About the Book
The complete soundtracks of the last eight Christmas specials – plus The Only Fools and Horses Story documentary
Running from 1981 to 2003, Only Fools and Horses grew into Britain’s most popular sitcom, with audiences of millions and a string of award wins. In 1996, more than 24 million viewers tuned in to ‘Time on Our Hands’, setting the record as the most-watched sitcom episode in UK television history.
Now you can revisit that chart-topping episode, and seven more seasonal editions, in this sensational soundtrack collection. Featured here are all the specials from 1992-2003, starring David Jason as Del Boy, Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney, Buster Merryfield as Uncle Albert, Tessa Peake-Jones as Raquel and Gwyneth Strong as Cassandra.
Take a trip back to Christmas past, as Del devises a money-spinning idea to market ‘Peckham Spring’ water; Raquel leaves Del as he returns to his old ways of drinking and gambling; caped crusaders Del and Rodney hit the town for a night out, and Cassandra suffers a miscarriage.
After years of striving, the Trotters become millionaires at last – only to lose it all after investing in the Central American markets. Embarking on a booze cruise to France, they bring back more than they bargained for, in the form of illegal immigrant ‘Gary’. And in the last ever episode, with Cassandra about to give birth, the family is facing bankruptcy and eviction – but there’s a surprise in store in Uncle Albert’s will...
Also included is a bonus documentary, The Only Fools and Horses Story, telling the behind-the-scenes story of the beloved show through interviews with writer John Sullivan, the cast and crew and some famous fans. Lovely jubbly!
Production credits
Created and written by John Sullivan
Theme songs written, composed and performed by John Sullivan
Produced by Gareth Gwenlan
Directed by Tony Dow
Executive Producer: John Sullivan
Associate Producer: Gail Evans
Regular cast
Del – David Jason
Rodney – Nicholas Lyndhurst
Uncle Albert – Buster Merryfield
Trigger – Roger Lloyd Pack
Boycie – John Challis
Mickey Pearce – Patrick Murray
Marlene – Sue Holderness
Denzil – Paul Barber
Mike – Kenneth MacDonald
Raquel – Tessa Peake-Jones
Cassandra – Gwyneth Strong
Sid – Roy Heather
Alan Parry – Denis Lill
Pamela Parry – Wanda Ventham
Damien – Jamie Smith/Benjamin Smith
Other cast includes: Robert Glenister, Tony Marshall, Robert Liddement, Mel Martin, Andrew Charleson, Derek Martin, Nick Maloney, Lyn Langridge, Bryan Brittain, Angela Bruce, Douglas Hodge, Steve Weston, Scott Marshall, Dan Clark, Fuman Dar, Sheree Murphy, Bhasker Patel, Michael Jayston, Ann Lynn, Jotham Annan, Kim Wall, Joan Hodges, Colum Convey, Daniel Hope, Jonathan Ross, James Ellis, Nasser Memarzia, David Olufemi, Nabil Elouahabi, Peter Blythe
Episode guide
Mother Nature’s Son (25 Dec 1992)
Fatal Extraction (25 Dec 1993)
Heroes and Villains (25 Dec 1996)
Modern Men (27 Dec 1996)
Time on Our Hands (29 December 1996)
If They Could See Us Now (25 Dec 2001)
Strangers on the Shore (25 Dec 2002)
Sleepless in Peckham (25 Dec 2003)
The Only Fools and Horses Story (20 Dec 2002)
NB: The language on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcast. Some small edits have had to be made for music copyright purposes
Only Fools And Horses logo™ & © BBC 1981
© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
About the Author :
John Sullivan was best known as the creator of the BBC comedy series Only Fools and Horses, which ran from 1981 until 2003. Across seven series and 18 Christmas specials, he wrote 64 episodes in total, and the show is still widely regarded as Britain’s favourite sitcom.
The final episode of the 1996 Christmas trilogy, Time on Our Hands, drew a record 24.3 million viewers — the highest audience ever for a British television sitcom.
Sullivan also wrote the spin-off The Green Green Grass and the prequel Rock and Chips. He created other hit BBC comedies including Citizen Smith, Just Good Friends and Dear John, and later the comedy-drama Roger, Roger. Often described as ‘the Dickens of his generation’, he was awarded an OBE in 2005 for services to drama. He died in 2011.
Sir David Jason was born in 1940 in North London. His acting career has been long and varied: from his theatre work in the West End to providing the voices of Mr Toad from The Wind in the Willows, Dangermouse and The BFG. From Open All Hours to The Darling Buds of May to his starring roles as Detective Inspector Frost in A Touch of Frost and, of course, Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter in Only Fools and Horses.
The 1996 Only Fools Christmas special 'Time on Our Hands' was seen live by 24.35 million viewers and to this day is the UK's most-watched comedy show of all time.
David Jason is the author of three No.1 Sunday Times bestselling books: My Life; Only Fools & Stories and A Del of a Life.
