A Del of a Life by David Jason

Book Description:

THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER: a hilarious and heartfelt new autobiography from the national treasure Sir David Jason

”So lithe,’ they say. ‘So spry and sparkling. So uncannily youthful. How on earth do you do it?’

Well, what can I tell you? An hour of tai chi first thing in the morning, an HIIT work-out with my personal trainer, a bowl of steamed kale and a handful of almonds for lunch, and then two hours of yoga in the afternoon followed by an ice bath – this is a routine which I’m sure would work miracles for anyone of any age, although I can’t be entirely sure because I haven’t myself adopted any aspect of it at any point.

Fortunately, during my life and career I have been given all sorts of advice and learned huge amounts from some great and enormously talented people. I’ve been blessed to play characters such as Derek Trotter, Granville, Pop Larkin and Frost, who have changed my life in all sorts of ways, and taught me lessons that go far beyond the television set. And I’ve worked a few things out for myself as well, about friendship, ambition, rejection, success, failure, adversity and fortune.

With any luck, some of these thoughts and observations will chime with episodes and challenges you have faced, or are facing, in your own life. And if they don’t… well, hopefully, at the very least you’ll get to have a good old laugh at my expense.

So lean back, pour yourself a glass, and try not to fall through the bar flap . . .’

My Thoughts:

I grew up on programmes such as Open All Hours and Only Fools and Horses. Whilst I never really watched some of the other famous programmes that the actor has been in, he has always been a firm favourite from my childhood home to now well into my adult life. My husband is also a huge fan and we have the Only Fools and Horses box sets and watch them as well as the re runs on the telly.

Each chapter is an insight into what his life was like as an actor and trying to catch a break. There are disappointments along the way as well as some well deserved highs. We get little snippets of behind the scenes and the writers and actors that David has met and worked with along the way.

I especially loved reading of the friendship that he and Ronnie Barker had. Ronnie was somewhat of a mentor to David and the respect and admiration that David has for him is very much felt when he talks about him. The author also shares some pictures with his readers of which I really enjoyed looking at and again brought back memories of some of my favourite shows.

A Del of a Life is a wonderful behind the scenes insight into a national treasure. David Jason is an actor who can do no wrong for me. I don’t think there has ever been anything I’ve seen him in that I didn’t enjoy. This is the first book that I have read about him of which he is obviously quite a private man. This book was the perfect opportunity to get to know the man behind the characters. I especially love when he talks about his time writing the book and during lockdown. It gives you a sense that no matter who you are, we are all in the same boat. Would whole heartedly recommend.