List of Only Fools and Horses episodes
The following is an episode list for the BBC television situation comedy Only Fools and Horses. The show was first broadcast in the UK on BBC One on 8 September, 1981.[1] It ran for seven series (1981–83, 1985–86, 1989, 1990/91) and nineteen Christmas specials (1981–83, 1985–93, 1996, 2001–03)[2][3] until 25 December 2003, when the final episode was broadcast.[4] In total, 64 regular episodes of Only Fools and Horses, all written by John Sullivan, were produced. All are now available on both Region 2 and Region 1 DVD.
Additionally, six special editions of the show were made. Of these, two ("Licensed to Drill" and "The Robin Flies at Dawn") have never been broadcast commercially[5][6] and some have only recently been rediscovered.[5][7][6] The above six episodes are very rare and have never been released on DVD.
The list is ordered by the episodes' original air dates.
Summary
| Series | Episodes | Originally aired | DVD Release | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Cover Art | |||||
| 1 | 6 | 1981 | 7 October 2003 | 20 November, 2000 | |||
| 2 | 7 | 1982 | 7 October 2003 | 2 April, 2001 | |||
| 3 | 7 | 1983 | 7 October 2003 | 4 June, 2001 | |||
| 4 | 7 | 1985 | 12 October 2004 | 1 October, 2001 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 1986 | 12 October 2004 | 30 September, 2002 | |||
| 6 | 6 | 1989 | 11 October 2005 | 22 September, 2003 | |||
| 7 | 6 | 1990—1991 | 10 October 2006 | 6 September, 2004 | |||
Series One (1981)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Big Brother" | Ray Butt | Martin Shardlow | 8 September 1981 | 9.2 million | 30 minutes |
|
Despite joining Trotters Independent Traders, Rodney wants his independence so he leaves home. | ||||||
| 02 | "Go West Young Man" | Ray Butt | Martin Shardlow | 15 September 1981 | 6.1 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del sells a car with no brakes to an Australian | ||||||
| 03 | "Cash and Curry" | Ray Butt | Martin Shardlow | 22 September 1981 | 7.3 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del tries to seek profit from a dispute over an ornament | ||||||
| 04 | "The Second Time Around" | Ray Butt | Martin Shardlow | 29 September 1981 | 7.8 million | 30 minutes |
|
An old fiancee of Del's returns | ||||||
| 05 | "A Slow Bus To Chingford" | Ray Butt | Martin Shardlow | 6 October 1981 | 7 million | 30 minutes |
|
The brothers set up "Trotters' Ethnic Tours" | ||||||
| 06 | "The Russians Are Coming" | Ray Butt | Martin Shardlow | 13 October 1981 | 8.8 million | 30 minutes |
|
Anticipating World War III, the Trotters build a nuclear fallout shelter | ||||||
Christmas Special (1981)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 | "Christmas Crackers" | Bernard Thompson | Bernard Thompson | 28 December 1981 | 7.5 million | 35 minutes |
|
Del and Rodney attempt to meet some girls | ||||||
Series Two (1982)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 | "The Long Legs of the Law" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 21 October 1982 | 7.7 million | 30 minutes |
|
Rodney dates a policewoman | ||||||
| 09 | "Ashes to Ashes" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 28 October 1982 | 9.8 million | 30 minutes |
|
The Trotters try to dispose of Trigger's grandad's ashes | ||||||
| 10 | "A Losing Streak" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 4 November 1982 | 7.5 million | 30 minutes |
| 11 | "No Greater Love" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 11 November 1982 | 8.6 million | 30 minutes |
|
Rodney dates an older woman | ||||||
| 12 | "The Yellow Peril" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 18 November 1982 | 8.2 million | 30 minutes |
|
The Trotters decorate a Chinese restaurant with luminous paint | ||||||
| 13 | "It Never Rains..." | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 25 November 1982 | 9.5 million | 30 minutes |
|
The Trotters go on holiday to Benidorm | ||||||
| 14 | "A Touch of Glass" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 2 December 1982 | 10.2 million | 30 minutes |
|
The Trotters attempt to clean a priceless chandelier | ||||||
Christmas Special (1982)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | "Diamonds Are for Heather" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 30 December 1982 | 9.3 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del dates a woman with a son | ||||||
Series Three (1983)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | "Homesick" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 10 November 1983 | 9.4 million | 30 minutes |
|
Grandad is bedridden | ||||||
| 17 | "Healthy Competition" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 17 November 1983 | 9.7 million | 30 minutes |
|
Rodney goes into business with Mickey Pearce | ||||||
| 18 | "Friday the 14th" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 24 November 1983 | 9.7 million | 30 minutes |
|
Whilst on a fishing trip in Cornwall, the Trotters encounter an escaped axe murderer | ||||||
| 19 | "Yesterday Never Comes" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 1 December 1983 | 10.6 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del dates a posh antiques dealer | ||||||
| 20 | "May The Force Be With You" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 8 December 1983 | 10.7 million | 30 minutes |
|
DCI Roy Slater returns and arrests the Trotters for stealing a microwave | ||||||
| 21 | "Wanted" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 15 December 1983 | 11.2 million | 30 minutes |
|
Rodney is accused of rape and dubbed the "Peckham Pouncer", forcing him to go on the run | ||||||
| 22 | "Who's a Pretty Boy?" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 22 December 1983 | 11.9 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del agrees to decorate Denzil's flat | ||||||
Christmas Special (1983)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | "Thicker than Water" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 25 December 1983 | 10.8 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del and Rodney's estranged father returns and calls into question Del's paternity | ||||||
Series Four (1985)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | "Happy Returns" | Ray Butt | Susan Belbin | 21 February 1985 | 15.2 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del thinks he has a daughter | ||||||
| 25 | "Strained Relations" | Ray Butt | Susan Belbin | 28 February 1985 | 14.9 million | 30 minutes |
|
Grandad's funeral; Uncle Albert joins the cast | ||||||
| 26 | "Hole in One" | Ray Butt | Susan Belbin | 7 March 1985 | 13.4 million | 30 minutes |
|
Uncle Albert falls down the Nag's Head cellar to claim compensation | ||||||
| 27 | "It's Only Rock and Roll" | Ray Butt | Susan Belbin | 14 March 1985 | 13.6 million | 30 minutes |
|
Rodney joins an aspiring rock band and Del wants to be their manager | ||||||
| 28 | "Sleeping Dogs Lie" | Ray Butt | Susan Belbin | 21 March 1985 | 18.7 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del and Rodney "babysit" Marlene's Great Dane | ||||||
| 29 | "Watching the Girls Go By" | Ray Butt | Susan Belbin | 28 March 1985 | 14.4 million | 30 minutes |
|
Rodney wagers that he can get a date | ||||||
| 30 | "As One Door Closes" | Ray Butt | Susan Belbin | 4 April 1985 | 14.2 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del and Rodney attempt to catch a rare butterfly | ||||||
Christmas Special (1985)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | "To Hull and Back" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 25 December 1985 | 16.9 million | 90 minutes |
|
The Trotters travel to Amsterdam to smuggle diamonds | ||||||
Series Five (1986)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | "From Prussia With Love" | Ray Butt | Mandie Fletcher | 31 August 1986 | 12.1 million | 30 minutes |
|
The Trotters take in a pregnant German girl | ||||||
| 33 | "The Miracle of Peckham" | Ray Butt | Mandie Fletcher | 7 September 1986 | 14.2 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del witnesses a miracle at the local church | ||||||
| 34 | "The Longest Night" | Ray Butt | Mandie Fletcher | 14 September 1986 | 16.7 million | 30 minutes |
|
The Trotters are held hostage at a supermarket | ||||||
| 35 | "Tea for Three" | Ray Butt | Mandie Fletcher | 21 September 1986 | 16.5 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del goes hang gliding to impress Trigger's niece | ||||||
| 36 | "Video Nasty" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 28 September 1986 | 17.5 million | 30 minutes |
|
Rodney gets a council grant to make a film | ||||||
| 37 | "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 5 October 1986 | 17.5 million | 30 minutes |
|
Del is invited to set up business with an old friend in Australia | ||||||
Christmas Specials (1986-1988)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | "A Royal Flush" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 25 December 1986 | 18.8 million | 80 minutes |
|
Rodney dates the daughter of a Duke | ||||||
| 39 | "The Frog's Legacy" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 25 December 1987 | 14.3 million | 60 minutes |
|
The Trotters learn of a hidden gold legacy | ||||||
| 40 | "Dates" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 1988 | 16.6 million | 80 minutes |
|
Del meets Raquel through a dating agency | ||||||
Series Six (1989)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | "Yuppy Love" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 8 January 1989 | 13.9 million | 50 minutes |
|
Del becomes a yuppy; Rodney meets Cassandra | ||||||
| 42 | "Danger UXD" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 15 January 1989 | 16.1 million | 50 minutes |
|
The Trotters acquire some sex dolls filled with an explosive gas | ||||||
| 43 | "Chain Gang" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 22 January 1989 | 16.3 million | 50 minutes |
|
The gang buy some gold chains from a retired jeweller | ||||||
| 44 | "The Unlucky Winner Is..." | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 29 January 1989 | 17 million | 50 minutes |
|
Rodney wins a holiday to Spain | ||||||
| 45 | "Sickness and Wealth" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 5 February 1989 | 18.2 million | 50 minutes |
|
Del spends time in hospital | ||||||
| 46 | "Little Problems" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 12 February 1989 | 18.9 million | 50 minutes |
|
Rodney and Cassandra get married | ||||||
Christmas Specials (1989-1990)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | "The Jolly Boys' Outing" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 1989 | 20.1 million | 85 minutes |
|
The Nag's Head regulars go on a day trip to Margate; Del meets Raquel again | ||||||
| 48 | "Rodney Come Home" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 1990 | 18 million | 75 minutes |
|
Rodney leaves Cassandra | ||||||
Series Seven (1990)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | "The Sky's the Limit" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 30 December 1990 | 15 million | 50 minutes |
|
Del purchases a satellite dish stolen from Gatwick Airport | ||||||
| 50 | "The Chance of a Lunchtime" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 6 January 1991 | 16.6 million | 50 minutes |
|
Raquel announces she is pregnant; Rodney quits working for Cassandra's father | ||||||
| 51 | "Stage Fright" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 13 January 1991 | 16.6 million | 50 minutes |
|
Del hires a singer with a speech impediment to perform for a birthday party | ||||||
| 52 | "The Class of '62" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 20 January 1991 | 16.2 million | 50 minutes |
|
Roy Slater returns for a school reunion | ||||||
| 53 | "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Uncle" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 27 January 1991 | 17.2 million | 50 minutes |
|
Uncle Albert gets "mugged"; Rodney rejoins the company | ||||||
| 54 | "Three Men, a Woman and a Baby" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 3 February 1991 | 18.9 million | 50 minutes |
|
Raquel gives birth to Damien | ||||||
Christmas Specials (1991-2003)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | "Miami Twice: The American Dream" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 24 December 1991 | 17.7 million | 50 minutes |
|
Damien's christening; Del sells "pre-blessed" communion wine | ||||||
| 56 | "Miami Twice: Oh To Be In England" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 1991 | 14.9 million | 95 minutes |
|
Del and Rodney go to Miami, where Del is mistaken for a local Mafia boss | ||||||
| 57 | "Mother Nature's Son" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 1992 | 20.1 million | 65 minutes |
|
Del sells tap water as "Peckham Spring" | ||||||
| 58 | "Fatal Extraction" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 1993 | 19.6 million | 85 minutes |
|
Raquel leaves Del temporarily; Del is stalked by a "jilted" woman | ||||||
| 59 | "Heroes and Villains" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 1996 | 21.3 million | 60 minutes |
|
The brothers attend a fancy dress party; Raquel meets her parents again | ||||||
| 60 | "Modern Men" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 27 December 1996 | 21.3 million | 60 minutes |
|
Del tries to change his image; Cassandra miscarries | ||||||
| 61 | "Time On Our Hands" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 29 December 1996 | 24.3 million | 60 minutes |
|
Raquel's parents visit; the Trotters become millionaires | ||||||
| 62 | "If They Could See Us Now" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 2001 | 20.3 million | 71 minutes |
|
Uncle Albert dies; The Trotters lose their fortune | ||||||
| 63 | "Strangers on the Shore" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 2002 | 16.3 million | 75 minutes |
|
Del and Rodney go on a booze cruise to France to honour the memory of Uncle Albert | ||||||
| 64 | "Sleepless in Peckham" | Gareth Gwenlan | Tony Dow | 25 December 2003 | 15.5 million | 75 minutes |
|
Rodney and Cassandra have a baby; Rodney discovers the truth about his father | ||||||
The Story of Only Fools and Horses (2003)
| Title | Airdate | Synopsis | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| On location at 23 Nelson Mandela House and at the Nag's Head, we discover the behind-the-scenes stories, the stars reveal their own favorite memories and we learn just how they went about making us love Britain's biggest plonkers! |
Miscellaneous (1982-1997)
| # | Original Title | Producer | Director | Original airdate | Original TV Audience | Running Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | "Christmas Trees" | Ray Butt | Ray Butt | 27 December 1982 | 7.2 million | 8 minutes |
|
Mini-episode produced for the 1982 Christmas show, The Funny Side of Christmas, presented by Frank Muir, which also featured mini-episodes of Yes Minister, Last of the Summer Wine and Open All Hours. It sees Del trying to sell Christmas trees | ||||||
| TBA | "Licensed to Drill" | Malcolm Taylor | Malcolm Taylor | N/A | N/A | 20 minutes |
|
Educational episode made in 1984 and only shown in schools. Del, Rodney, and Grandad discuss oil drilling | ||||||
| TBA | "White Mice" | TBA | TBA | 24 December 1985 | N/A | 5 minutes |
|
In a spoof documentary, Del is investigated by a BBC consumer expert. Shown on BBC Breakfast Time in 1985. | ||||||
| TBA | "Royal Variety Show" | TBA | TBA | 27 November 1988 | N/A | 10 minutes |
|
Whilst delivering some dodgy goods, Del, Rodney and Uncle Albert inadvertently walk in to the Royal Variety Show | ||||||
| TBA | "The Robin Flies at Dawn" | Gareth Gwenlan | TBA | N/A | N/A | 15 minutes |
|
Del, Rodney and Uncle Albert deliver a goodwill message to British troops serving in the 1990-91 Gulf War | ||||||
| TBA | "Comic Relief Special" | TBA | TBA | 14 March 1997 | 10.6 million | 10 minutes |
|
An appeal for donations for Comic Relief | ||||||
Notes
- ^ "Big Brother". BBC.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Clark (1998), pp. 146-158
- ^ Webber (2003), p. 5
- ^ "Sleepless in Peckham". BBC.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Licensed to Drill". ofah.net.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Robin Flies At Dawn". ofah.net.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "White Mice". ofah.net.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
References
- Clark, Steve (1998). The Only Fools and Horses Story. BBC Books. ISBN 0-563-38445-X.
- Webber, Richard (2003). The Complete A-Z of Only Fools and Horses. Orion. ISBN 0-7528-6025-9.