Sir David Jason was sacked by BBC three hours after landing iconic Dad's Army role

Sir David Jason
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Sir David Jason, much-loved for his iconic role in Only Fools and Horses, didn't always have the smoothest of acting careers. The 84-year-old actor was sacked from Dad's Army mere hours into filming following a bold move by the BBC.

Previously known for smaller roles on television programmes like Mother Goose and Doctor at Large, Sir David had secured a part in Dad's Army. Despite passing the audition for Lance Corporal Jones and winning over show producers Jimmy Perry and David Croft with his ability to portray an older character, a decision from BBC executive Bill Cotton led to his replacement by Clive Dunn, reports the Express.

Reflecting on the swift turn of events, David said: "I was cast at 12 o'clock and sacked by three."

READ MORE: Music legends Nile Rodgers and CHIC set to play Leicester gig later this year

Clive Dunn
Clive Dunn replaced Sir David in Dad's Army -Credit:BBC

Alongside this setback, he was also passed over for the role of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, with BBC executives doubting his "star quality." Nevertheless, Sir David eventually found monumental success as Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, after having enjoyed earlier triumphs in Open All Hours and Porridge, working alongside notable talents like Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale,

Before rising to fame, it may come as a surprise that Sir David initially worked as an electrician, a profession far from the limelight. The celebrated actor said: "When I first started work I was an apprentice electrician.

"When you are an apprentice to any trade, you have to absorb all sorts of traits you're bumping into people who are bricklayers, plasterers, pipe benders, plumbers. And if you're interested in making things, it leaves its mark. You get interested in how a plumber bends a piece of pipe, and that sort of thing is still with me, I still love bending pipes."

He also shared how he landed his role in Open All Hours after forming a close bond with co-star Ronnie Barker on set. Sir David said: "The reason I got to work with Ronnie on Open All Hours was because of the little bits that I had done in his other series.

"He played this wonderful, bumbling character, and I was playing this hundred-year-old gardener. It was just working with him and understanding how he approached things."

We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first