Only Fools and Horses - The Official Inside Story

by Steve Clark, Theo Paphitis

Only Fools and Horses - The Official Inside Storytakes us behind the scenes to reveal the secrets of the hit show and is fully authorised by the family of John Sullivan, the show's creator and writer. The book is based on dozens of one-to-one interviews conducted by author Steve Clark with the show's stars including Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst and key members of the production team.

Genres: Nonfiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2011

About the author

Dad, journalist & media consultant. Sunday Times bestselling author. Books include Only Fools & Horses: The Official Inside Story.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Red Heaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has some good behind the scene stories, but there is also quite a bit of padding.

[Jim affleck · Rating 4 out of 5]

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😂

[Brian Hatwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for an only fools and horses fan

[Ben Philcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite TV shows- the story brought to life!

[Andrew Garvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.