‘We only came in for one episode!’ Only Fools and Horses stars Tessa Peake-Jones, 64, and Gwyneth Strong, 62, reunite to discuss the iconic sitcom 41 YEARS after its launch
Only Fools and Horses stars Tessa Peake-Jones and Gwyneth Strong made a surprise appearance on Tuesday’s Loose Women to discuss the iconic sitcom, 41 years after it first hit TV screens.
The pair famously played brothers Del Boy and Rodney’s wives Raquel and Cassandra respectively, and starred until its last ever episode in 2003.
During the appearance Tessa, 64, who has continued to act in Grantchester, and Gwyneth, 62, revealed that they were originally only set to star in one episode of the show in 1988, but were so popular they remained a part of the cast until its end.
Reunited! Only Fools and Horses stars Tessa Peake-Jones (left) and Gwyneth Strong (right) made a surprise appearance on Tuesday’s Loose Women to discuss the iconic sitcom
During the interview Tessa, who eventually tamed wheeler dealer Del Boy, revealed Loose Women was filmed in the same studio where they recorded the show in its final years.
She said: ‘We were last here 20 years ago,’ the actress admitted. ’20 years ago pacing up and down here worrying about when the warm-up was on.
‘Will the audience like us? Will we be alright? Will we remember our lines? That was all here in the ITV studio.’
Iconic: The pair famously played brothers Del Boy and Rodney’s wives Raquel and Cassandra respectively, and starred until its last ever episode in 200
Legendary: David Jason starred as the iconic wheeler dealer Del Boy Trotter in the series (left in the show and the actor right in 2015)
Throwback: Nicholas Lyndhurst (right in 2019) played Del Boy’s brother Rodney (left) forever embroiled in his money-making schemes
Classic: During the interview Tessa (right), whose character Raquel (left) eventually tamed wheeler dealer Del Boy, revealed she originally signed up for a single episode
Love story: Gwyneth (right), who played Rodney’s wife Cassandra (left), added that she and Tessa never filmed a scene alone together
Only Fools and Horses first hit screens in 1981, and focused on Peckham-based brothers Del Boy and Rodney Trotter in their quest to become millionaires through dodgy deals and hilarious schemes.
The series received numerous awards, including recognition from BAFTA, the National Television Awards and the Royal Television Society, as well as individual accolades for both David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
The programme ran for seven series and 16 Christmas specials until 2003, with the final episode of series seven attracting a record audience for a British sitcom of 24.3 million viewers.
Beloved: Gwyneth added that when they first joined the cast of Only Fools, they had no idea their characters would become so popular
Among its most iconic moments were the Heroes and Villains episode which saw Del Boy and Rodney dress up as Batman and Robin, and the moment the brothers finally became millionaires after discovering a rare watch.
Despite starring together on the show for many years, Tessa and Gwyneth revealed they never filmed a scene together alone.
Gwyneth told the panel: ‘We spent our lives talking to each other because we made a friendship very quickly.’
‘It feels like we worked together but only in group scenes so we were never really alone together as that wasn’t the push of the storyline.
‘It was about being their partners, I think we spoke on the phone in a few episodes.’
Pals: Gwyneth told the panel: ‘We spent our lives talking to each other because we made a friendship very quickly’
Gwyneth added that when they first joined the cast of Only Fools, they had no idea their characters would become so popular.
Cassandra made her first appearance in Peckham in 1989 as a love interest for Rodney, with the pair eventually marrying and becoming parents, while Tessa’s character Raquel joined the cast in 1988.
‘We never saw that coming at all, and when we went into it we didn’t it would be for a full series,’ Gwyneth told the panel.
‘We were both booked for an episode, it was all a bit last minute so that helped in a way. We thought it was exciting to do one episode and it went from there.’
Lovely Jubbly! Only Fools and Horses first hit screens in 1981, and focused on Peckham-based brothers Del Boy and Rodney Trotter in their quest to become millionaires
Since the show began, star David also played Detective Inspector Jack Frost in the crime drama A Touch of Frost from the 1992 until 2010, and earlier in his career had starred as Granville alongside Ronnie Barker in the sitcom Open All Hours.
He reprised his role in the sequel, Still Open All Hours, in 2014, and was knighted in 2005 for his services to drama.
Nicholas went onto star as Gary Sparrow in the popular show Goodnight Sweetheart, which aired from 1993 to 1999.
He also starred in an Only Fools and Horses prequel called Rock & Chips, with the Inbetweeners actor James Buckley, in 2010, and the BBC detective drama New Tricks as the aloof retired Detective Chief Inspector Dan Griffin.
The series also starred as Lennard Pearce as Del Boy and Rodney’s Grandad until the actor’s death in 1984, with Buster Merryfield later taking on the role of Uncle Albert..
Veteran actors Roger Lloyd-Pack and John Challis also appeared as Trigger and Boycie respectively.
TV’s golden age: The programme ran for seven series and 16 Christmas specials until 2003, with the final episode of series seven attracting a record audience of 24.3 million viewers
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