Lennard Pearce: Last News

ONLY Fools And Horses is Britain’s best-loved sitcom – and its 1996 episode Time On Our Hands holds the record for our most watched comedy ever, with 24.3million delighted viewers tuning in. Fans love to debate what the show’s best bits are, but what does Del Boy himself – David Jason – think? The acting legend reveals some of his most treasured memories of playing the Cockney wheeler dealer in his new book, The Twelve Dels Of Christmas. Here, in exclusive extracts from the book, he shares the moments that make him laugh, cry . . .

THERE’S plenty that Sir David Jason thought was lovely jubbly about playing Del Boy — one being his famous sheepskin coat. The actor admitted he grabbed a few items of his beloved character’s clothes during his 22-year run in Only Fools And Horses — and some he still wears today. When asked in an exclusive chat with The Sun about the pieces he kept, the 82-year-old joked: “How dare you even suggest that I kept that bomber jacket, and that black cap, and that overcoat.

Only Fools and Horses star Ben Smith played Damien Trotter as a youngster in the BBC sitcom.Damian Trotter was born in the episode Three Men, A Woman And A Baby, to proud parents Del Boy Trotter and Raquel Turner.Since then, a number of actors have played him throughout the series.READ MORE: Only Fools and Horses cast made Lennard Pearce refuse to work due to epic prankIn fact, six different actors played Damien in total - including Ben who played the role of the devil child between 2001 and 2003.Ben took on the role in the Only Fools and Horses Christmas specials, If They Could See Us Now, Strangers on the Shore, and Sleepless in Peckham.The Christmas specials saw the Trotters return after becoming bankrupt, with episodes such as If They Could See Us Now featuring Del Boy appearing on a game show to try and win his fortune back.Since appearing on the sitcom, Ben hasn't left television screens and has starred in various other programmes.And the 32-year-old star looks completely unrecognisable!Born in North London, Ben has went on to appear in Holby City, Silent Witness, Doctors, The Bill, Misfits, Casualty and the Doctor Who episode School Reunion in 2006.He has also played characters such as Lee in Misfits and Donny in E4 programme Skins. In 2008, the actor joined EastEnders as Tegs Teague.

Only Fools and Horses was a hilarious comedy that could raise a smile from anyone.However it turns out that the comedy wasn't just saved for the screen and to be a part of the iconic cast you definitely had to have a sense of humour.David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, aka Del Boy and Rodney, were well known pranksters on the set and would be constantly teasing their friends and co-stars.READ MORE: Only Fools mega-fan gets David Jason's autograph tattooed on arm after he signed itHowever, they once took a prank a little too far with co-star Lennard Pearce, aka Grandad, who refused to work until producer Ray Butt talked him round.Most of the time Lennard put up with the pranks and even laughed at the jokes – even though they were mostly about him.However one day the two cheeky lads took a prank a little too far.The dynamic duo thought that it would be funny to make some adjustments to Lennard's costume.They nailed his shoes to the floor, and turned his outfit inside-out.This didn't however have the funny effect that they had hoped for and Lennard was left fuming.He refused to come back to work until producer Ray Butt talked him round. Writing for the Daily Mail in 2013, Jason described the incident: "When filming began, Nicholas and I bonded quickly, despite our 21-year age difference.

Only Fools and Horses star Lennard Pearce once had an encounter with Adolf Hitler and missed the opportunity to stop the Second World War.The actor suddenly died from a heart attack aged 69 in December 1984 during the fourth series of the comedy sitcom.He played Grandad, real name Edward Kitchener 'Ted' Trotter, and he always minded the Trotters' flat in Nelson Mandela House, Peckham from his armchair.The character rarely left the living room where he famously watched multiple television sets at the same time.He was full of sarcasm and and his quick wit made him popular with viewers and co-stars Nicholas Lyndhurst and David Jason, who played Rodney and Del Boy.Pearce, who played Grandad for 23 episodes, had plenty of stories to share while