Sarah Duncan aka Vicky : Where are they now?
Sarah, it’s great to have you visiting the site and even making some recent comments on the blog. Some fans spotted you in a recent game show, though sadly no mention of your starring episode at the time. We would love to hear more about the episode you starred in.
The fans no doubt would love to get some memories from you from the time you filmed the great only fools and horses episode A Royal Flush.
Sarah – We filmed A Royal Flush around Salisbury, mostly on a big estate where the family had moved out of the big house and into the stable block. When we arrived the front was all overgrown, but the design team cleared it up and gave it a grand gravel driveway with urns and topiary trees, just right for cars swooshing round. At the end of the shoot someone asked Ray Butt about when were we going to film the people arriving for the party. Never – it wasn’t in the script. But there had been an arrival scene in the very first draft and that’s what the design team had gone on. So when they realised it wasn’t needed, they took it all away again, right down to the last bit of the gravel.
Were there scenes that never made the original airing you can recall or any little snippets would be great for the fans?
Sarah – The interiors of the Opera scene were shot up in Buxton. Again, a confusion with the script meant that there were more speaking extras needed than there originally had been, so their lines were said by the production crew off set – you can hear the different sound quality.
The first scene I was in was the market scene. It was a very cold day and I had to sit on this teeny stool for ages. I was freezing – you can see me shaking.
When I drove off in the Mercedes, I’d never driven an automatic before so was terrified i was going to get the wrong gear and go backwards into the crew. They said, just put your foot down, so I did – we shot off at about 60mph which I don’t think anyone was expecting. I had to come back and do it more slowly.
I didn’t spend much time with David Jason as we didn’t have many scenes together but Nick Lyndhurst was lovely, so friendly and helpful. All the crew were very friendly – it was a very happy time.
Have you watched the A Royal Flush episode since the filming?
Sarah – I hope this is the sort of thing you wanted – it’s quite a long time ago for me! I’ve watched it a couple of times – the DVD cut quite a few of my favourite bits, like Arnold the butler treading on the peas Del had spilt. I love the expression on his face. When I watch it I mainly think – blimey, what a lot of hair I had then!
Sarah currently writes a regular blog, twitters and has written several books
Below is an excerpt from her biography
10 facts Sarah Duncan…
ATB sarah
A Single to Rome (Headline Review)
www.sarahduncan.co.uk
Many thanks Sarah for your time – ofah.net
Yes reconisged Sarah on the chase . One of the great episodes, royal flush, anyway how is Hanson Samson ha ha
I JUST YOU ON THAT EPSIODE OF ONLY FOOLS AND I THINK YOU WERE EXCELLENT IN IT I SURPRISE YOU DIDNT APPEAR IN ANY THINK ELSE.I THINK YOU ARE VERY BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS AND VERY GOOD ACTRESS. HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM KENNETH PRIOR
“A Royal Flush” is my number 1 all time favourite OFAH episode.Its 07.45 am and im watching it right now..Your still looking wonderful Sarah.
Watching Fools and Horses your great in your roll. Shame you gave acting up though
Not that it will interest anybody (but me) but feel the need that Sarah kindly tweeted me back. @tomVgriff to find out more!
Can’t believe nobody has replied to this yet.
Interesting read, and thanks for taking the time to provide an insight to ‘A Royal Flush’ episode. Good work.
I genuinly think Rodders’ finest moment was dating a posh and pretty bird. Defo his finest pick! (Bound to get stick for this comment! ~ha ha)