British Comedy Guide
Only Fools And Horses. Image shows from L to R: Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Del (David Jason), Grandad (Lennard Pearce). Copyright: BBC
Only Fools And Horses

Only Fools And Horses

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1981 - 2003
  • 64 episodes (7 series)

Sitcom about two market traders, Del Boy and his brother Rodney. Stars David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Buster Merryfield, Lennard Pearce, Roger Lloyd Pack and more.

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Dates

Del attempts to meet his dream woman at a dating agency after seeing Trigger have some success. Meanwhile, Uncle Albert is dropping heavy hints about his impending birthday...

Further details

Uncle Albert's hints about his forthcoming birthday have been coming thick and fast but Del and Rodney try to pretend they haven't noticed - while secretly arranging a surprise party in the Nag's Head.

Del has been surprised by how successful Trigger has been at a dating agency and decides that he will give it a try as well. He registers under the name Derek Duvale and soon meets up with his first date, an actress called Raquel, who he treats to a steak lunch at the Hilton. They hit it off straight away and it looks like love is in the air.

Even Rodney seems to be having some success as he has persuaded barmaid 'Nervous Nerys' to go out on a date with him - despite Jevon and Mickey Pearce getting nowhere with her because they weren't macho enough for her.

But, as usual, everything is not as it seems and all three are in for a big surprise as their bubble is about to be burst one more time.

Broadcast details

Date
Sunday 25th December 1988
Time
5:05pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
80 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
David Jason Del
Nicholas Lyndhurst Rodney
Buster Merryfield Uncle Albert
Roger Lloyd Pack Trigger
Patrick Murray Mickey Pearce
John Challis Boycie
Sue Holderness Marlene
Tessa Peake-Jones Raquel
Kenneth MacDonald Mike
Guest cast
Andree Bernard Nervous Nerys
Steven Woodcock Jevon
Roy Heather Sid
Tony Marshall Chris
Chris Stanton (as Christopher Stanton) Technomatch agent
Jean Warren Sonia
Nicholas Courtney Charles
Paul Beringer Policeman
Margaret Norris Policewoman
Martin Cochrane Naval officer
Jean Challis Mrs Sansom
Writing team
John Sullivan Writer
Production team
Tony Dow Director
Gareth Gwenlan Producer
John Jarvis Editor
Chris Wadsworth Editor
Graham Lough Production Designer
John Sullivan Composer

Press

When Del Boy fell for Raquel: inside Only Fools And Horses' finest Christmas episode

First shown 35 years ago, Dates marked a dramatic - and romantic - turn for the sitcom. Tessa Peake-Jones - aka Raquel - recalls its magic.

Tom Fordy, The Telegraph, 20th December 2023

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