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The Twelve Dels of Christmas: My Festive Tales From Life and Only Fools
Brought to you by Penguin.
'It is at Christmas time that want is most keenly felt, and abundance rejoices.'
Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol' 1843
'Yeah, and a partridge up your pear tree, an' all.'
Derek Trotter, 'Christmas Crackers', 1981
'Think of this memoir as a Christmas special in book form, from someone who has been involved in a few of those and understands a bit about the concept. But a Christmas special very much like Only Fools and Horses, in the sense that the stories will be always heading outwards, ranging far and wide and well beyond the traditional festive gags involving giblets left in turkeys.
As I sift through various festive-related episodes in my career, loosening the ribbons, parting the wrapping paper, I'll be doing my best to reach any relevant conclusions about life, work and the meaning of it all that I can usefully pass on to you - baubles of wisdom if you like. Or certainly baubles. You'll learn why I have the perfect face to play Scrooge. And if you're lucky I'll also share what it's like to fly in a helicopter with my old mucker Tom Cruise. Merry Christmas, you plonkers.'
© David Jason 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022
'It is at Christmas time that want is most keenly felt, and abundance rejoices.'
Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol' 1843
'Yeah, and a partridge up your pear tree, an' all.'
Derek Trotter, 'Christmas Crackers', 1981
'Think of this memoir as a Christmas special in book form, from someone who has been involved in a few of those and understands a bit about the concept. But a Christmas special very much like Only Fools and Horses, in the sense that the stories will be always heading outwards, ranging far and wide and well beyond the traditional festive gags involving giblets left in turkeys.
As I sift through various festive-related episodes in my career, loosening the ribbons, parting the wrapping paper, I'll be doing my best to reach any relevant conclusions about life, work and the meaning of it all that I can usefully pass on to you - baubles of wisdom if you like. Or certainly baubles. You'll learn why I have the perfect face to play Scrooge. And if you're lucky I'll also share what it's like to fly in a helicopter with my old mucker Tom Cruise. Merry Christmas, you plonkers.'
© David Jason 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022
Audiobook
Published January 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 29, 2022
This was like a lovely chat with your cheesy grandad, so nostalgic for me hearing David jason talk about one of the greatest comedy sitcoms of all time
January 30, 2023
It's like when your grandad tells you stories of Christmas past.
A great little life story by the man himself although there were a few bits that didn't quite grab me. Overall though, a nice jolly read!
A great little life story by the man himself although there were a few bits that didn't quite grab me. Overall though, a nice jolly read!
December 31, 2023
I've just finished my final book of the year in time.
This is David Jason's fourth volume of memoirs and it unashamedly appeals to the Christmas market by it's very title. Is another volume strictly needed? Well, probably not and there is a fair amount of material reused from previous volumes. However, Jason is so eminently readable and amusing that I must confess I'll always enjoy his reads.
Once upon a time Only Fools and Horses the sitcom that brought Jason his fame was synonymous with Christmas. The Christmas specials were highlights of the Christmas TV schedules and they still stand up these days, the combination of John Sullivans excellent scripts and what became an ensemble cast headed up by David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst were unbeatable. Jason uses these and his other Christmas TV appearances (such as Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds Of May) as the basis of his book. Sharing his memories and anecdotes from the making of these episodes. But his reminisces aren't limited to Christmas despite the title.
As he's mentioned before he's often struggled with how people associate him with the character of Derek Trotter and while he owes a great deal of thanks to the character some people expect Jason to be 'Del Boy' when they meet him. However despite his fear of typecasting he has shown himself to have a broader range that that one character, he is much more versatile as an actor.
Despite four volumes memoirs he is a private person and I suspect that we don't really get to see the real David Jason. His writings are friendly, humorous and engaging but I think he holds back from showing the real David Jason.
However I really enjoyed the book. It's an easy read and he talks like an old friend. I give the book 3 stars as material is reused and OK we don't strictly need another volume. However I enjoyed it beyond the stars I've given it and I'm sure any fan of Jason will enjoy the book. An entertaining and engaging read by a much loved actor and to use the cliché 'National Treasure.' And should David Jason release another volume of memoirs I'm sure I'd still read that as well. "You know it makes sense!"
This is David Jason's fourth volume of memoirs and it unashamedly appeals to the Christmas market by it's very title. Is another volume strictly needed? Well, probably not and there is a fair amount of material reused from previous volumes. However, Jason is so eminently readable and amusing that I must confess I'll always enjoy his reads.
Once upon a time Only Fools and Horses the sitcom that brought Jason his fame was synonymous with Christmas. The Christmas specials were highlights of the Christmas TV schedules and they still stand up these days, the combination of John Sullivans excellent scripts and what became an ensemble cast headed up by David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst were unbeatable. Jason uses these and his other Christmas TV appearances (such as Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds Of May) as the basis of his book. Sharing his memories and anecdotes from the making of these episodes. But his reminisces aren't limited to Christmas despite the title.
As he's mentioned before he's often struggled with how people associate him with the character of Derek Trotter and while he owes a great deal of thanks to the character some people expect Jason to be 'Del Boy' when they meet him. However despite his fear of typecasting he has shown himself to have a broader range that that one character, he is much more versatile as an actor.
Despite four volumes memoirs he is a private person and I suspect that we don't really get to see the real David Jason. His writings are friendly, humorous and engaging but I think he holds back from showing the real David Jason.
However I really enjoyed the book. It's an easy read and he talks like an old friend. I give the book 3 stars as material is reused and OK we don't strictly need another volume. However I enjoyed it beyond the stars I've given it and I'm sure any fan of Jason will enjoy the book. An entertaining and engaging read by a much loved actor and to use the cliché 'National Treasure.' And should David Jason release another volume of memoirs I'm sure I'd still read that as well. "You know it makes sense!"
January 3, 2023
I love reading David Jason books and this is no exception. Rather than a book just full of random stories this one contains 12 experiences that Sir David Jason has had that link him to Christmas. From his first pantomime experience to Christmas specials of Only fools. Its well told and very informative. I particularly like a section where he thanks all those that have supported Only fools over the years and even mentions the Conventions he has attended and how humble he felt. The stories are well explained and will make you chuckle as you progress through the book. A good read and recommended to all Sir David fans.
January 1, 2023
I love Sir David Jason and I absorb every book he writes, wet myself laughing that much he's just amazing, I wouldn't have it any other way.
November 26, 2025
love David Jason his a bit of a national treasure 🩵
January 12, 2023
For any fan of Sir David Jason or Only Fools and Horses, this is the perfect read. Rather than a memoir full of random stories, this one is a collection of stories that specifically link Sir David to Christmas. From the sad moments when he is speaking of those fellow cast members who are no longer with us, to laugh out loud anecdotes, I throughly enjoyed this book.
February 26, 2023
David Jason returns for his latest edition of his memoirs, under the title of “The Twelve Dels of Christmas”.
Billed as a book that documents festive tales from his various accomplishments throughout the years, including (of course) Only Fools and Horses.
The novel itself is a good read, easy going, funny and manageable in terms of chapters etc.
However, the biggest struggle for me was that it felt that it was just a re-hash of prior books. I can’t say that it was particularly “festive”, with lots of the authors stories happening outside of Christmas.
Poor marketing perhaps?
Not only that, but the book could have lost about 100 pages if it wasn’t for Sir Jason’s tangents - self indulgence considering it’s his book, but frustrating at times!
Either way, if you are a fan of the great man’s work, give it a go. If you are, perhaps, a casual follower, I’m not sure you’d be missing too much.
Three out of five.
Billed as a book that documents festive tales from his various accomplishments throughout the years, including (of course) Only Fools and Horses.
The novel itself is a good read, easy going, funny and manageable in terms of chapters etc.
However, the biggest struggle for me was that it felt that it was just a re-hash of prior books. I can’t say that it was particularly “festive”, with lots of the authors stories happening outside of Christmas.
Poor marketing perhaps?
Not only that, but the book could have lost about 100 pages if it wasn’t for Sir Jason’s tangents - self indulgence considering it’s his book, but frustrating at times!
Either way, if you are a fan of the great man’s work, give it a go. If you are, perhaps, a casual follower, I’m not sure you’d be missing too much.
Three out of five.
November 27, 2022
2.5/5 for this latest bit of old rope from David Jason.
I’ve read all four of Jason’s books but really think that this will be my last. I found it to be filled with rehashed stories, some not even relevant to Christmas, and most leaving me willing him to stop with the digressions and get on with the telling.
As much as I love and am interested in Only Fools and Horses (which, incorrectly and with misguided virtue, DJ states had ‘no bad language in it’) I wish he had given more time to other shows - like The Darling Buds of May, Open All Hours, and Frost - rather than squeezing them all into the last few pages. It was perhaps a wise choice not to mention the ill-advised Christmas launch of The Royal Bodyguard, however.
I’ve read all four of Jason’s books but really think that this will be my last. I found it to be filled with rehashed stories, some not even relevant to Christmas, and most leaving me willing him to stop with the digressions and get on with the telling.
As much as I love and am interested in Only Fools and Horses (which, incorrectly and with misguided virtue, DJ states had ‘no bad language in it’) I wish he had given more time to other shows - like The Darling Buds of May, Open All Hours, and Frost - rather than squeezing them all into the last few pages. It was perhaps a wise choice not to mention the ill-advised Christmas launch of The Royal Bodyguard, however.
May 27, 2024
David Jason’s fourth volume of memoirs suffers a bit from being his fourth volume of memoirs. I can only assume the earlier books cover more significant times of his life - he would be amused if I called them “urgent” - allowing this one to go along at its own pace, working to a loose Christmas theme. (Specifically, A Christmas Carol.)
In other words, this account tends to ramble, pausing career highs and lows for thoughts on grapefruits and mobile phones and (understandably) the impact of Covid. I learned a few bits, such as the reason for his stage name and the Dad’s Army role he came close to getting, but I had the impression he’d already covered these in other books.
He makes for a genial narrator and has a general level of amused absurdity - not so much dad jokes as grandad jokes. There’s nothing objectionable about it as a book, but it is *very* inessential fluff.
In other words, this account tends to ramble, pausing career highs and lows for thoughts on grapefruits and mobile phones and (understandably) the impact of Covid. I learned a few bits, such as the reason for his stage name and the Dad’s Army role he came close to getting, but I had the impression he’d already covered these in other books.
He makes for a genial narrator and has a general level of amused absurdity - not so much dad jokes as grandad jokes. There’s nothing objectionable about it as a book, but it is *very* inessential fluff.
December 9, 2022
I love David Jason for Only Fools and also Touch of Frost! I haven't really followed him with anything else but I know he's a proper gent and this comes out in this book! It was interesting to read about how he began he career in theatres as I didn't know this.
I really liked the way he set the book out, along with a Spirit of Christmas each chapter being a Del of Christmas, and a memory from his career over the years. Heavily featuring Only Fools and Horses and many other surprising meetings along the way! I thought it was a great read, I really enjoyed it and any fans of Only Fools I am sure will love this book.
Somewhat of a National Treasure, although he doesn't think so himself but I definitely agree with the late Queen on that one.....
I really liked the way he set the book out, along with a Spirit of Christmas each chapter being a Del of Christmas, and a memory from his career over the years. Heavily featuring Only Fools and Horses and many other surprising meetings along the way! I thought it was a great read, I really enjoyed it and any fans of Only Fools I am sure will love this book.
Somewhat of a National Treasure, although he doesn't think so himself but I definitely agree with the late Queen on that one.....
December 24, 2023
David Jason shares another heartwarming series of memoirs this time focussed around the festive season. Unlike a lot of autobiographies that feel artificial and occasionally cynical, Jason's worth and charm shine through in every page.
Though it covers Dickens, panto, and of course, Only Fools, the Christmas framing is stretched at points- Jason's encounters with Tom Cruise, and the Queen's Jubilee don't conjure up images of sleigh bells and festive cheer. Nonetheless these anecdotes are still joyful and fascinating.
Fans of Jason will love this. For everyone else, hearing a successful actor talk in depth about their history and craft is a perfect reason for reading.
Though it covers Dickens, panto, and of course, Only Fools, the Christmas framing is stretched at points- Jason's encounters with Tom Cruise, and the Queen's Jubilee don't conjure up images of sleigh bells and festive cheer. Nonetheless these anecdotes are still joyful and fascinating.
Fans of Jason will love this. For everyone else, hearing a successful actor talk in depth about their history and craft is a perfect reason for reading.
November 28, 2022
There was not an option for the audio book on GoodReads, but I did buy it on Audible.com and just finished listening to that version. I have read 3 other autobiographical books by Sir David White (aka David Jason) and have loved them all. This is no exception. The best part of this tome is that David Jason performed it entirely himself -- which was a treat (other than the books' forward, some of his others were read by a performer -- great job, but no David Jason!). His delight at retelling (reading aloud) his own book with his inflections, accent, and humor made it a joy to listen to.
July 6, 2023
I have enjoyed David's books so much and love him as an actor. His first book was fantastic. It made me laugh out loud, made me sad, and inspired me to risk, as he did. This book is a total waste of paper. I could not believe how boring it was. It was a rehash of information from his other books and had little to do with either Christmas, Dels, or the number twelve. When I start skimming a book, that's it for me.
December 20, 2022
A nice book, especially for Only Fools fans, but I agree with other reviewers, it's just full of digressions and parts which delay the story. It's almost like David is just trying to fill the pages with this one. Best parts were him talking about The Jolly Boys Outing and John Chalis though. Still worth a read!
January 21, 2023
The second David Jason booked I’ve read; although similar in many aspects to ‘Del of a Life’ (the first book I’d read), there is enough content to make this book a thoroughly enjoyable and fun read. The book is easy to read with many anecdotes that will make you laugh out load, a highly recommended book.
July 23, 2023
I’m afraid I haven’t enjoyed this book as much as I thought I would, in fact I only got a quarter of the way through. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching David in the later series of Only Fools but for me the book just isn’t as enjoyable as I thought it would be. Am not trying to put people off reading it but it’s just not grabbing my attention as much as I thought it would do
December 29, 2022
I got given this book for Christmas as I’m a only fools and horses fan.
I wasn’t disappointed at all and I throughly enjoyed it.
It was a easy relaxing read and it felt like I was listening to an old friend.
I will have to order his other book A Del of a life (I’ve heard A Del of a life is better)
I wasn’t disappointed at all and I throughly enjoyed it.
It was a easy relaxing read and it felt like I was listening to an old friend.
I will have to order his other book A Del of a life (I’ve heard A Del of a life is better)
January 3, 2023
Lovely easy read, as an Only Fools fan myself I enjoyed hearing all about it from Del Boy himself.
Lots of about how David Jason started off and how Christmas seemed to be a time when openings of work came his way. Like listening to a grandad tell stories of how things were back then. Great read.
Lots of about how David Jason started off and how Christmas seemed to be a time when openings of work came his way. Like listening to a grandad tell stories of how things were back then. Great read.
October 24, 2022
He's done it again! Brilliant book by a national treasure a must buy Xmas present for any only fools fans!
December 15, 2022
this is a great read if you are a fan of both only fools and horses and david jason.
January 10, 2023
Loved it
January 23, 2023
Old David gets a wee bit rambly at various points in the book...still a witty guy though!
March 14, 2023
Fabulous read as always! Love David Jason and all he does 😊
March 25, 2023
Another brilliant book.
August 31, 2023
Like all of David Jason's autobiographies this is a simple and quite comforting read, basically vignettes about different periods of his acting and personal life, this time themed around Christmas.
November 16, 2023
Sir David Jason certainly knows how to keep the reader engaged. His takes from the only fools years are both insightful and amusing. I've read a number of his books and they don't disappoint.
December 24, 2023
Works better as an audio book
June 24, 2024
Brilliant
September 24, 2024
A pleasant read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews