Only Fools and Horses unseen footage from iconic episode released to celebrate 45th anniversary of sitcom

ONLY Fools and Horses fans are in for a lovely jubbly treat as the beloved sitcom celebrates its 45th anniversary with a treasure trove of previously unseen footage. Never-before-seen footage from classic episode The Jolly Boys’ Outing has been unveiled as part of the sitcom’s 45th-anniversary celebrations. The lost footage has been restored from the programme’s original 16mm negatives Credit: U&GOLD The previously unseen scenes were filmed for classic episode The Jolly Boys’ Outing Credit: U&GOLD The 1989 Christmas special was watched by a staggering 20.1million viewers, making it the sitcom’s biggest episode at the time. The lost footage features unseen moments aboard the Margate-bound coach, including Boycie mocking Del Boy over the smouldering radio and Uncle Albert warning against pouring water on an electrical fire. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! U&Gold released the extended clip online on Tuesday to mark exactly 45 years since Only Fools and Horses first aired. Sir David Jason, who starred as wheeler-dealer Del Boy, said: “I’ve really enjoyed seeing it all. More on Only Fools and Horses Sir David Jason appears as Del Boy in the newly unearthed footage Credit: U&GOLD The gang’s trip to Margate descended into chaos after their coach exploded Credit: U&GOLD “A lot of bits of film that have never been seen before by anyone, except those who recorded it, so it’s coming out fresh. “I think the audience will find this very exciting.” The clips will feature in Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive, a two-part documentary series being released next month. It will also include interviews with surviving cast members including Sir David, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong, Sue Holderness, Steven Woodcock and Denis Lill. Most read in TV The beloved Only Fools and Horses cast during the sitcom’s television heyday Credit: Getty Only Fools and Horses first aired 45 years ago in September 1981 Credit: BBC Press Handout Fans will be treated to a mix of previously unseen scenes, studio rushes, newly discovered outtakes and behind-the-scenes location footage. Only Fools and Horses began with an audience of 9.2million in 1981 and went on to become one of Britain’s most successful sitcoms. Its 1996 episode Time on Our Hands, in which Del and Rodney finally became millionaires, attracted 24.3million viewers and remains the most-watched British sitcom episode of all time. The series will also pay tribute to the show’s creator and writer John Sullivan, who died in 2011 aged 64. Comment now