Sir David Jason, 85, divides Only Fools and Horses fans as he announces surprise career move away from TV: ‘Too far!’
Sir David Jason, the 85-year-old Only Fools and Horses legend, has announced a major career move away from television – nearly 60 years after his first on-screen appearance.
The beloved actor, known for his iconic role as Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter, is set to take to the stage for a limited one-man show later this year.
Jason will be sharing never-before-told stories from his illustrious career that has spanned six decades.
The rare stage appearance marks a significant shift for the TV icon who has been a staple of British comedy and drama for generations.
The performances will take place at The Lowry Theatre in Salford, Manchester on Friday, August 22, and Saturday, August 23, 2025.
Tickets for the limited shows are priced between £48 and £93, with promoters promising an “evening of nostalgia, laughter, and exclusive insights.”
The 1,730-seat venue will host the TV legend for just two nights as he steps away from the small screen to connect directly with audiences.
The announcement was made on Friday, March 21 by the show’s promoter, but before long, social media users were split, with some expressing their excitement while others had a rather common complaint.
Given this is the first time that Jason has decided to take to the stage, some fans were left deflated to learn he was only going to be performing in Salford for just two nights.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan put this point across in response to the announcement, writing: “Is he doing anymore dates anywhere else? He should do a nationwide tour then this time next year he’ll be a millionaire!”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Only Fools and Horses bosses issue defiant statement as musical cast members ‘upset’ by racist abuseSir David Jason shares sacrifice he’s had to make thanks to health woes: ‘Increasingly uncomfortable’Sir David Jason addresses future of Jay Blades BBC show amid Repair Shop star’s charges
An Evening With Sir David Jason❗️
🗓️ August 2025 | 🎟️ Tickets On Sale Now @The_lowry
For the first time ever, Sir David Jason takes to the stage at The Lowry Theatre, Salford, for an unmissable evening of laughter, untold stories, and rare clips from his iconic roles. pic.twitter.com/FHHSJsZha9
— Only Fools and Horses News (@onlyfoolsnews) March 21, 2025
A second fan agreed, pleading: “Agreed, there’s a lot people that would like to see him. Come to Wales Sir David, please!”
“Will he be coming to London,” a third weighed in before another disappointed fan wrote: “Too far for me,” followed by a sad face emoji.
And the complaints kept on coming from another who waded into the debate: “Oh i WISH I could go…”
However, there was still plenty of buzz among those who’d managed to bag tickets, including one social media user who said: “Booked tickets for this last night. Absolutely love OFAH and also a Touch Of Frost so I can’t wait!” (sic)
Teasing the limited show in the announcement, the promoters said: “Through hilarious anecdotes and personal reflections, he takes the audience on a journey — from his early days in amateur dramatics to becoming one of Britain’s most beloved actors.”
The show will reveal how chance encounters, hard work, and luck led Jason to create some of the most iconic TV characters in British history.
Fans will discover how Del Boy’s character evolved beyond the writer’s original vision and how he crafted his diverse roles.
The promoters added: “Relive some of the most unforgettable moments in British TV history, including the legendary Only Fools and Horses scenes — the bar fall, the chandelier disaster, Batman and Robin, and more.”
Jason will take audiences behind the curtain, revealing the secrets and techniques that made these moments timeless.
The show will also explore Jason’s work as a voice actor, highlighting his roles in animated classics like Danger Mouse, The BFG, Count Duckula, and Toad.
NEW ON SALE – Sir David Jason at Lowry – On general sale on Fridayhttps://t.co/1g56LGLWRS@The_Lowry #sirdavidjason pic.twitter.com/iX3eK2uCqO
— Manchester Theatres (@manctheatres) March 20, 2025
A celebrity guest will join Jason on stage each night, though their identities remain a mystery.
Throughout the evening, he will discuss his varied career including his roles in A Touch of Frost, Open All Hours, and The Darling Buds of May.
Jason will also reflect on personal aspects of his life, including emotional events and the loss of his partner to cancer over two decades ago.
He has previously spoken about the death of his co-star John Challis, telling Good Morning Britain it “wasn’t a complete surprise” but that John “went downhill so fast.”
The actor has been open about his health challenges in recent years, including mobility issues and a hip replacement in 2023.
Speaking to the Sunday Times about his memory, Sir David admitted: “My memory isn’t what it used to be… Most of us reach this point when things aren’t quite as bright as they used to be.”
Despite these challenges, he remains positive, noting: “I don’t wear a hearing aid, I don’t wear glasses, and I’ve only had to replace one bit of my body, so I’m not doing too bad.”