David Jason has praised the stage production of Only Fools and Horses The Musical.
The British actor who played Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter in the original sitcom, recently revealed that he was moved after watching the musical for the first time.
Only Fools and Horses: The Musical has returned for a tour across Ireland and the UK, following a four year run on the West End, celebrating its gala night at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo on Wednesday (18 December).
Having watched the show, David Jason said: "It's hysterical, it’s very, very good".
The actor continued: "What I did like about it was so much of the original script was used and they did it so well that sometimes, even it took me by surprise, and I was laughing".
"And so the whole show was a memory for me of the whole thing, the scripts, the characters. It was lovely to see them all and everybody was working so well together, very much like we did originally… I’m so moved".
This run of shows will see the musical conclude with five nights in Dublin next July. More on this here.
Jason also called the atmosphere on the night, "unbelievable".
"They got a standing ovation at the end. I had to get out, I was embarrassed. How dare they? How dare they get a standing ovation? And I missed out on it", he said.
The actor also said that it brought back memories of filming the sitcom.
"And some of the good characters and actors that are no longer with us as well, sort of very nearly brought a tear to my eye", he added.
Along with Only Fools and Horses, David Jason is also known for his roles as Granville in Open All Hours, and Still Open All Hours, Inspector Jack Frost in A Touch Of Frost, as well as Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds of May.
Jim Sullivan, son of the late John Sullivan, original writer for OFAH, wrote the script and score for the musical, alongside actor Paul Whitehouse.
The musical also sees former footballer Vinnie Jones make his debut on stage, starring as Danny Driscoll, one half of the notorious Driscoll crime brothers, while Whitehouse portrays Granddad 'Ted' Trotter.
It follows Del Boy as he tries to find a soulmate, his brother Rodney as he marries Cassandra, while Boycie and Marlene try to give parenthood another shot. The production was led by original West End director Caroline Jay Ranger
