role call
Sir David Jason’s forgotten TV roles revealed – including classic kids movie
The acting legend's career has spanned six decades and counting
SIR David Jason is a national treasure - although some of his past roles have received less attention than others.
Viewers likely best know Sir David, 84, from classics like Only Fools and Horses, A Touch of Frost and Open All Hours.
However, the veteran actor has portrayed several other parts during his long career.
It comes as Sir David recently described his iconic Del Boy character as "a ghost", who stays with him.
Continuing, the star admitted disappointment in fans seemingly not remembering his other work.
In his memoir This Time Next Year, Sir David reflected on how his past voice roles paved the way for other projects.
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He wrote: “I’ve never had cause to regret the time I spent in those voice studios, in a roundabout way, those experiences would eventually lead me to some of the character work that I’m most proud of.”
Here is a look at some of the actor's "forgotten" roles from over the years.
Danger Mouse
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Sir David voiced the title character in this long-running ITV animated show.
The character Danger Mouse, as his name suggests, was a white mouse.
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However, he was also a top secret agent, with catchphrases including "Good grief" and "Penfold, shush".
A parody of the British spy genre, it ran for 10 series between September 1981 to March 1992.
In particular, the show lampooned the likes of James Bond and the Danger Man series.
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A revival aired on CBBC from 2015 to 2019, spanning two series.
Pointless host Alexander Armstrong took over the role of Danger Mouse.
Count Duckula
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Airing from 1988 to 1993, Count Duckula was a direct spin-off from Danger Mouse.
Also voiced by Sir David, the vampire duck was initially a recurring villain on the original show.
However, the character's later iteration bears several differences.
Unlike the Danger Mouse version, he is a vegetarian and makes less use of his vampiric powers.
The Count Duckula programme altogether comprises 65 episodes, of about 20 minutes each.
The Wind in the Willows
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Sir David voiced Mr Toad in classic children's movie The Wind in the Willows.
Released in 1983, the beloved stop motion animated film was based on Kenneth Grahame's 1908 novel.
The plot follows characters including Toad, Mole (voiced by Richard Pearson) and Rat (voiced by Ian Carmichael).
Other cast members included Sherlock actress Una Stubbs (who played Mrs Hudson) and Sir David's Danger Mouse co-star Edward Kelsey.
Subsequently, Wind in the Willows became a television series aired on ITV between 1984 and 1988.
Sir David and Richard Pearson reprised their roles for the show, with Wallace and Gromit's Peter Sallis taking over as Rat.
The programme ran for four series, as well as an additional 13 episodes under a new title, Oh, Mr Toad.
The BFG
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Released in 1989, The BFG was an adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved novel.
Sir David voiced the titular "big friendly giant", who lives in "Giant Country".
The story follows The BFG having a taken a young human orphan named Sophie back to his home.
Here, the giant reveals how he uses a trumpet to blow dreams into children's bedrooms at night.
Other giants, however, are the more stereotypical, vicious type who eat people.
The whimsical tale eventually sees The BFG and Sophie come face to face with the Queen of England.
Additionally, the voice cast included other recognisable actors from British television.
Only Fools and Horses' most memorable episodes
The beloved sitcom only aired for seven series but is still adored to this date - here are fans' most memorable scenes from the BBC hit...
- Jolly Boys' Outing - The humorous episode was filled with disaster and also romance. It saw Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad leave Peckham for a day trip to Margate. However, their coach explodes, Rodney is arrested and Del Boy reunites with Raquel.
- Time on their Hands - The episode sees the Trotters reflect on their life in South London after finally becoming millionaires. Airing in 1996, it pulled in an incredible 24million viewers.
- A Touch of Glass - This unforgettable episode sees Del Boy and his chandelier cleaning service. In hilarious scenes, he and Rodney accidentally drop a chandelier, sending it crashing to the floor.
- Stage Fright - Raquel performs with Tony Angelino while pregnant to perform a duet - but she's unaware he has a speech impediment.
- Yuppy Love - Derek attempts to transform himself into a high-flyer, wearing a stripped shirt and red braces. It also sees Del fall through the bar, while Rodney meets Cassandra for the first time.
- Mother Nature's Son - Del Boy inherits an allotment from his grandad, but it's contaminated by a yellow substance. The Peckham Spring Water business is then born - but it's actually just tap water from Nelson Mandela House.
- Heroes and Villains - Del Boy and Rodney dress up as Batman and Robin for Harry Malcolm's party. However, Boycie forgot to mention Harry died, and it had become a wake!
- To Hull and Back - Del Boy is convinced to smuggle diamonds from The Netherlands. PC Roy Slater intercepts them before he's later arrested for corruption. It ends with Del throwing his £15k over the balcony thinking it was fake - when it was in fact real!
- The Russians are Coming - The threat of nuclear war looms over Peckham so the Trotters decide to batten down the hatches. They build a DIY war shelter - on the top of Mandela House.
- The Unlucky Winner Is - Rodney wins a holiday abroad after Del Boy entered him into a painting competition. However, when he lands in Spain Rodney discovers it's a prize for children and must pretend he's a 14-year-old child.
In his final role, Fawlty Towers star Ballard Berkeley (aka Major Gowen) voiced the Head of the Army.
To the Manor Born actress Angela Thorne portrayed the Queen, while Amanda Root played Sophie.
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Sir David's then-partner, Welsh actress Myfanwy Talog, lent her voice to abusive orphanage owner Mrs Clonkers.
Myfanwy sadly died just a few years later, aged 50, due to breast cancer.
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