Sir David Jason reveals how Only Fools and Horses accidentally 'cracked the code' of TV success

Sir David Jason thinks 'Only Fools and Horses' only managed to "crack the code" of success after being given a second series.

The 83-year-old actor starred as Del Boy in the classic sitcom - which ran sporadically from 1981 until 2003 - but explained that the first run of episodes hadn't received many viewers and the only reason they were given a second chance was because channel bosses were "desperate" to fill the screens with something.

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, he said: "Something happened with the television strike or whatever and they were desperate for something to go on. So we had done a series and it went out. Three people and their dog watched it, and that's all it was. But because they were desperate for something to fill the airwaves, they grabbed hold of 'Only Fools and Horses' again, and put that on again. That thing. Because it came on a second time, people then, as I always say, you've got to give it time. So because of that, we managed to crack the code!"

Meanwhile, David has penned 'The Twelve Dels of Christmas' which looks back on life on set of the Christmas specials of 'Only Fools and Horses' and explained how the "magic" of it all started with the series' creator John Sullivan, who died in 2011,

He said: "The credit really goes to the writer, John Sullivan. He's underplayed a lot when we do interviews because the creation, the magic of it all starts with the written word. He really was a one-off.

"Once you get that inspiration, it comes from the written word, that inspires you as someone who has trod the boards for a long time. It does galvanize you into being creative in that sort of way. "