'Lost' episode of Only Fools and Horses to be shown for the first time

It was filmed in 1984

Published 12th Sep 2017
Last updated 14th Sep 2017

For the first time ever a 'lost' episode of the 80s comedy Only Fools and Horses will be shown on TV.

The episode, called Licensed to Drill, is believed to have been sitting on a dusty shelf for years before it was found and it will now be shown as part of an Only Fools and Horses special, The Story Of Only Fools And Horses, to celebrate UKTV Gold's 25th anniversary.

Produced by the Maureen Oilfield Consortium and created exclusively for British schools, Licensed to Drill was made to teach school children about crude oil and the things that can be mass-produced from it.

The episode features the main characters of Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad. Filmed in 1984 the episode is particularly poignant as it was Lennard Pearce’s final appearance as Grandad before his death later that year.

In Licensed to Drill,** **Del Boy reveals his latest get-rich-quick scheme is to buy an oil rig for the bargain price of £400 and drill for oil. However Rodney is dubious about this new idea when he finds out the oil rig is being kept in a garage in Catford!

"I don't think you read that magazine very well did you!" exclaimed Rodney when he was told about it, asking Del how they were going to do the exploration. Of course quick-thinker Del had a response for his younger brother saying,

"We don't have to! We just stay low in our boat for a while and we wait for one of the big oil companies to move off the oil field, then we whip in and use their hole!"

Also being shown as part of The Story Of Only Fools And Horses is a series of outtakes or bloopers from the time the series was originally recorded, along with clips of the actors watching the scenes.

With an original run of 10 years, Only Fools and Horses has been repeated in recent years on UKTV Gold for another generation. The series followed ambitious market trader Del Boy and his younger brother Rodders in their constant aim to make millions through various schemes.

The Story Of Only Fools And Horses will be shown on UKTV Gold on Tuesdays at 8pm until 3rd October.

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'Lost' episode of Only Fools and Horses to be shown for the first time
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