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Only Fools and Horses: The Official Inside Story
Twenty-five million viewers watched the swansong of "Only Fools and Horse"s on BBC1 over Christmas 1996, breaking the BBC's previous audience records. This work is an affectionate tribute to the much-loved show, covering all aspects of its amazing 16-year run, from casting to filming, with in-depth interviews with the stars and a complete episode guide. As well as back-stage facts and anecdotes, this book captures the spirit of survival in the face of adversity and inimitable humour which characterized the series and marked it out as a comedy classic.
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2011
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69 people want to read
About the author
Steve Clark
174 books5 followersDad, journalist & media consultant. Sunday Times bestselling author. Books include Only Fools & Horses: The Official Inside Story.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 8, 2019
I have watched and laughed through every episode of 'Only Fools and Horses' so thought this would be an entertaining read. Much of the information in the book is already common knowledge but it was still nice to recap but other parts were repetitive and tedious. It lists the casts previous work and every episode title etc all of which are free to look up anytime on internet sites.
John Sullivan and many of the cast were very talented and there were certainly a lot of trivia facts for any admirer but I felt generally that the book is thrown together from old interviews and articles amassed off the internet.
Great show but not such a good book.
John Sullivan and many of the cast were very talented and there were certainly a lot of trivia facts for any admirer but I felt generally that the book is thrown together from old interviews and articles amassed off the internet.
Great show but not such a good book.
July 10, 2021
The book has some good behind the scene stories, but there is also quite a bit of padding.
May 12, 2019
Such a good, refreshing read. Gives a brilliant insight into every behind the scenes making of a classic comedy phenomenon. From original ideas to every production therein lies the bones of an honest to God , life, born story. I once heard that a true comedian has the ability to make their audience laugh and cry, all within the space of one short heartbeat. Such will always be the magical gift that everyone involved in the Only Fools leaves on lifes table called happiness. Jim😂
August 20, 2019
Brilliant read must have read for all Trotter fans. Real credit to the late John Sullivan, makes you realise what an amazing script writer he was.
August 10, 2023
A wonderful trip down Memory Lane. You know you're dealing with a great comedy when just references to certain scenes make you chuckle. There's lots of background and behind-the-scenes info about John Sullivan (RIP), David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Lennard Pearce and Buster Merryfield.
It's also fascinating from a writer's point of view about Sullivan's inspirations and how he conceived and executed his ideas. Plus photos from the sets.
I'm knocking off a star because the book was not well edited -- a good few grammatical errors and typos made it through, and they diminished my enjoyment of the book. Maybe there's someone flogging a few commas on Hooky Street.
It's also fascinating from a writer's point of view about Sullivan's inspirations and how he conceived and executed his ideas. Plus photos from the sets.
I'm knocking off a star because the book was not well edited -- a good few grammatical errors and typos made it through, and they diminished my enjoyment of the book. Maybe there's someone flogging a few commas on Hooky Street.
February 10, 2023
Great book for an only fools and horses fan
April 7, 2025
One of my favourite TV shows- the story brought to life!
February 23, 2017
Stuffed with trivia, this admiring, happy, feel-good look at one of the greatest sitcoms ever made (even if it badly outstayed its welcome and its spinoffs were cack) is a really fun read.
True, there's a heavy over-reliance on interviews given to the Radio Times in the mid-1980s, but it gives enough insight into the development of the show, and (lionised) writer/creator John Sullivan's unique gift for comedic pathos and creating memorable characters, to be as entertaining as it is informative.
Detailing the behind-the-scenes issues, the BBC-ITV rivalry, the problems of working with the Teamsters in Florida, the almost accidental career of Buster Merryfield and the real-life inspirations behind iconic scenes like Del Boy falling through the bar and the chandelier smashing to pieces, this is a welcome, loving tribute to one of the more significant TV shows of my childhood.
Cushty.
True, there's a heavy over-reliance on interviews given to the Radio Times in the mid-1980s, but it gives enough insight into the development of the show, and (lionised) writer/creator John Sullivan's unique gift for comedic pathos and creating memorable characters, to be as entertaining as it is informative.
Detailing the behind-the-scenes issues, the BBC-ITV rivalry, the problems of working with the Teamsters in Florida, the almost accidental career of Buster Merryfield and the real-life inspirations behind iconic scenes like Del Boy falling through the bar and the chandelier smashing to pieces, this is a welcome, loving tribute to one of the more significant TV shows of my childhood.
Cushty.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews