Only Fools and Horses characters

Matthew Wickenden recently contacted us with this article regarding his top 3 Only Fools and Horses characters which appear in one episode only. It makes a great read so enjoy his article below.

Top 3 OFAH characters to appear in one episode only (not including Rock and chips)

Character 1 – The Driscoll brothers (Roy Marsden and Christopher Ryan):

I know this is cheating slightly, but as they only appeared in one episode, they were formidable together. While being mentioned in numerous other episodes and always having that fear factor, they finally were introduced in the episode Little problems. The two brothers, Danny and Tony Driscoll have great chemistry on screen with some rather witty dialogue such as ‘look Tony we discussed this. I do the thinking, and you don’t’. While also being a funny and engaging duo, they also have an interesting and saddening back story, revealing characters of emotional depth, something which John Sullivan was so accomplished for. It’s also fascinating to see a different side of Del Boy and Boycie, two characters that never show fear or are pushed around, are suddenly terrified at the prospect of coming face to face with the Driscoll brothers, which shows a more intimate side to their characters.

The Driscoll Brothers in Green Green Grass

Character 2 –  Reenie Turpin (Joan Sims):

Reenie is Joan Trotter, Del boys mums, best friend and she gives an emotional and deep insight into Joan’s life in the frog’s legacy and reveals a major plot point of the series, the mystery of Rodney’s dad, who later turns out to be Freddie Robdal, which is revealed in the last episode ‘sleepless in Peckham’. Reenie was very close to Joan and also looked after Del and Rodney and it would have been fascinating to have seen more of her, as in some ways, she was a mother figure to Del and Rodney, and the last link for Del and Rodney to their mother except Grandad. A charming and bubbly character, she lit up the screen and was compatible with Del and the chemistry was axiomatic. A fantastically written character that is used to further the story, and could have been used again.

Character 3 – Corrine (Denzil’s wife):

Little is known about Denzil’s wife, except that Denzil talks about her briefly in occasional episodes and she appears once in the episode ‘who’s a pretty boy then’. Played by Eva Mottley, she is a headstrong woman who despises Del Boy and the Trotter family for ruining their wedding ‘and what did we end up with? Pie and chips all round’. Corrine berates Denzil for trusting Del as she says ‘how can you trust this man? Whenever you meet him you end up drunk or out of pocket!’… ‘Yeah I know. But he’s a mate’. She has a soft side to her character and is an interesting insight into Denzil, who although an interesting character, could have been used more and Corrine could have been an effective look into Denzil’s character to learn more about him, his brothers and family, and in general why he’s a soft touch.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Matthew Wickenden.