nicholas as someone who likes to keep to himself
Three years ago, Sir David stepped in to comfort Lyndhurst, 61, following the death of his actor son Archie, 19, from a brain haemorrhage caused by acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
But in 2022, David, who also starred in Open All Hours, The Darling Buds Of May and A Touch Of Frost, admitted he rarely saw the co-star he affectionately used to call a ‘plonker’ on screen.
Speaking of Nicholas, Sir David told Radio Times: ‘He’s much more – how can I say? – self- contained, perhaps, than he used to be.
‘So, unfortunately, we don’t see each other as much as I would like to.
‘But that’s how things work out sometimes.’
He has previously referred to Lyndhurst, who also starred in Butterflies, Goodnight Sweetheart and New Tricks, as someone who keeps to himself.
Speaking after Archie’s death in September 2020, Sir David said: ‘That was very, very, very tragic.
The actors (pictured with Buster Merryfield as Uncle Albert) in a Christmas special) are widely regarded as one of comedy’s finest double acts
: The pair played the Trotter brothers in the hit BBC sitcom for more than 20 years until 2003
‘I have been in touch with him but he keeps a very low profile.’
The show initially ran from 1981 until 1996 before returning for a string of three specials which aired between 2001 and 2003.
Over the course of the sitcom, the brothers always vowed to become millionaires and eventually did so, but lost their fortune in the stock market crash.
But by the time the show finished in 2003, the double act were in the money again after being left £145,000 each by their Uncle Albert.
In the new documentary, David recalls that when the cameras stopped rolling on the last episode, the studio audience gave a standing ovation that went on for seven minutes.
Only Fools And Horses: Greatest Christmas Moments airs on Channel 5 at 9pm on Christmas Eve.
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