Only Fools and Horses have seen some huge transformations (Image: BBC)
, the beloved British comedy series starring and Nicholas Lyndhurst, is essentially a national treasure. The timeless classic, which left viewers gutted when it ended in 2003, made household names of its main characters and has become one of the most quoted and iconic shows on British TV.
Debuting in 1981, David portrayed the main character Derek “Del Boy” Trotter, with the plot revolving around him and his younger brother Rodney, played by Nicholas, hustling in Peckham with dreams of becoming “millionaires”.
The hapless escapades of Del Boy and Rodders, always finding themselves in a pickle, were the highlights of the show.
Whether evading the police for peddling questionable merchandise, showing up at the wrong funeral, or dealing with women issues, Del and Rodders kept the nation in stitches.
But what of the lesser-known characters who were integral parts of storylines? Let’s see where they are and what they’re up to now.
Patrick Murry looks very different now (Image: BBC)
Patrick Murray featured in a third of the iconic episodes (Image: Getty)
Patrick Murray
Patrick, now 66, portrayed Mickey Pearce, Rodney Trotter’s best friend. Frequently hitting the dance floor together to woo women, the two buddies were inseparable.
Despite being one of the main characters’ closest pals he only featured in 20 of the 64 episodes of the sitcom.
Following his role in the Peckham-set sitcom, Patrick continued his acting career with roles in ‘Curse of the Pink Panther’ and ‘The Firm’. However, he eventually retired from acting and briefly worked as a cab driver in Kent.
Patrick also had stints as a builder and a professional poker player. During an appearance on Loose Women in 2018, he revealed that he met his wife, Anong, in Thailand and they have a daughter named Josie.
Recently, he disclosed that he’s been diagnosed with cancer for the second time and has undergone surgery to remove half of his liver. In May 2022, he shared that he had recovered from lung cancer, but is currently undergoing treatment for a second primary cancer.
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Damien Trotter was the son of Del Boy and Raquel (Image: BBC)
Damien Trotter
The offspring of Del Boy and Raquel Turner, Damien Trotter, was introduced to audoences in the episode Three Men, A Woman And A Baby.
Damien was nicknamed the “devil child” by his Uncle Rodney, who harboured an almost supernatural dread of him.
Ben Smith accounts for one of the gents who took on Damien’s portrayal, steering the ship from 2001 to 2003.
Benjamin in the the mini-series Resistance (Image: BBC)
His stint as Damien spanned across the much-loved Only Fools and Horses Christmas specials – titles including If They Could See Us Now, Strangers on the Shore, and Sleepless in Peckham.
Since the show ended, the actor, now 32, has appeared on a string of British TV staples, including Holby City, Silent Witness, Doctors, The Bill, Misfits, Casualty, and even popped up in Doctor Who’s 2006 episode, School Reunion.
But thats not all – 2008 saw him join the cast of One’s as Tegs Teague, a ringleader whose machinations stirred the pot in Albert Square with his gang E20.
In 2021, Ben was his most unrecognisable in the role of Robbie Lennox in wartime drama Resistance, set during World War II.
Paul Barber as Denzil in Only Fools and Horses with David Jason (Image: BBC)
Paul Barber
Paul portrayed the loveable lorry driver, Denzil Tulser in the comedy series. The laid-back characterr often fell prey to Del’s get-rich-quick schemes, yet remained trusting of the Peckham-born rogue.
Now, some 20 years since the show ended, the Liverpudlian looks entirely different. At 70, he now sports grey hair and a beard. He was pictured sporting dreadlocks in 2002.
After his stint in Only Fools and Horses, he grabbed a guest spot in the ‘s Tracy Beaker spin-off, The Dumping Ground, embodying the character of George, a homeless chap.
Later, he starred in 2014’s One Night in Istanbul in the role of a taxi driver.
Paul is now a silver Fox and is still in the showbiz world (Image: UK)
Mickey was better known as “Mental Mickey” (Image: BBC)
Daniel Peacock
Daniel, who portrayed Mental Mickey in the beloved sitcom Only Fools and Horses, has had a significant career shift recently.
Despite appearing in only two episodes of the sitcom, the 64 year old TV star traded his acting career for a job at Hastings Court Care Home on the south coast.
With an acting career spanning over 40 years, including a role in the hit film Quadrophenia, Daniel transitioned into his new career three years ago while his father, Trevor Peacock, was suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Daniel, who is best known for his role as Jim Trott in The Vicar of Dibley, was inspired to change careers after witnessing his father’s experience in a care home. Trevor, who sadly passed away in March 2021, had been living with Alzheimer’s disease.
“Because my dad had been in a residential home, tragically, with the most awful disease Alzheimers, it was the first time I came face to face with this terrible condition and I wasn’t overly impressed with the care home,” he revealed to MyLondon last year.
Upon arriving at Hastings Court, he found the environment more akin to a high-end hotel. Adding: “I started to inject some entertainment and conversation between the residents and bringing them all together.”
Daniel now works at a care home (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga)
Tessa Peake-Jones
Tessa, best known for her role as Raquel Turner, Del Boy’s love interest in the iconic sitcom Only Fools and Horses, has had a varied career. She was a regular on the show from 1988 to 1993, 1996, and then again from 2001 to 2003.
Post her Only Fools stint, Tessa made appearances in popular shows like Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Holby City, The Bill, Up the Garden Path and So Haunt Me.
In 2009 and 2011, she played Sue Bond in the daytime soap opera Doctors, and also appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas episode in 2013.
Tessa with co-star David Jason on Only Fools and Horses set in1991 (Image: Getty Images)
Tessa still appears on TV now after the show (Image: ITV)
Since 2014, she has been seen in Grantchester as Sylvia Maguire, the vicar’s religious housekeeper. Tessa was with her partner Douglas Hodge for 27 years before they separated in February 2013.
They have two children, Charlie and Molly-Rose.
Only Fools and Horses is one of the country’s most beloved shows (Image: Getty Images)
Only Fools and Horses centered around the ins and outs of the iconic Trotters’ flat – a property situated on the 12th floor of Nelson Mandela House on Nyrere Estate, Peckham, that was built in 1960.
It followed the highs and lows of the Trotter family living in the council home. The three-bedroom South London flat was home to Del Boy Trotter (portrayed by David Jason), his younger brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), and their Grandad (Lennard Pearce).
Peckham has since seen a dramatic transformation, becoming a hotbed of business activity and a thriving nightlife centre, perfect for city workers.
in the current property market. Foxtons reports that, as of 2024, the going rate for a three-bedroom Peckham residence is around £593,706, with properties on the market fluctuating between £300,000 to £1,300,000.
The Trotters home would now cost about £685 per week, or roughly £2,968 each month. Reflecting on 1981, the fictional family paid close to £150 a month for their three-bedroom council flat. In todays financial climate, our wheeler-dealer Del Boy would be hustling overtime at the markets to cover these lofty rents!