Sir David Jason has revealed an awkward encounter he had with the late queen that left him feeling like ‘such a wally’.
The 83-year-old actor reflected on the moment he was knighted at Buckingham Palace in 2005.
Sir David revealed he had casually mentioned to Her Majesty that he was making a festive special of Only Fools and Horses before realizing there was ‘no way’ the Queen would be watching the show.
Speak with The Telegraafmagazine, he said, “I felt so wally because she said, ‘What are you doing right now?’ and I said, “I’m doing a Christmas special of Only Fools and ‘Orses, Your Majesty.
“It was such a working-class East End guy and when it came out of my mouth I just thought, there’s no way on earth he would be watching that kind of programme.”
Sir David Jason has revealed an awkward encounter he had with the late Queen that left him feeling like ‘such a wall’ after joining forces with Jay Blades for new series
David has joined forces with Jay Blades from The Repair Shop for a new BBC series meeting talented crafters, hobbyists and enthusiasts from across the country.
Jay himself has also crossed paths with the royal family, after King Charles starred in a special episode of The Repair Shop to mark the BBC’s 100th anniversary in 2022.
About his co-star, David said: “Jay has this amazing ability to take whatever I say to him and come back with something. That is the basis of a good comedy duo.’
David has had a spring in his step in recent weeks after undergoing hip surgery.
The veteran star proved he was back to his best when he attended an Only Fools And Horses convention dressed as his iconic character Delboy.
The convention was due to take place last October, but was postponed so David could have his ‘bionic body part’ fitted.
In November, the beloved actor revealed he had undergone “successful surgery” and filmed a video of himself dramatically ditching his crutches, later shared with Only Fools and Horses News on X, formerly Twitter.
He showed that he was back on his feet and stronger than ever as he started walking towards the camera.
The actor recalled the moment he was knighted at Buckingham Palace in 2005 and casually told the monarch he was filming an Only Fools and Horses Christmas Special.
Three months earlier, Sir David gave fans an update on his health in a statement explaining why he could not appear at the convention.
He joked that he didn’t want to specify exactly which surgery he would have because it might make his fans “all want one.”
He wrote: ‘I am very sorry for the disappointment and any inconvenience this may cause, but we have to change the date of the upcoming Only Fools and Horses Convention.
‘Unfortunately, I have just been told that I need to have a new bionic body part fitted. I won’t tell you which part it is, otherwise you’ll all want one!
“And don’t worry, it won’t be supplied by Monkey Harris, it will be the pukka gear.”
On rescheduling the event, he added: “I really hope everyone can make it to the new date, January 13 and 14.
‘We can all have something tasty to look forward to! These events are such a fun celebration for myself and the rest of the cast of ‘Only Fools’, and it’s such a privilege to meet so many of you, but I want to do it with the smile on my face that I always have had. ‘
Sir David signed his statement: ‘Once again, please accept my sincerest apologies as it was not a decision I took lightly and I hope you understand my situation. Until then, all gentle wishes.”
Sir David is struggling with his health after a ‘severely bad’ battle with Covid in July 2022.
David has been back on his feet in recent weeks after last year’s hip surgery when he dressed up as Del Boy to attend an Only Fools And Horses convention
The viral infection left him so weak that he fell at his home in Ellesborough, Buckinghamshire, and told BBC Breakfast about his fall. ‘All the muscles weren’t working. I collapsed and fell against the radiator. I was so weak, I couldn’t get up.
‘I tried to get up for about 15 minutes so I could walk around.
‘But for that I had to use my head. So now I’m face down on the floor, and to get to the door – and the arms really weren’t working and the legs weren’t working – I used my head to drag me to the door.”
Covid is thought to have caused a condition called myalgia, which causes muscle aches and pains and can affect ligaments, tendons and fascia – the soft tissues that connect muscles, bones and organs.
David and Jay’s Touring Toolshed starts on January 22 at 6.30pm on BBC Two.