SIR David Jason, best known for his iconic comedy series, Only Fools and Horses, also popped up in another legendary show.
It has been revealed that the comedic icon appeared in The Two Ronnies series as the voice of the Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town.
Sir David Jason said playing this secret role was one of the highlights of his career[/caption]
He was the voice The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town on The Two Ronnies[/caption]
The sketch was originally written by Spike Milligan[/caption]
David had long worked with Ronnie Barker, but his appearance in the 1976 sketch has come as a surprise to many.
The Jack the Ripper parody sketch tells of a psychopathic killer roaming the streets to Victorian London who attacked and murdered his victims by blowing them a raspberry.
Rumours had long circulated that the Irish comedian, Spike Milligan, was the voice of the character but David revealed in his 2013 autobiography called David Jason: My Life.
Milligan did in fact write the character which had first appeared on the show, Six Dates with Barker in 1971 and later adapted by Ronnie for his own sketch series.
“In 1976, The Two Ronnies included a weekly serial called The Phantom Raspberry Blower Of Old London Town, about an elusive figure who does for people by leaping out and blowing raspberries at them, and I was given the honour of providing the raspberries for the soundtrack,” David wrote in his autobiography.
“As Ronnie B knew, few people blow a raspberry as well as me. Indeed, I consider myself a world leader. But still Ronnie monitored my raspberry-blowing extremely carefully, for volume, tone and duration.”
David added: “At one point, he had me in the sound booth while he stood on the other side of the glass, and he conducted me, very earnestly, in an entirely blown-raspberry version of the 1812 Overture.
“I still have the credit board, which reads ‘Phantom Raspberry Blower — David Jason’ and I’m enormously proud of my contribution to that little moment of comic history.”
The character was so popular it got its own stage adaptation decades later.
Name after the raspberry-blowing killer, the theatre play debuted at St James Theatre in 2015 and performed a special show for the Princes Trust, before heading out on a UK tour the following year.
David is most known for his work on Only Fools and Horses, A Touch of Frost and Darling Buds of May.
The star has been given a series of accolades in recognition for his work in acting and comedy – being given and OBE in 1993, before being knighted in 2005.
His most iconic role was as Derek “Del Boy” Trotter in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses.
The sitcom was based in Peckham, South East London and ran from 1981 to 1996 – with specials in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
David revealed his role in the sketch in his 2013 autobiography[/caption]
Ronnie Barker (L) and Ronnie Corbett were the stars of The Two Ronnies sketch show[/caption]
Only Fools and Horses’ most memorable episodes
The beloved sitcom only aired for seven series but is still adored to this date – here are fans’ most memorable scenes from the BBC hit…
- Jolly Boys’ Outing – The humorous episode was filled with disaster and also romance. It saw Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad leave Peckham for a day trip to Margate. However, their coach explodes, Rodney is arrested and Del Boy reunites with Raquel.
- Time on their Hands – The episode sees the Trotters reflect on their life in South London after finally becoming millionaires. Airing in 1996, it pulled in an incredible 24million viewers.
- A Touch of Glass – This unforgettable episode sees Del Boy and his chandelier cleaning service. In hilarious scenes, he and Rodney accidentally drop a chandelier, sending it crashing to the floor.
- Stage Fright – Raquel performs with Tony Angelino while pregnant to perform a duet – but she’s unaware he has a speech impediment.
- Yuppy Love – Derek attempts to transform himself into a high-flyer, wearing a stripped shirt and red braces. It also sees Del fall through the bar, while Rodney meets Cassandra for the first time.
- Mother Nature’s Son – Del Boy inherits an allotment from his grandad, but it’s contaminated by a yellow substance. The Peckham Spring Water business is then born – but it’s actually just tap water from Nelson Mandela House.
- Heroes and Villains – Del Boy and Rodney dress up as Batman and Robin for Harry Malcolm’s party. However, Boycie forgot to mention Harry died, and it had become a wake!
- To Hull and Back – Del Boy is convinced to smuggle diamonds from The Netherlands. PC Roy Slater intercepts them before he’s later arrested for corruption. It ends with Del throwing his £15k over the balcony thinking it was fake – when it was in fact real!
- The Russians are Coming – The threat of nuclear war looms over Peckham so the Trotters decide to batten down the hatches. They build a DIY war shelter – on the top of Mandela House.
- The Unlucky Winner Is – Rodney wins a holiday abroad after Del Boy entered him into a painting competition. However, when he lands in Spain Rodney discovers it’s a prize for children and must pretend he’s a 14-year-old child.
