Only Fools and Horses: Lost episode discovered after lying on dusty shelf for years

Filmed back in 1984

A never-before-seen episode of Only Fools and Horses has been discovered, having been lying on a dusty shelf for years.

Titled ‘Licensed to Drill’, the episode was filmed back in 1984 and sees Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad working on a new get-rich-quick scheme, buying an oil rig for the 'bargain' price of £400.

“We just lay low in our boat for a while and we wait for one of the big oil companies to move off the oil field and then we whip in a bit lively and use their hole,” Del tells the others.

Unfortunately, the deal’s too good to be true and the Trotters soon realise there’s not much black gold to be found in Peckham.

The 19-minute episode was commissioned by the Maureen Oilfield Consortium and made for schools to teach children about the various uses of crude oil.

Notably, ‘Licensed to Drill’ marks Lennard Pearce’s last appearance as Grandad before his death that same year.

Snippets from the episode will air during UKTV Gold’s The Story Of Only Fools And Horses which will also feature various interviews with actors and outtakes.

John Quinn, the special’s executive producer, said: “Thanks to the late John Sullivan’s family, we have access to some exclusive behind-the-scenes material — driven by first-hand insights and anecdotes by many of those who were there.”

The Story of Only Fools and Horses, airs on UKTV’s Gold Channel on Tuesdays at 8pm until 3 October, which is when scenes from ‘Licensed to Drill’ will be shown for the first time.