How Many Series Of Only Fools And Horses Were There

Only Fools and Horses: A Del Boy Dossier

Alright, gather 'round, 'cause I've got a tale to tell about a certain Trotter family and their TV escapades. You might've heard of 'em, might've even seen 'em, but I bet you don't know everything about Only Fools and Horses. So, grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let's dive in, yeah?

Where It All Began

Picture this: it's the late '70s, the Troubadour pub in Earl's Court is buzzing, and a young comedian named David Jason is holding court. He's spinning yarns about a bloke called 'Del Boy' - a market trader with a dodgy deal here, a grand scheme there. The punters are in stitches, and the BBC's ears are pricked. "Oi, oi, oi!" they cry, "We want more of that!" And so, in 1981, Only Fools and Horses was born.

The Early Years

Series one rolls around, and we're introduced to the Trotter clan: Del, the lovable rogue; his long-suffering brother Rodney; their granddad, who's got more stories than a library; and Uncle Albert, who's always on about the war. It's a right old knees-up, with Del's get-rich-quick schemes, Rodney's moaning, and the boys' banter that's as thick as fog on a Peckham night.

But here's where it gets interesting. You'd think with all that laughter, the show would've been a hit from the get-go, right? Wrong! The first series was a bit of a flop, with only about half of the viewing public tuning in. But the Beeb, they were wise, they knew they had something special. So, they gave it another go, and series two... well, that's a whole other story.

The Rise of the Trotters

Series two drops in 1982, and suddenly, everyone's talking about the Trotters. Del's "Lovely jubbly!" catchphrase is on everyone's lips, and the show's pulling in over 20 million viewers - that's more than half the country! It's a right old party, and the Troubadour's never been so packed.

But here's where things get a bit muddled. You might think, "Well, if series two was such a hit, surely there must've been loads more after that, right?" Wrong again! There were only seven series in total, with the last one airing in 1991. I know, I know, it's a shock, ain't it?

The Christmas Specials

Now, here's where it gets a bit tricky. Those seven series, they're just the start. See, Only Fools and Horses was like a fine wine - it got better with age. And every Christmas, like a big, fat turkey, a special would drop. There were 17 of 'em in total, from 1985 all the way up to 2003. That's right, 2003! Del and Rodney were still at it, even when the rest of us were getting on with our lives.

And here's where I drop a bombshell. You thought the show ended in 1991, didn't ya? Well, it didn't. Not really. See, in 2001, they made a movie. A movie, I tell ya! It was called 'Time on Our Hands', and it was a right old shindig. Del finally got his hands on some proper money, and the boys were off to the South of France. But did they live happily ever after? Well, that's a story for another time.

The Legacy

So, there you have it. Seven series, 17 specials, and one movie. That's the Trotter family's TV legacy. And you know what? It's not just about the numbers. It's about the laughter, the camaraderie, the 'this time next year, we'll be millionaires' spirit. It's about a family that, no matter how many times they fell on their arses, always got back up again. And that, my friends, is something worth celebrating.

Now, who's ready for a pint? Cheers!