Sir David Jason reveals his disappointment at not getting a famous role

Coming up in the spotlight back in the 1960s on television and radio, Sir David Jason has since become a household name for TV and movie lovers in the UK. The 80-year-old actor is best known for playing Derek “Del Boy” Trotter on the iconic show Only Fools and Horses, as well as his roles in A Touch of Frost, Open All Hours, and The Darling Buds of May, among other popular titles.

For someone as talented and as well-known as David Jason, who is also a published author and multiple award winner, it might come to a shock to know that he’s actually been turned down for some roles. Recently, as reported by Hello! Magazine, the famous star revealed one part he missed out on that really disappointed him.

The National Television Award winner shared that he was initially casted for the part of Lance Corporal Jones on the BBC sitcom Dad’s Army. The show ran from 1968 to 1977, and even spawned a movie. As fans of the show will know, the part eventually went to the late Clive Dunn, who apparently was the first choice for the character.

According to Hello! Magazine, David Jason was only picked for the part after Clive Dunn had scheduling issues and had to say no, however once Dunn was able to work out his schedule, he was able to take on the part of Lance Corporal Jones after all. What a tough loss for Jason!

Clive Dunn passed away in 2012 at the age of 92. He was best known for his roles in Dad’s Army, My Old Man, and Grandad.

While speaking about losing out on the role, Jason said:

"That was a bitter, bitter blow but strangely enough… if I had been cast in that, if that had happened I would not have been available to do Derek Trotter in Fools and Horses and because of that, I got the chance to play other roles such as All the King’s Men, and the porter in Porterhouse Blue. All of those other parts all came because I was available after Fools and Horses so had I got Dad’s Army it would have gone on for so long and I would never have had the opportunity to play it."

So it looks like despite the disappointment of losing a role, it all worked out for Jason in the end!