Who sang the Only Fools and Horses theme tune? Everyone is asking it, but the answer may surprise you.
There seems to be a constant flow of questions about Only Fools and Horses in our inbox, so today I put together a few suggested myths and a clear answer or two. If you have any then add them on the comments box below.
Only Fools and Horses theme tune – The Myth
It’s a myth that Nicholas Lyndhurst sang the opening theme tune to Only Fools and Horses
We must get this question in our inbox several times a year. Quite simply John Sullivan creator and scriptwriter to Only Fools sung the opening and closing theme tunes.
How did the myth come about?
I’ve no idea, I can only presume it’s because it does actually sound a little like Rodney Trotter.
The facts
John Sullivan wrote and performed the song to Only Fools & Horses. It was widely reported that originally John wanted Chas and Dave to sing it, but they were busy, so BBC told him he would have to sing it himself, of course, we are talking from the second series onwards. The first series was just a cheesy saxophone tune composed by Ronnie Hazlehurst. Of course, many years later Chas and Dave did get the call up to sing the title songs for the Christmas Special episode, The Jolly Boys Outing
Only Fools and Myths
The Myth
All the DVDs contain every episode and are a complete set
The Fact
Unfortunately, this isn’t true! Anyone who has seen a broadcasted version on BBC or GOLD will have noticed several missing scenes or changes to the background music. Do read Ronnies articles on this https://www.ofah.net/blog/only-fools-and-horses-cuts-part-1/
I’m not aware of any other sitcom having this treatment, probably due to the fact that this is the only sitcom I really care about, but sadly many clips are lost due to the BBC not wanting to pay extra royalties for the music (Damiens tune being a classic example of this where Carmen Burana is replaced.
Robbie Williams The Myth
Robbie Williams appears as an extra in the Nags head
The Fact its Paul Livermore
It really looks like him but according to John Sullivan “I’m not aware of Robbie Williams being on the set during the filming”
The Myth on Tessa Peake-Jones
Tessa Peake-Jones who played Raquel Turner had appeared in the very first episode Big Brother.
Tessa Peake-Jones The Facts from John Sullivan himself
I once had a rare opportunity to talk to John Sullivan. I then asked John if it was true, that Raquel (Tessa Peake-Jones) had appeared in the very first episode Big Brother. The scene is where Del walks in and a bird in the background says Hello to Del. It does sound like Tessa but is now confirmed as an Urban Myth with no substance.
See https://www.ofah.net/blog/big-brother/ for the screenshot
So what Only Fools and Horses myths have you come across?
I’m more interested in who *played* the theme tune, because that bass line sounds *exactly* like the bloke from Chas and Dave…
In a early episode grandad mentions del giving money to the church for a new roof as it was him who nicked the old one before the miracle of Peckham episode
It’s true that it wasn’t Robbie Williams in MNS. An extra who was in the episode commented under a video on YT giving the actual name of the actor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1GgtrukO48
Agreed. John Sullivan even confirmed himself that it wasn’t Robbie.
But I completley understand why people think it would be him, the actor does indeed look like Robbie Williams
Nicholas lyndhurst sang the theme tune.
I should know, I was there
I spent half my working life listening to people speak, correcting the phrasing, accent etc. I certainly didnt need to be told, for example, that Plastic Bertram didnt sing ‘Ca plan Pour Moi!”
I dont know if you were there but it certainly is Nicholas Lyndhurst. In my opinion!
WHERE can I find that song with NICHOLAS LYNHURST sing that theme song for ONLY FOOL & HORSES. PLEASE DO REPLY A.S.A.P. THANK YOU. PS I HAVE TRY EVERY WHERE? THANK YOU
Nope. John Sullivan sung the opening and closing theme credits to only fools.
the original plan was, Sullivan wanted Chas and Dave to sing the theme for only fools, but the duo were busy with other commitments, so John Sullivan stepped in himself to sing it.
I always think the living room in the Trotter’s flat appears to be a slightly larger size in later episodes when Raquel lived in the flat, than in earlier episodes when Grandad lived there. Anyone else noticed that?
I never thought that Nicholas Lyndhurst ever sang the theme tune, and every time I hear it, I still can’t see why people think that.
It says in the credits ronnie hazel wood or what ever his name is sung the song. It doesnt sound like john Sullivan at all
Why is the scene at the Mardis Gras cut short on the DVD but not when it is shown on TV?
Is there anywhere the full version of Jolly boys can be bought?
Many thanks
Ive got the full version on video :)
The scene is cut on all DVD releases due to the female singer performing the song: ‘just the way you are’
I’m under the impression the reason it was cut, is due to cost cutting reasons, the BBC would have had to pay the person who originally sung the track, to put it on DVD releases.
Either way, it’s a great show
I never knew there was any myths.
And another thing !!!! I would have bet my house that nicholas lyndhurst sanf the theme tune…and it seems i was wrong !!!!
albout throw saxphone in the bin he wont it and someone thaw some mukey of food on him
Sorry?
In English please not a clue what your on about !!!
Translation: Albert threw the saxophone (he means trumpet) in the bin. He (Rodney) wants it and someone threw some muck and food on him (down the dust chute).
He’s referring to the picture at the top from the episode ‘The Miracle of Peckham’.
That’s because it was Nicholas Lyndhurst who sung it.take no notice of what’s written on here. That is definitely Rodney trotter’s singing voice!
It really was not his singing voice (encase you’re being serious for a minute)
No it isnt john sullivan wanted chas n dave but there careers had just taken off so they were unavailable and thus sullivan sang the tune himself
I am a massive fan of the show, watch it all the time. One thing I can’t understand is why they used so many different exterior buildings as the Nags Head pub. I appreciate pubs go bust but it would have been far better if they’d have tried to stick to one building.
i think raquel should of had an affair with rodney would anyone agree the reason i think that is because in some episodes she doesnt like him some she talks to him what a good affair
What are you, some sort of pervo?
That’s quite a ridiculous myth.
Can’t even understand your reasons behind it!
Maybe if it was an Eastenders episode.
Once when i was looking on the internet at only fools and horses scripts i came accross newton heath tealeaf script where rodney and cass have a row in pictures over a actor trig dresses up as santa for damien and them dystol brothers are back in it but i cant find that one on dvd how come
Huh?????
Sorry, I cannot understand the grammar in your statement.
This sounds like a dream you may have had?
Is it true.
One of the actors who played diamien also played one of the micheals in Goodnight sweetheart that other programme rodney did with that not all there michelle holmes
Michael wad blonde. Damien is dark
Is Boycie’s real name Alfred?
Or is it a myth?
No his name is AUBREY, I didn’t find this out until they did Green Green Grass
So is his name Aubrey, or is that his middle name (as he says in In sickness and in wealth)?
http://www.ofah.net/Files/Sickness%20And%20Wealth.txt
You can hear him say “it’s my middle name” although there is laughter over the first bit.
His first name is Aubrey, he reveals that in the episode where there’s a seance.
http://foolsandhorses.weebly.com/where-have-i-seen-you-before.html
second picture when you scroll down, is it Robbie Williams
No, John Sullivan confirmed Robbie Williams was never on set, and was never asked to appear in the episode.
it’s just an actor that looks like a bit like Robbie
I Have heard a myth that Raquel was in the very first episode ‘BIG BROTHER She was the first person to speak in the first scene in the ‘Nags Head’, she said “All right DEl ?”
GOING TO WATCH THE EPISODE AND CHECK IT OUT NOW !!!
Definitely sounds like her – but it is a myth and isn’t her.
It would of been a brilliant twist from Sullivan, but not so
see – https://www.ofah.net/blog/big-brother/
We recently asked John Sullivan if it was true, that Raquel (Tessa Peake-Jones) had appeared in the very first episode Big Brother. The scene is pictured here, where Del walks in and a bird in the background says Hello to Del, it does sound like Tessa but is now confirmed as an Urban Myth with no substance.