Will Del Boy ever make a comeback

A. it seems Del Boy Trotter and his brother Rodney will be back after a five-year absence. The original cast of Only Fools and Horses, possibly Britain's most popular sitcom, will begin filming one of three new BBC episodes in November. The stars, Nicholas Lyndhurst and David Jason, had previously been unable to find time to start filming a new series.

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Q. When did the series end

A.� There were seven series, running from 1981 to 1996, and 16 Christmas specials. The 'final' one was shown in 1996.

The series drew a record audience of 24.3 million for its closing episode.

It was first broadcast in the UK on September 6 1981, and the original cast is thought to be returning to make a new series. Characters include Cassandra (Gwyneth Strong), Raquel (Tessa Peake-Jones), Trigger (Roger Lloyd-Pack), Boycie (John Challis), and Marlene (Sue Holderness). The series was created and written by John Sullivan.

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Q.� What was the series about

A.� It followed the misfortunes of the Trotter Independent Trading Company. The series was introduced with Del Boy trying to sell one-legged turkeys to the public. It became the most popular series of the 80s, and Del Boy's sayings were copied across the UK. He immortalised words such as 'dipstick', 'plonker', 'lovely jubbly' and 'bonnet de douche', when he was giving a toast. He was also fond of saying 'cushty', which is supposed to have originated from soldiers in India. When soldiers were posted to a base at Cushtabar, it became known as a 'cushty'.

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Q.� When did Uncle Albert join

A.� Buster Merryfield joined the series in 1983 after Granda, played by Lennard Pearce, died.

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Q.� Who wrote the words to the theme tune

A.� The opening and closing theme was composed and actually sung by the creator, John Sullivan. It was arranged and composed by Ronnie Hazlehurst.

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Stick a pony in my pocket,

I'll fetch a suitcase from the van

Cos if you want the best uns

But don't ask questions,

Then brother, I'm your man

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Q.� What had Jason and Lyndhurst appeared in before Only Fools

A.� The series was undoubtably their big break, although they had both appeared in TV series. David Jason, who was born in 1940, made his first appearance in South Sea Bubble. He had appeared in Porridge, and went on to make the Darling Buds of May and a Touch of Frost. Lyndhurst, who was born in 1961 in Hampshire, trained at the Coronoa Academy. He had appeared in Butterflies alongside Wendy Craig, and has been in numerous programmes, including Goodnight Sweetheart.

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By Katharine MacColl

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