Only Fools and Horses legend Sir David Jason has revealed his one career regret.
The Del Boy actor, 84, began his TV career in the 60s, with the BBC sitcom catapulting him to further fame from the 80s, before leading roles in A Touch of Frost and Open All Hours.
However, despite his numerous accolades, Sir David still has one acting regret.
During a rare interview on BBC Breakfast today, he explained: ‘My real disappointment or regret, was that I always wanted to be a National Theatre player.
‘I always wanted to be on the stage of the National Theatre.
‘It was just that romantic image of playing in those big productions, with those big, wonderful actors.
‘That never happened.’
He added that it may be too late for him, saying he doesn’t think his memory would be ‘good enough’ now.
But after being told he could still do it with the help of an autocue, Sir David cheekily looked into the camera and quipped: ‘National Theatre, I’m available!’
The British acting legend also spoke about one character from his past ‘haunting’ him, after playing Del Boy from 1981 to 2003.
He said: ‘That Derek Trotter thing is like a bit of a ghost that comes along behind me like the Christmas Carol.’
‘He’s with me all the time,’ he went on, saying: ‘He’s on my back all the time because wherever I go people recognise me as that character.’
Sir David continued by saying it ‘upsets [him] slightly’ because it feels as though the character is ‘the only thing people remember me for’.
He added: ‘I’m delighted in one way that it has reached so many people and they’ve enjoyed what I’ve done with the character but I’ve done so many other things that people seem to have forgotten about.’
Sir David previously spoke about how the popularity of Only Fools and Horses, which also starred Nicholas Lyndhurst, is both a blessing and a curse.
‘Del Boy is a character that I can’t avoid. He’s become so ingrained in the public’s mind that where I got, I tend to be recognised and then what happens is that people can’t help but interfere with your private life,’ he said.
‘It’s part of the job. It’s part of giving your time and your life to the Great British public, God bless them,’ he added when speaking to The Daily Star earlier this year.
Sir David is also known for several cartoon characters, including Mr. Toad in The Wind in the Willows, the BFG in the 1989 film, and the title characters of Danger Mouse and Count Duckula.
