Never-broadcast episode of Only Fools and Horses to be shown on TV for first time after being ‘lost’ since 1984
The 'forgotten' episode Licensed to Drill, never before shown on TV, features Del Boy's scheme to get rich from a second-hand oil rig, and will feature in a show on October 3
ONLY Fools and Horses fans are in for a treat as a "lost" episode of the classic sitcom is due to air for the first time on telly.
The rare 1984 episode Licensed to Drill is said to have been lying on a dusty shelf for years before it was discovered recently.
It features Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad at the top of their game, and is especially significant as it was Lennard Pearce’s final appearance as Grandad before his death.
In the episode, Del Boy, played by David Jason, thinks he’s on to a winner when he reveals his new get-rich-quick scheme.
He has bought an oil rig for the "bargain" price of £400 and plans to extract some black gold of his own.
Del says: “We just lay low in our boat for a while and we wait for one of the big oil companies to move off the oil field and then we whip in a bit lively and use their hole.”
But unfortunately for the Trotters, they soon realise there’s not much in the way of oil in Peckham and Del Boy realises he’s been conned.
The 19-minute episode - never shown on TV - was produced by the Maureen Oilfield Consortium and was exclusively made for British schools to teach them about the oil industry.
In addition to airing scenes from the forgotten episode, UKTV Gold’s The Story Of Only Fools And Horses also features interviews with the cast and some of the best outtakes.
In one of the bloopers David Jason forgets his lines and exclaims: “We might as well start again because I’ve gone now.”
Nicholas Lyndhurst, who played Rodders, mispronounces his onscreen wife’s name as “Ker-sai” instead of Cassie.
Acknowledging it wasn’t all plain sailing during filming, Lyndhurst tells the documentary: "So you think we shot one perfectly every week? uh uh."
Gwyneth Strong, who played Cassandra, said: “The outtakes brought back loads of memories for us, memories that you don’t even realise are there until you start seeing that material.
“I kept saying ‘Who knew!’ all the way through watching it.”
Executive producer John Quinn said: “Thanks to the late John Sullivan’s family, we have access to some exclusive behind-the-scenes material - driven by first-hand insights and anecdotes by many of those who were there.”
Gold's Steve North said: “I am so excited to be working with the Sullivan family to help celebrate Gold’s 25th birthday this year, and really delve into the archives one of the most loved shows on the channel. Gold viewers will get a real treat.”
ONLY FOOLS GOLD As Del Boy's flat makes a mint, can you guess the value of other TV and film properties from Sherlock's to Bridget Jones'?
The Story of Only Fools and Horses airs on UKTV’s Gold Channel on Tuesdays at 8pm until October 3, which is when scenes from Licensed to Drill will be shown for the first time.
Earlier this year Boycie actor John Challis revealed Only Fools writer John Sullivan had planned a farewell episode that would have brought all the old gang back to Peckham one last time.
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