Who Played Slater In Only Fools And Horses

Alright, gather 'round, gather 'round! You know when you're watching an episode of Only Fools and Horses, and you're laughing so hard you're spilling your pint? Well, today we're going to talk about the man who played the lovable, if a tad dim, Rodney Trotter - Nicholas Lyndhurst. Now, buckle up, because this isn't your average 'who played who' story. We're going on a little journey, a journey through the Trotters' Peckham, filled with laughter, tears (of laughter, mostly), and a few surprises.

From the Stage to the Small Screen

Now, you might think Nicholas Lyndhurst was born with a Del Boy cap on his head, destined to play Rodney. But no, my friends, his journey was a bit more winding than a Trotter family scheme. He started his acting career on the stage, treading the boards in the West End. Can you imagine little Nicholas, all dressed up in tights, reciting Shakespeare? I bet he was a right little Romeo!

But fate, or perhaps the BBC, had other plans. In 1981, Nicholas auditioned for the role of Rodney in a new sitcom called Only Fools and Horses. The rest, as they say, is history. Or, as Del would put it, "You know it makes sense."

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Meet Rodney: The Lovable Numpty

So, Nicholas slipped into the role of Rodney like a well-worn slipper. Rodney, the younger brother of Del Boy, was always trying to help out, but usually ended up causing more trouble than good. He was the eternal optimist, always seeing the best in people, even when they were trying to sell him a dodgy watch or a bar of soap that's "gone a bit funny".

Nicholas brought a certain warmth and innocence to the role that made us all love Rodney, despite his many, many misadventures. He was the heart of the show, the straight man to David Jason's brilliant comic timing as Del Boy. And let's not forget his iconic catchphrase, "Roady, you plonker!" which has echoed through living rooms across the country for decades.

*Only Fools and Horses: Here’s what the actor who played corrupt cop Roy*

Surprise, Surprise!

Now, here's where things get a bit interesting. Did you know that Nicholas Lyndhurst wasn't the first choice for the role of Rodney? No, no, no! The part was originally offered to Gary Sweet, who turned it down. Can you believe it? The man who turned down Rodney! I mean, who does that?

But fate, or perhaps the BBC (again), had other plans. Gary Sweet missed out on his chance at Trotter fame, and Nicholas Lyndhurst stepped in, ready to make the role his own. And boy, did he ever!

Life After the Trotters

After Only Fools and Horses ended in 1991, Nicholas Lyndhurst didn't disappear into the Peckham sunset. No, he went on to star in other TV shows, like The Dick Emery Show and Goodnight Sweetheart. He even played a police officer in the long-running series New Tricks. Talk about a career U-turn!

*Only Fools and Horses' Roy Slater who would always grass on Del Boy*

But no matter what he does, Nicholas will always be Rodney to us. The lovable numpty who tried his best, and always made us laugh. And isn't that the best kind of legacy?

So, Here's to Nicholas Lyndhurst

Here's to the man who brought Rodney Trotter to life, who made us laugh, and who proved that even if you're not the sharpest tool in the box, you can still have a heart of gold. Cheers, Nicholas! You plonker. (In the nicest way possible, of course.)

And there you have it, folks. The story of Nicholas Lyndhurst, the man who played Rodney in Only Fools and Horses. I hope you've enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. Now, who's ready for another pint?