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Unseen Only Fools clips add depth, filmmaker says

Patrick BarlowSouth East
News imageBBC A still from Only Fools and Horses - in it, Del Boy (David Jason), Uncle Albert (Buster Merryweather) and Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) are stood next to each other holding candy floss. They are outside on a sunny day. Rodney is lifting a plastic Union Jack bowler hat.BBC
David Jason, Buster Merryfield and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Del Boy, Uncle Albert and Rodney in The Jolly Boys' Outing

Previously unseen footage from a much-loved episode of Only Fools and Horses will reveal more depth and texture to the characters of the classic British sitcom, the maker of a new documentary has said.

Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive will show previously cut clips from a number of episodes including The Jolly Boys' Outing, filmed and based in Margate.

Richard Latto, a comedy archive specialist who unearthed some of the material, said it showed how well written the characters were and he hoped the scenes could be used in extended episodes.

He told the BBC the Jolly Boys' Outing footage "was absolutely amazing to find" and he remembered watching it with his family on Christmas Day.

Latto added: "The episodes are so well known, so to now have scenes that aren't so well known that are still incredibly funny made it special.

"I think people will see much more depth and texture to the characters, and learn a bit more about them."

Latto said much of the newly-found content was scenes which had been removed to meet time restrictions, but were still of good quality.

News imageOnly Fools and Horses Appreciation Society People sitting around a seaside table under a striped umbrella, including Uncle Albert, with a large inflatable dolphin, parked cars and a coach in the background.Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society
The episode saw the characters embark on a chaotic, ill-fated coach trip to the seaside

New scenes from The Jolly Boys' Outing include an extended look at the coach trip to Margate as well as the entire footage of the group's rollercoaster ride at Dreamland from the 1989 Christmas episode.

The episode saw Del Boy, Rodney and Uncle Albert, played by actors Sir David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst and Buster Merryfield, embark on a chaotic, ill-fated coach trip, along with the Nag's Head pub regulars, down to the coast from their home in Peckham, south-east London.

It has become one of the shows most beloved episodes, reaching a viewership of more than 20m people and inspiring tours of Margate based on the show.

Latto said that new shots for the documentary had been fully digitized, and he hoped this could help episodes of the show be restored in high definition.

"I think a full restoration would be excellent. We could do it in high definition, with extended, full versions," he said.

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