Sir David Jason webchat - Thurs 17 Oct 1-2pm

gillybob

Hello Sir David, what an honour!

My question is in two parts; Out of the many varied roles you have played the one that probably springs to most peoples mind first will be that of "Del Boy" Trotter. I never tire of watching episodes of "Only Fools and Horses" and still find them extremely funny. I wonder do you have a favourite role and do you prefer playing comedy or straight characters best?
Thank you.

That's a difficult question, but they both have very different disciplines and I enjoy both extremes very much. The part I think that I'm most proud of is Scullion in Porterhouse Blue because that won me a Bafta for a drama performance. So I'm very proud of that.

J52

Sir David, hello. Like you I grew up in a London that was a very different place from today. When I watch your characterisations I think of the diverse, 'true Londoners' who lived in our street. Are your wonderful characters based on people you grew up surrounded by? They remind me of so much. Are they written a out in the book? Cannot wait to read it. Regards

On the whole, no. I do not take the characters from people I know. That was the case of John Sullivan (of Only Fools and horses). Though I did base Derek Trotter on an amazing character I met in the East End of London I was working for as an electrician. I never forgot him. When I was putting together that character, I remembered him - he was the inspiration.

positivepam

Sir David, I have to say it really is an honour to be able to talk to you. You have brought many hours of entertainment in many different ways and I have cried tears of joy and laughter and sorrow through the many different parts that you have brought to our screens. I am really looking forward to the updated "Open All Hours" that you are bringing back to us and so happy to hear that Gladys Emmanuel will be there also. I am sure it must have brought some happy and sad memories and thoughts of other talented comedic actors that are no longer with us.
I hope you continue giving us your wonderful talent as long as you can and of course want to.
Have you any new parts in the pipeline and could I ask what if any sort of role would you not consider taking on?
My very Best Wishes to you and again, thank you so much for the many years you have given to us and to personally thank you for helping me through some sad times in my life when I wanted to cry tears of sadness and you made me laugh and cry tears of pure joy. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. XX.

Well first of all, thank you positivepam - what a rewarding message. Yes of course there are parts that I wouldn't play, for example, heavy, violent characters, graphic sexual parts or anything that would encourage cruelty of any sort. They wouldn't interest me.

SimpsO

The episode in Only Fools and Horses where Del's baby is born had our whole family in tears - was there a similar atmosphere when it was being made?

Yes. The characters in Only Fools and Horses, we had grown up with them, and to arrive in a situation where a new generation is born (he had been very footloose) and he had now moved on, it was a very moving moment - and is for anybody who's had a child. It was nearly as moving as it would be in real life.

shysal

The roles you have played are so very diverse, and you seem to have avoided being type cast, which I find amazing. Do you have an immediate idea of how you are going to portray a new character or does it develop as you rehearse?

Well thank you for that question - I think you've more or less answered it in your phrasing because it grows or develops organically from rehearsal. It all gestates during rehearsal, because I don't go with any preconceived ideas - I like it to grow.

Wallygrom

Sir David Jason - what an honour! Have loved everything you have ever done, a huge fan and tireless watching over and over again.....
You have clearly had an eventful and busy life and its taken you a long time to write your autobiography - what made you decide to do one now and how long did this take to write as I imagine you have had to be very selective i regard to content? Also if I may pose a final question - we all have the odd skeleton in our closets - do you have one that you would be prepared to divulge that isn't in the book?
thank you for making me laugh over the years and for bringing some happiness into my life x

Well, it's taken me a year to write it (and that means not every day of the week!) to gather all the photos and anecdotes from my past. No there isn't anything, and if there was I wouldn't tell you! ...but thank you for asking.

grannyactivist

I am one of the very few who didn't watch any of the programmes that your name has become synonymous with.........we had no TV. However, that situation changed some years ago when I was given a video of Frost as a Christmas gift and I confess to becoming hooked on the feisty Denton Detective.
My question is this: In what way (if any) did your comedy roles prepare you for playing Jack Frost?

It's a good question - when I read the book Frost, I thought the character and the plot was so original and interesting, but one of the things that was lacking was any humour. And everyone in the country at some time or another has some humour in their lives. I was determined that I wouldn't make him as morose in the book or as other television detectives had been in the past. So, with my background, I decided to add some humour, which I enjoyed.

glammanana

Hello Sir David,What an absolute pleasure to have you on our GN forum and thanks so much to you and your collegues for all the pleasure you have given to us over the years,my question is this why do you think there are no writers of comedy now as there where when "Open All Hours" "Porridge" and "Only Fools" all enjoyed by all my family if only you knew the places the DVD's had been played when my son's where away on a tour of duty you would be amazed.

I think that what has happened is that writers today don't have to have the strict discipline that they had in the past, which forced them to think of another way of getting their ideas across without being graphic. Also, because of the way television has developed, companies are no longer prepared to nurse a new comedy show and that's the reason, I think. It's a shame, but that's modern day for you!

bobbinwinder

Hello from down under, I have loved and enjoyed all the work you have done over the years. probably Granville is my favourite, but totally enjoyed the Frost series too (and the others of course but those two are my favourites).
My question is: Was there much ad-libbing done on any of your shows? and do you ever look back over your life and be quietly amazed at how much you have achieved and humbled at the amount of fans you have bought so much enjoyment to, and who love you and your talent. Just thinking about you brings a smile to my face, god bless

The ad-libbing all took place during rehearsals and most of it would stay in, but it didn't happen during the recording. I'm humbled by how many people enjoy the work I've done, and it's the reason I became an actor in the first place. It's a two-way street; if I can give pleasure through it, it gives me pleasure. That's what we should all be trying to do.

Grannygee

Now that you have a family of your own sir David, do you ever think of your 'TV' family life as Del boy and as big brother to Rodney? Is there anything from that family that you would bring to your true life family?

As for laughter, my strong memory of laughing at 'Only Fools' was when my husband was putting the children to bed one evening and allowed me to watch an episode undisturbed. It was the one where the inflatable "ladies' go up in smoke on the fire and Del says 'I told them not to have the vindaloo'! I slid off my seat and my husband came down to see what all the noise was about. I think you were so fabulous in that series and I loved you too in 'Open All Hours'. RIP Ronnie Barker and long live the tank top! I had a soft spot for Granville and wanted him to find love! Thank you for making us laugh so much xx

I love the idea of you sliding off the sofa! If it makes you laugh that much it can't be bad. Any time you want to slide off the settee I'll join you!

nancy22

Hi there. You are a fantastic actor who can turn your hand to any role and I have to say I have loved them all. Have you got anything in the pipeline for doing any Christmas specials and who was the funniest person you were paired up with? Regards

I'm very much looking forward to reprising my role as Granville, but he is a lot older now and will be taking over the shop, renamed Granville's.

I'd have to say the most talented and funniest person I was paired with would be Ronnie Barker. He is the creme de la creme.

mariesahelper

would you say its too late to start acting career at 57, and what would you do to get started if it was you. Good news about granvill,i have started my Christmas lists, your at the top of my t.v. must watch specials for xmas, I hope that you make more than one, the country needs some nostalgic/up to date clean family comedy, to bring some smiles to faces in these hard times, and to bring together family viewing.

That I agree with! I'm with you a hundred percent. I think Open All Hours has stirred up a lot of interest because a lot of people feel they're not being served good television with your family. What I would say about starting an acting career is: it would be exremely difficult, but where there's life there's hope. I think Del Boy's ideology is the right one - "he who dares, wins".

Enviousamerican

Sir David as an American fan I've seen most all of your work that's been available on DVD. My question is when working with Ronnie Barker who interrupted filming more often from laughing,your or him?

When working with Ronnie B I would be the one that would interrupt the filming because Ronnie would do or say something. I have heard him ad-libbing during the filming and that makes you laugh because it comes out of left field! It would have been me.

Pittcity

It was revealed on the One Show that you were 'The Phantom Raspberry Blower Of Old London Town'!
Do you have any other hidden talents?

Well, I can answer that. I don't think they're hidden talents but I do tend to impersonate people, and one of my pleasures is when I phone people sometimes I will impersonate someone in order to fool them. My latest success was phoning my agent and convincing the office that I was Richard Gere.

notquitebabyboomer

Hi David, lovely to have you with us. My question is, do you think you'll ever properly retire? And what would you do if you did?

No, I won't ever retire and if I did, I'd probably set out to build a helicopter. I probably wouldn't finish it but it's the journey for me, not the destination.

POGS

Dear David.

How wonderful to be able to have this personal contact with you.

I am not an avid reader but I love everything that Tom Sharpe wrote. I know you were in 'Porterhouse Blue' but do you not think you would be suited to many of his other works such as 'The Throwback' or 'Vintage Stuff'. I think the humour in his writing is so you. Let's face it you are the master of comedy acting, not everyone can pull it off.

I think 'Only Fools and Horses' will be the favourite to many of us. The skill of the writer and the skill of the actor is epitomised in 'Only Fools'. The ability to make us laugh out loud one minute and then cry buckets in the next is just marvellous.

You Sir are simply a treasure and I hope your 'Open All Hours' Christmas special is a total success.

I would love to do more Tom Sharpe but nobody seems to be making television adaptations of his work unfortunately!