Latest news with #DelBoy
Telegraph
a day ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
How Del Boy's Reliant Regal captured the hearts of the UK – and six other famous vans
Let's get one thing straight. The grubby yellow van that Del Boy and Rodders use for Trotters Independent Trading Co isn't a Reliant Robin, as often believed. Nor is it a Regal Robin. It's a Reliant Regal Supervan III. Now we've cleared that one up, it's astonishing that a vehicle so resoundingly rubbish has been voted the nation's favourite van. But in a survey by comparison site nearly a quarter of respondents named the brothers' Regal as their favourite commercial carrier. With its fibreglass bodywork, puny 29hp 700cc engine and of course one fewer wheel than is ideal, the Supervan could never really live up to its name. That said, Del and Rodney did give the little Reliant near-mythical status. And it was cemented by the 1988 Only Fools and Horses Christmas special car chase, which saw Rodders and his date, 'nervous' Nerys from The Nag's Head, trying to outrun a gang of yobs. Anyone who has driven a Reliant three-wheeler will know what a terrifying prospect that is. However, when I tested one in the 1990s, I still remember its gear change as one of the most positive I've ever experienced: with its lever sitting right on top of the gearbox, there's barely any linkage to add imprecision to gear shifts. There is obviously a lot of nostalgia when it comes to vans, as suggests. In its survey, the Only Fools and Horses Supervan is followed by a host of vehicles from films and television shows that in some cases date back 40 years. Here are the next favourites among the nation's van lovers. Ghostbusters' Ecto-1 Who ya gonna call? Perhaps someone who knows the difference between cars and vans would be a start. There's a strong argument that Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters – the country's second-most popular 'van' – isn't a van at all. It's actually a Cadillac Series 75, which is probably best known as the ocean liner-length Fleetwood limo. General Motors-owned Cadillac also sold the Series 75 chassis as a commercial vehicle, enabling coachbuilders such as Miller-Meteor to add their own bodywork for undertakers and the ambulance that Ecto-1 is. That Ecto-1 isn't a van would probably please Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek and Spanish dictator General Franco. It's unlikely either would have been as eager to order Fleetwoods if they had known their transport was based on a humble commercial vehicle. Mind you, neither leader would be overly impressed that their status symbol found fame as a comedy ambulance. The Mystery Machine Made famous first in the 1960s-70s Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! cartoon series, the Mystery Machine is so mysterious that no one knows what make of van it is. Nonetheless, in the survey, this van was the most popular with 25- to 34-year-olds. Usually driven by lantern-jawed Fred – well, you wouldn't want a buffoon such as Shaggy behind the wheel – the Mystery Machine demonstrates remarkable versatility. Conveniently packed in the back are ladders, benches, tools, a table and chairs, even latterly computer equipment. There's room for that idiot dog, too. If only the average builder's van were as commodious, they wouldn't have to keep bunking off for hours 'to buy supplies'. The A-Team GMC Vandura Imagine if the ubiquitous Ford Transit had found a starring role in a popular crime-fighting series – other than being driven by villains in The Sweeney. The GMC Vandura did just that, transcending its roots as a General Motors utility van with a natty paint job and a starring role in The A-Team. With its cartoon violence, The A-Team was a massive hit in the 1980s. And its 1983 Vandura with black and red wheels and rooftop spoiler, was arguably as big a star as the show's principal characters, Hannibal, Face, 'Howling Mad' Murdock and BA Baracus. Rather like the Mystery Machine, the van also has a mysterious ability to carry a seemingly endless amount of kit. Postman Pat's van In case the kids watching forgot who the big red van with the Royal Mail logo on the side belonged to, Postman Pat's delivery vehicle was registered Pat 1. No expense was spared on production, either: its exhaust note was apparently that of a 1922 'Bullnose' Morris Cowley sourced from the BBC sound-effects library. The van's design is the figment of someone's fevered imagination. Postman Pat fans, who clearly have too much time on their hands, reckon it could be a shortened 1980s Freight Rover Sherpa mated with a 1970 Willam Fourgonnette from oddball Italian firm Lawil. Whatever, the resulting look is something only a mother – or cartoon postie – could love. Wallace and Gromit's Austin A35 A disappointing sixth in the list, bearing in mind that two ahead of it are completely made-up vehicles, is the Austin A35 van used by our intrepid heroes in the 2005 film Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. The little Austin, sold between 1956 and 1968, was almost identical in dimensions if not innovation to the Austin Seven-badged version of the original Mini. In Wallace and Gromit's world, the little A35 may look a bit tatty on the outside, but it has been given the full treatment by oddball inventor Wallace, having been retrofitted with an airbag. And although the diminutive Austin had a starter motor, Wallace clearly didn't trust it as he added a mechanical arm that pops out of the grille to operate the starting handle. Ford Econoline from Dumb and Dumber If you've got a job as a dog groomer, surely it's a given that you make your car look like a dog. Actually, it isn't unless your name is Harry Dunne and you're the Dumb (or is it the Dumber?) in the 1994 film Dumb and Dumber. Some might argue that Dunne did the Econoline a favour. A bland offering from Ford, the van was introduced in 1960 but the model that was turned into a hairy hound came along in 1984. Engines ranged from a 4.2-litre to a hairy 7.5 so it wasn't all bad. Unless it was covered in beige shag carpeting with a plastic nose and a lolling tongue.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Only Fools and Horses fans asked to pay up to £500 plus VAT to meet David Jason
Those who pay the fee will be banned from taking their own selfies, asking for autographs or even giving gifts to Sir David Only Fools and Horses fans are being asked to pay up to £550 to spend 'a moment' with Sir David Jason. The Del Boy star, 85, will pose for a picture as part of the deal at a two-day convention at a hotel in Milton Keynes this October. But unlike his wide-boy character, fans will be unable to avoid VAT, as the venue is cashless, and there will be no money back and no guarantee for ticket holders if they suddenly can't make it. Those who do turn up will be banned from taking their own selfies, asking for autographs or even giving gifts to Sir David. A disgruntled fan last night said: 'Lets just say, I wouldn't describe it as lovely jubbly.' Details of the money-spinner emerged after Sir David griped last year how he was "slightly upset" at being best known for playing Derek Trotter. The offer comes 12 months after the Mirror reported how organisers of last year's convention were charging at least £325 for tickets to meet the star. A cheaper bronze package for this year's event is available for £100-a-person, which will not include the chance to meet Sir David. Buyers will be able to watch an on stage talk with the star and director Tony Dow and are promised an 'opportunity to meet other star guest actors' from the show. But if they want to get their autographs, further charges will apply. A silver package is being sold at £350, which will allow fans the chance to get one 8x6 picture, described as 'FREE', with Sir David. The £450 gold package offers the same perks, plus 'Ltd Edt Convention Montage personally signed by Sir David Jason (before the Convention and given to you upon arrival at Registration)', 'central seating location in the ballroom' and being 'amongst the first tables called up to meet David Jason'. Those who buy the £550 platinum ticket are further promised 'VIP Seating – front row table with unobstructed view!' and '1 x FREE ticket to the Saturday Night Karaoke (includes evening meal)'. Fans that do get to meet Sir David will do so in a mock-up of Del Boy's flat inside Mandela House. The website says: 'Eligible ticket holders will finally have their 'Moment with Sir David Jason', posing for a photograph in the Trotter Flat, as well as all attendees having the chance to meet the other guest actors and add their autograph to your collection! 'We kindly request no gifts are to be given to Sir David Jason as this will take up all of the allocated time for your photo. 'Due to time constraints, Sir David will not be signing any items across the Convention weekend. We kindly ask you do not bring anything to attempt Sir David to sign as it will not be permitted. We will have staff on call to ensure this in fairness to everyone.' 'There will be NO 'Selfies' at the event with Sir David Jason. Selfies are left to the discretion of the other guest actors, although most are very happy to pose for a photograph if asked politely. 'We do not charge for a 'selfie'! Crew Members will be sat with each actor and happy to assist with the taking of your photo. If your ticket(s) do not include a signed photo / mount, ticket holders are able to purchase a signed Convention Photo / Mount subject to availability across the weekend. "There are no in person autograph opportunities across the weekend with Sir David Jason. The convention's website adds: 'We are delighted to return with the Karaoke on the Saturday Night. It will commence around 7pm and finish by 12pm (midnight). 'Purchasing a Karaoke ticket includes entry to the karaoke and an evening meal (hot buffet selection chosen by the venue). You must ensure that you are attending the Convention on either day to be able to attend the Karaoke. 'NO SELFIES / AUTOGRAPHS will be signed by any actors who attend the Karaoke – please allow them to enjoy their evening. Other guest actors in attendance WILL be signing any items of your choice including Props and Van Doors.'
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Damien Duff's attack on League of Ireland mid-season break is outlier – but clubs not in Europe may have schedule gripes
WE knew Damien Duff was an Only Fools and Horses fan, so him calling the summer break a 'Jolly Boys' outing' should be no surprise. His Only Fools confession originally came last year when the Shelbourne boss cheer up players. Advertisement And it was hardly off-the-cuff as it transpired the famous scene when Del Boy fell through the bar was edited with Paddy Barrett's head superimposed on to actor Not that the Shels chief was laughing last week as he bemoaned the League of Ireland's summer holidays . In his team news bulletin the former And after the final game of the first half of the season, he Advertisement Read More on Shelbourne He then said: 'There's an air of the Jolly Boys' Outing. They are meeting at the pub in the terminal. It's a week on the gargle. That's not the football education I had in England .' For younger readers, 'The Jolly Boys' Outing' was the 1989 Only Fools Duff, it must be said, also acknowledged this break was coming at a good time for his team as the Shelbourne truck was rolling about as smoothly as Del Boy's three-wheel van. And it is not like those players, who more likely headed for alcohol , at least not during the season. Advertisement Most read in Football All travelled with fitness programmes, with many even given trackers to make sure the work is done. And that was from managers who were glad of the break — because what made Duff's comments so headline-worthy, besides his profile and quotability, was that he is publicly an outlier. Damien Duff mercilessly trolled by rival fans over bizarre attempt to go incognito while serving ban Before he had spoken, Bohemians boss Alan Reynolds had said he felt the stoppage was good for his in-form team who had been living in each other's pockets for six months. winter . Advertisement And no manager has a choice — it is written in the rules that players are entitled to five consecutive days off during a mid-season break. Every year, those rules are reviewed and sources indicate that abolishing the break has never been discussed. The players have regularly voted in its favour, with the last If that has changed it will be known soon. On Monday, the PFAI are sending out another survey along with voting forms. But it is expected to remain popular with people who were glad of a release after an intense campaign to date saw teams play at least 18 games in 15 weeks. Advertisement That is where there could be gripes from clubs not in The reason for the heavy first-half run is to aid those in Europe, with Shels having at least 22 matches to come. Win their So while Duff does not like the summer break, the Only Fools fan must focus on July and the potential for his club to make history and considerable 'readies'. Advertisement To paraphrase Del Boy, 'This time next year Duffer, yiz could be millionaires'. 1 Damien Duff spoke out against the League of Ireland mid-season break Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
'What Nigel Farage can teach Keir Starmer about politics'
Winter fuel payments. National insurance increases. Cutting the benefits of the disabled. All of them hard to sell at the best of times, but currently being sold to the voter with the same élan as Del Boy trying to offload alarm clocks that run backwards. Throw into the mix some u-turns that should have involved screeching brakes and smoking tyres, but have instead become a gentle and deadly drift towards the central reservation, and you have a toxic metaphor cocktail that won't so much knock anyone's socks off as gradually remove your shoes, your wallet, and your will to live. Meanwhile a party so minor it has 14 times FEWER MPs than the Liberal Democrats is romping all over the opinion polls, grabbing all the airwaves, and highlighting all the problems. It's stealing policies from Left and Right, appealing across the social spectrum and even making Liz Truss reach for her calculator. The only thing Keir Starmer seems to be worried about is Nigel Farage's lead in the polls, but his decision to tackle the Reform leader head-on has only made the PM look weak and puffed up his opponent's importance. As usual, Keir's doing it wrong. There is an awful lot to learn from Nigel, if you just have a rummage. 1. Nigel is true to his brand. He doesn't deviate. He doesn't try to appeal to those who are opposed to him. He just doubles down, does what annoys them harder. It helps that his schtick is being a disruptive posh oik in yellow trousers, a role any idiot can play with insane ease and the right wardrobe. Plus, Britain likes an underdog - an annoying terrier on the ankles of power, a peasant's revolt, a flick at the nose of greatness. Lovely stuff, off you go Nigel and give 'em one from me. 2. Nigel rules or walks. Through sheer force of personality he's set up three political parties, and walked out of two of them when his power waned. If he ever gets to lead a Parliamentary group bigger than what can be handled by one end of the saloon bar, he'll have so many factions, rivalries and headaches he'll change his pub again. Until then, he's centre of attention, and the centre of power. Were he ever to be PM, a chief of staff would have to kowtow or hit the road. 3. Nigel has simple targets that don't cost him anything. Leave the European Union. Brexit or bust. Cut immigration and cut taxes, even if they were both high because of Brexit. Cut the green crap, even if it's the best way to capitalise on the technological revolution so many of Nigel's supporters resent. Nigel's not the first person on earth who's been able to sell stagnation and self-harm as 'reform', but imagine what he could achieve, if only he obeyed the dictionary. 4. Nigel ignores everything. Warnings. Maths.. History. Logic and facts are of as much relevance to the British Sideshow Bob as Fermat's last theorem has to a duck. If you don't let anything stop you, then eventually every obstacle disappears, through boredom or erosion or distraction. That this man and the voter are apparently in sync has nothing to do with his everyman charm, because he doesn't have any. He's succeeding only because everybody else is flailing, and even the cat has noticed. The problem for Keir is that he doesn't have a personal brand, and he's dropped the Labour one. He deviates, not to disrupt but to appease. There he is, Billy Big Majority, but he's governing like Theresa May being racked by a hung Parliament. So he's announced an expansion of free school meals, a great win for a fantastic Mirror campaign that would have delighted his party if only he'd done it last July. And he could have, as it's not being paid for by a single penny of fiscal headroom because there isn't any. Instead, it was rushed out, 10 months into a haphazard premiership, to block questions over the winter fuel u-meander, and in so doing absolutely kiboshed the headlines for a £15bn transport investment Rachel Reeves had announced not 5 minutes earlier. Two bits of good news have cancelled each other out, and the drumbeat of inevitable tax rises in the autumn to pay for it all has got louder. A win has become a political cost, with his party in despair and the voter barely aware of anything beyond the fact the PM screwed up taking away winter fuel payments and now is screwing up handing them back again. All he had to do was say the richer pensioners must pay for free school meals, and every granny in the country would have had to suck a sweet and put up with it. Keir is paying attention to everything, so decision-making slows from a crawl to a death-spiral. The one thing Keir ignores is the voter - that shallow coalition of Labour values and middle-class, urban graduates who both loathed the Tories. When the Labour manifesto held nothing of note, everyone assumed there was a grand plan too radical to reveal in full - in truth, the plan was just to not be the Tories. Even that failed, because for the past 300 or so days every Labour minister and spad has not even bothered to butt heads with the Whitehall machine. Computer said no, and politics withered on the spot. It's not small boats making Nigel stronger: it's because voting for the other guy made not a jot of difference. The solution to this is easy. Either Nigel should take over the Labour Party, or Keir has to start acting more like Nigel. For what do we think Nigel would do, if only he had Labour values at heart rather than his own? He'd lead not ask, smash the machine not file a complaint, ghost the politics reporters and go on the edgy podcasts, line up all the cuts first and then bang out the good news and wins, over and over, because someone who SOUNDS like a success IS a success. He couldn't do the same for Reform. He grifts rather than works, applies himself only to what pleases, and will ultimately always implode, either through incompetence, insanity, or in a huff. The biggest lesson Starmer can take from Farage is that he, too, has no real policies. Both Reform and its leader are empty vessels, but voters still feel it's Labour that is hollow. They committed to nothing to get elected, and now are so non-committal that it's like watching fog thicken. Who'd vote for gruel, when there's red meat on offer? Those empty entrails will choke Starmer's premiership as surely as they will one day envelop Farage. Starmer has to learn, fast, how to bottle Eau de Nigel and leave him spluttering in his wake.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
David Jason reveals surprising inspiration behind Del Boy's cockney accent in Only Fools And Horses
Sir David Jason has revealed the surprising inspiration behind Del Boy's iconic cockney accent in Only Fools And Horses. The actor, 85, said he landed the part of Del Boy because he would mimic his former boss' cockney accent while they both played Billiards Games. While he was playing Granville in the BBC sitcom Open All Hours, he and the show's assistant Ray Butt would spend their time away from filming playing billiards together. Jason said he found Ray's east end accent so funny that he would imitate it during their games. And when Only Fools And Horses director John Sullivan was struggling to find someone to play Derek Trotter, he was told of Jason's hilarious cockney impressions and invited him to try out the iconic part. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Speaking on Gyles Brandreth's Rosebud podcast, Jason said: 'When we were doing Open All Hours I used to play billiards with Ray Butt, who was the First Assistant. 'I used to take the mickey out of Ray Butt because he was a really "Right EastEnder", which always fascinated me because I thought, "How could he become a director because his accent was always like 'you know what I mean?'" 'He spoke like that all the time. It intrigued me. I used to take the mickey out of it.' Ray had gone on to become a producer/director for Only Fools And Horses which was being put together and cast when he confided in the director of Open All Hours that he was struggling for his main Del Boy character. Jason continued: 'When he was casting for Derek Trotter, the director of Open All Hours said to him "What are you looking for?" 'He said "I'm looking for this character who's a Londoner - an east London sort of character we're having a bit of a problem finding". 'He said "Well have you interviewed David Jason? Don't you remember he used to take the mickey out of you?"' Jason said the Open All Hours director reminded Butt how David's impressions of him were 'so successful we all used to fall about because you two were like Mutt and Jeff'. Jason said: 'And Ray Butt went "Oh yes, you're right, I hadn't thought of that, I'll ask him to come in and read with me and John Sullivan", which he did. And the rest is history.' Jason played Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter over seven series and ten years as Only Fools became one of the most loved comedies in British TV history. It comes after the opening night of the Only Fools And Horses: The Musical was forced to a halt last month after a 'medical emergency'. Theatergoers at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool were evacuated during the interval and the second act of the show was postponed after a member of the audience fell ill, with paramedics called to the scene. Only Fools And Horses: The Musical, featuring Paul Whitehouse as Grandad, is currently touring the UK following a four-year sold-out run-in London's West End. The Winter Gardens issued a statement about the incident as they revealed all those affected would be able to transfer their tickets to another night or request a refund. Attendees were quick to praise the theatre - which hosted the musical until May 3 - for the staff's quick reaction and calm response to the incident. A statement from The Winter Gardens read: 'During last night's performance of Only Fools and Horses The Musical, a medical emergency involving a member of the audience occurred during the interval in the front stalls area of the auditorium. It comes just days after the opening night of the Only Fools And Horses: The Musical was forced to a halt at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool last month after a 'medical emergency' 'Due to the nature of the incident and in accordance with venue protocols, the decision was taken to evacuate the theatre and postpone the remainder of the show. 'All affected ticket holders will receive an email today with full details on how to transfer their tickets to another performance this week, or how to request a refund if they are unable to attend an alternative date. 'We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our staff, the visiting company, and the emergency services for their swift and professional response. 'Our thoughts and well wishes are with the individual involved and their family at this time. 'We thank everyone for their patience and understanding during these exceptional circumstances.'
