The forgotten Only Fools and Horses live sketch where Rodney nearly ‘nuts’ TV host
The Trotters clashed with TV host Russell Harty
Through its 23 years on screens there were a number of lesser known Only Fools sketches and shorts made alongside the main TV show and Christmas specials. Many of these have since become cult collectibles and offer rare chances for fans to hear never before seen material from the famous characters.
This particular sketch was included in 1983 as part of TV presenter Russell Harty’s Christmas party programme, which included clips and shorts from a number of different BBC shows. It featured a short scripted chat between Grandad, Del, and Rodney, before a rare ad-libbed interview between the host and the iconic sitcom characters.
The sketch was somewhat meta long before this became a trend in TV, with a line by Grandad winking at the Trotter’s real world fame as he said to Del: “When we went up Regents Street to see the lights all the tourists were taking pictures of you, they thought you were part of the decorations.”
Explaining their presence at the Christmas party in the BBC studio at the beginning of the sketch, Del admits that they are “light of money, of late”, or as he so eloquently puts it “Potless”, “nicht coin”, and “polo mint”.
As a result of their downturn in fortunes, Del has spotted the party as an opportunity to “mingle inconspicuously, have turkey dinner and a party hat – all flagratis.” Asking Rodney: “How about it?”
To which Rodney replies incredulously: “You… are gonna mingle inconspicuously?”
The Trotters go back and forth for a couple more minutes before being joined by the host Russell, who begins asking about what each of them are getting the others for Christmas, leading to some excellent ad libbing from the three actors.
While doing this Russell pokes fun at Rodney for wanting a diver’s watch, after which Rodney complains that he “keeps being mean”, this in turn prompting Del to instruct Rodney to “nut” the host in a hilarious sequence.
Eventually the sketch comes to an end after a particularly funny BDSM joke from Del Boy. After Russell asks whether Del needs manacles to keep him above water in the bath with all his jewellery on, David Jason cleverly jokes “Nah I got out of that stuff years ago.” Prompting guffaws from everyone.
