Del Boy 'set for return'

Lyndhurst (left) with Jason and the late Merryfield (right)

Only Fools and Horses - one of Britain's all-time favourite TV comedies - is reported to be returning to our screens.

Creator John Sullivan has written three hour-long specials of the sitcom to be shown next Christmas, according to the Sun newspaper.

"We're on. All the studio dates have been pencilled in," Sullivan is quoted as saying.

"The stars are up for it and I have the bones of the story in place."

John Challis played Boycie

The last episode of the BBC One hit comedy was screened in December 1996 and watched by 24 million viewers.

A BBC spokesman would neither confirm nor deny the reports.

However, he added: "We have made no secret of the fact that we would like to get the Only Fools and Horses team back together.

"We would love it and so would the fans."

All the main Only Fools and Horses stars are said to be eager to get back to the show, based in south-east London.

They include David Jason, 61, who plays lead character Del Boy Trotter - the loveable "ducking and diving" suitcase salesman.

He became a father for the first time this week when his partner Gill Hinchcliffe, 41, gave birth to a girl.

Also keen is Nicholas Lyndhurst, 39, who plays Del Boy's "plonker" brother Rodney who unwittingly gets caught up in Del's scams.

Sadly, Buster Merryfield - who played the brothers' immovable high rise guest Uncle Albert - has died since the sitcom went off air.

Fans of the show have had to make do with repeats since it was pulled, which have continued to draw big audiences.

Other than that, watching the shows on home video has been the only remaining option.