Only Fools and Horses' Sir David Jason gives up flying his helicopter due to suffering 'increasing pain'

Sir David Jason, the beloved star of 'Only Fools and Horses', has revealed that he's had to hang up his helicopter pilot's hat due to ongoing hip pain. The 84 year old actor, who became a qualified helicopter pilot in 2005, used to regularly take to the skies in his own Robinson R44 aircraft.

However, mobility issues and a hip-replacement surgery last year have grounded him. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Sir David admitted that he's become "increasingly uncomfortable in the air [due to] migrating [pains in his hips, knees and legs]."

He also opened up about other health concerns, saying: "[My] memory isn’t what it used to be ... Most of us reach this point when things aren’t quite as bright as they used to be. " Despite these challenges, the actor remains positive, adding: "Mind you, I don’t wear a hearing aid, I don’t wear glasses, and I’ve only had to replace one bit of my body [a hip replacement], so I’m not doing too bad, thank you."

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In the same interview, Sir David shared some personal news about his home life. His daughter Sophie-Mae, his only child with wife Gill Hinchcliffe, moved out earlier this year to live with her boyfriend, leaving him with a case of empty nest syndrome. He joked: "There’s been a loss and a change. Now I can get into her bedroom without needing a bulldozer to clear the route. She was never the tidiest of little people but, having said that, yeah we do miss her. We miss not having an empty fridge!"

David also recently discovered that he's the father of 53 year old actress Abi Harris. He only learned of this two years ago when she reached out with suspicions about her ancestry, connecting the dots back to a fling from the '70s.

Since then, David has opened up about their growing bond, saying: "It was very nerve-racking, but we got over that and have been working and building a relationship ever since. Abi was only here about a week ago. We had a birthday party for her and her lad [son Charlie]. I’m not a great game player, but that’s all Charlie loves to do. "

He continued: "Him and my wife and daughter, as soon as they get here, they sit around the table, get the games out, and they’re off."

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