Only Fools And Horses First Episode Date

Alright, gather 'round, gather 'round! I've got a tale to tell you about a certain British sitcom that's as classic as a Del Boy catchphrase. You might've heard of it, it's called "Only Fools and Horses". Now, I know what you're thinking, "When did this gem first grace our screens?" Well, buckle up, 'cause here we go!

Back in the Day

Picture this: it's the summer of 1981, the sun's out, the ice cream vans are doing a roaring trade, and over in the BBC studios, a new sitcom is about to make its debut. Now, you might think, "1981? That's ancient history!" But let me tell you, this show was so ahead of its time, it was practically wearing a hovercraft as a hat!

So, there we were, the 8th of September, 1981. The nation was glued to their tellys, waiting with bated breath. The first episode of "Only Fools and Horses" was about to air, and little did we know, our lives were about to be changed forever.

Meet the Trotters

Now, this wasn't just any sitcom. No, no, no. This was the story of the Trotters, a family of market traders from Peckham, South London. There was Del Boy, the eternal optimist with a dodgy deal around every corner. His long-suffering brother, Rodney, who was always trying to better himself. And their granddad, who was... well, let's just say he had a unique perspective on life.

And let's not forget the iconic theme tune, "The Frog Song" by Chas and Dave. It's as London as a red double-decker bus and as catchy as a cold in winter. You can't help but tap your toes along to it, can you?

Surprising Facts

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Did you know that the first episode, "Big Brother", was written by the show's creator, John Sullivan, in just three days? That's right, folks! He was so inspired, he dashed it off quicker than Del Boy could say, "You know it makes sense!"

BBC - History of the BBC, Only Fools and Horses 8 September 1981

And get this, the Trotters' iconic three-wheeled van, the Reliant Regal Supervan, was actually a write-off before the show started. They bought it for a tenner and fixed it up. Talk about turning a lemon into a money-spinner!

The Rest is History

So, there you have it, the first episode of "Only Fools and Horses" aired on the 8th of September, 1981. And the rest, as they say, is history. The show ran for an incredible 22 years, with over 60 episodes, and became a true British institution.

It's been over 40 years since that first episode, and the Trotters are still as loved as ever. From "This time next year, we'll be millionaires!" to "You've been mugged off, Rodney!", their catchphrases have become a part of our national vocabulary. And isn't that just the best kind of legacy?

So, the next time you're feeling a bit down, or you need a reminder of what makes Britain great, just put on an episode of "Only Fools and Horses". It's the comedy equivalent of a warm cup of tea and a slice of cake. And who could say no to that?