Only Fools and Horses icon Del Boy was nearly played by another huge actor

is best known for his portrayal of Del Boy Trotter in the BBC sitcom , but the role almost went to another huge actor.

While reflecting on being unable to crack Hollywood, the 84-year-old revealed he was considered for parts in two anticipated films of 2023, The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry and The Great Escaper.

However, the roles went to two other renowned British actors. Jim Broadbent appeared as retired pensioner Harold Fry in the former, while portrayed Bernard Jordan, a World War II hero from Dunkirk intent on breaking out of his nursing home to join the 70th-anniversary events in France, in the latter.

Coincidentally, Broadbent, 75, had once been in the running to portray Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses but was forced to decline due to theatre commitments.

Discussing missing out on the role, Broadbent said: "Luckily David Jason was available so my biggest contribution to British culture is not being available."

In a heartfelt passage from his latest autobiography, This Time Next Year, Jason rues missing out on the leading role in The Great Escape, writing: "I thought it was going to be me escaping from the care home and going to look for my Dunkirk chums. It's the hope that kills you."

When musing about his unfulfilled Hollywood dreams, he added: "I would love to be able to declare that my collected film work on DVD would make an elegant shelf of high-class cinematic experiences to browse among an evening. I fear, however, that it may look more like the contents of a box pulled out from under a table at a car boot sale."

The beloved actor captured hearts worldwide as Peckham market trader Del Boy, portraying the titular role from 1981 to 2003.

Yet, David admitted he feels "haunted" by the character that has shadowed him for years. Speaking to Jon Kay on , he confessed: "That Derek Trotter thing, he's a bit of a ghost that comes along behind me like A Christmas Carol."

When Jon questioned the analogy, asking if Del Boy was indeed a spectral presence in his life, David admitted: "Which only hangs me back, only upsets me slightly is because that seems to be the only thing that people remember me for.

"I'm delighted in one way that it's reached so many people and they've enjoyed what I've done with the character, but I've done so many other things that everybody seems to have forgotten about. It's like I've only ever played Derek Trotter."

David expressed his sorrow at not achieving one particular dream: "My real disappointment or regret, if you like, is I always wanted to be a National Theatre player. I always wanted to be on the stage of the National Theatre. It was just that romantic image of playing those big productions with all those big, wonderful actors. That never happened."