Secret Only Fools footage that’s ‘never been seen’ unearthed after 45 years

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Never-seen-before Only Fools and Horses footage has been dug out of the archives and is being released for the first time. To celebrate the sitcom’s 45th anniversary, U&GOLD has shared a sneak peek of unseen footage from the iconic episode, The Jolly Boys’ Outing, which was filmed in Margate in 1989. That year, more than 20 million viewers tuned in to watch the feature-length special on Christmas Day, as Del Boy (Sir David Jason), Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), and the Nag’s Head regulars embarked on an ill-fated coach trip. Naturally, the day soon descended into classic Trotter chaos, ultimately creating a television special that’s stood the test of time. It’s become one of the most beloved Only Fools episodes, and it’s proving to be the gift that keeps giving over 30 years later. Following the release of previously hidden images when the documentary Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive was first announced, fans are now being given their first look at some of the tantalising vault footage itself. An iconic Only Fools and Horses episode has been unearthed, with unseen clips released for the 45th anniversary (Picture: BBC) The Jolly Boys’ Outing first aired in 1989 (Picture: BBC) It comes ahead of the two-part documentary series, which launches in October. The footage features a mix of old, unseen scenes, studio rushes, newly discovered outtakes, and location recordings, offering a fuller picture of John Sullivan’s vision behind the episode. What’s more, Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive also features new interviews with cast members such as Sir David, Tessa Peake Jones, Gwyneth Strong, Sue Holderness, Steven Woodcock, and Denis Lill. Sir David, 86, said: ‘I think the audience will find this very exciting and very interesting. I certainly did. ‘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.’ The veteran actor, who has four Baftas to his name, added: ‘I’ve really enjoyed seeing it all.’ Only Fools remains one of Britain’s most popular shows (Picture: BBC) Created by Sullivan, Only Fools and Horses remains one of the most acclaimed shows in British TV history, and it’s still adored by fans today thanks to its regular home on U&GOLD. A true ratings powerhouse across its eight seasons, Time on Our Hands attracted 24.3m viewers when originally broadcast as a Christmas special in 1996, a record that still stands. Its legacy has inspired a hit West End musical, spin-offs, merchandise, and an undeniable cultural impact thanks to its humour. Speaking last year, lead star Sir David explained his reasons for why Only Fools has such a legacy. He told Radio Times: ‘The secret is, this isn’t a sitcom; it’s a situation drama. ‘It’s the journey of these people living together. It just so happens that the characters do or say things to make us laugh.’ The cast speak fondly about their time, with Nicholas Lyndhurst saying it still makes him smile today (Picture: Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images) He went on to praise Sullivan’s scripts, which provided the essential ‘magic’ needed for the cast to succeed in their roles. Similarly, Lyndhurst, now 65, has long expressed his pride in playing memorable younger brother Rodney, previously declaring that he ‘can’t think of Only Fools without smiling’. And while the stars rehearsed in ‘a brown, concrete, soulless tower block that overlooked an industrial estate in North Acton’, he said Sullivan made it ‘the happiest workplace on the planet’. Scriptwriter Sullivan died in 2011, aged 64, after having viral pneumonia for six weeks. He was also responsible for the shows Citizen Smith and Just Good Friends. Lyndhurst has said there can never be any new episodes of Only Fools now that Sullivan has died, having told The Mirror: ‘We can’t do any more. John was the driving force. ‘We’ve also lost quite a few of the cast members now, [so] I don’t think I could do it… I certainly couldn’t do it without John.’ ‘At the risk of depressing everyone, I think the last two times I’ve seen David [were] at funerals,’ he quipped, but assured fans they are ‘still close’. Watch Only Fools and Horses on U&GOLD. 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