Hidden dramas behind Only Fools And Horses – from BBC bosses ‘nearly ruining’ Xmas classic to unfortunate prop disasterDel Boy and Rodney’s misadventure dressed as Batman and Robin came out on top – after receiving 28 per cent of your votes. (Image: BBC)
The beloved British sitcom nearly had one of its most iconic moments spoiled by bosses, it has emerged.
The special ‘Heroes And Villains’ from December 1996 featured Del and Rodney dressing up as Batman and Robin for what they believed was a pub landlord’s fancy dress party, only to find out it was their wake.
However, the ‘s publicity department almost ruined the surprise by wanting to reveal the costumes in trailers to promote the show. In his 2020 memoir A Del of a Life, revealed that such a move would have destroyed the “careful build-up” to the scene.
He wrote: “Even a glimpse of Del or Rodney in those stupid costumes before the episode was broadcast, indeed at any moment… would have been ruinous”.
David Jason was determined that the costumes not be leaked (Image: BBC)
Sir Jason and the team fought back, ensuring the secret was kept under wraps with a message stating: “Nothing showing Del and Rodney in those outfits should be leaked.”
To keep the ‘caped crusader’ gag a secret, production was moved to Bristol due to concerns that filming in London would allow paparazzi to leak the surprise. Other precautions included hiring security guards to block off the area from the public and filming after midnight, according to The Sun.
In his book, Sir David added: “A picture in the paper could have spoiled it. A trailer would have killed it stone dead.”, reports Daily Star.
Only Fools and Horses is one of the UK’s most loved shows (Image: BBC)
Heroes and Villains smashed the previous record held by Only Fools And Horses, drawing in a staggering 21.3 million viewers, and was crowned the UK’s favourite Christmas show of all time in a 2001 poll. The iconic moment was also showcased during the closing ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012.
Only Fools and Horses can be watched on iPlayer and ITVX Premium.