Only Fools and Horses poster

Only Fools and Horses

1981–1990 Comedy

Only Fools and Horses.... Is a British sitcom created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally transmitted on BBC One from 1981 to 1991, with sixteen sporadic Christmas specials aired until 2003. In working-class Peckham in south-east London, ambitious market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his younger half-brother Rodney, explore their highs and lows in life, in particular their attempts to get rich. Initially not an immediate hit and receiving little promotion early on, it later achieved consistently high ratings, and the 1996 episode "Time on Our Hands" (originally billed as the series finale) holds the record for the biggest UK audience for a sitcom episode, attracting 24.3 million viewers. The series bears a significant influence on British culture, contributing several words and phrases to the English language.

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Overview

Only Fools and Horses.... Is a British sitcom created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally transmitted on BBC One from 1981 to 1991, with sixteen sporadic Christmas specials aired until 2003.

In working-class Peckham in south-east London, ambitious market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his younger half-brother Rodney, explore their highs and lows in life, in particular their attempts to get rich.

Initially not an immediate hit and receiving little promotion early on, it later achieved consistently high ratings, and the 1996 episode "Time on Our Hands" (originally billed as the series finale) holds the record for the biggest UK audience for a sitcom episode, attracting 24.3 million viewers. The series bears a significant influence on British culture, contributing several words and phrases to the English language.

Series Snapshot

Status
Released
Total Seasons
7
Total Episodes
45
First Air Date
Sep 8, 1981
Most Recent Air Date
Dec 25, 2023
Network / Platform
BritBox Amazon Channel
Original Language
en-US

Themes

Tone & Style

  • Lighter moments and character-driven humor shape the pacing.
  • Serialized structure rewards long-form viewing over stand-alone episodes.
  • Completed run offers a finite, binge-friendly arc.

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Creators & Cast

Main cast:

Rating
12.1
Seasons
7
Episodes
45

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Metadata

Seasons