Gold commiions two Sir David Jason Specials

LONDON - Wednesday 11th January UKTV, the multi-award-winning media company has commissioned two restrospective specials featuring Sir David Jason as part of Golds 25th Birthday celebrations. Continuing its investment in UKTV Originals, Gold has greenlit David Jason: My Life On Screen (3 x 60) from Shiver and The Story of Only Fools & Horses (5 x 60) produced by North One Television, in tribute to one of the nations best-loved comedy actors and some of his most-iconic starring roles.

For the first time Sir David Jason looks back at his incredible life in television in this exclusive three-part special, David Jason: My Life On Screen. This revealing, highly personal insight into the life and career of an actor, who has become an undisputed national treasure, will be told in his own words.

Sir David will talk about the comedy stars who inspired him, including the pivotal role his friend and mentor Ronnie Barker played in his career. Hell recall his first big television break, working alongside future Monty Python stars Michael Palin and Eric Idle on the comedy sketch show Do Not Adjust Your Set. Sir David Jason will also treat viewers to a tour of his childhood roots in Finchley and the theatres where he first trod the boards. Plus visits to the locations of some of his most well-known shows including, Only Fools & Horses, The Darling Buds of May and A Touch of Frost.

Sir David Jason on My Life On Screen,

As my life on screen has now gathered variety and quantity, I am hoping that I can offer a documentary which gives the audience an accurate range of my work. Fingers crossed, it should make for an enjoyable programme to reflect the enjoyment Ive had in making each and every show.

The Story of Only Fools & Horses is the definitive story of Britains best-loved TV family. This five-part series features rare and unseen footage from the Trotter archives and specially re-created moments from Del Boys family and friends.

Sir David Jason and other members of this tight-knit crew analyse their favourite sequences, experiences and memories, giving viewers unprecedented access to John Sullivans Peckham-based masterpiece. Plus an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how certain scenes arose and how stories developed to create those well-loved comedy moments.

About the series Sir David Jason said,

It has taken a lot of persuasion for me to take part in an official documentary about Only Fools & Horses but, as time has gone on, it seems to have been imprinted in television history and I thought it was only right that I tried to give an accurate insight into how the show was put together. In doing so, I hope we can create a definitive programme which appeals to the many fans which have been the stalwarts of the show and are growing with the next generation. It should be fun!

Ordered by Steve North, General Manager for Gold, and Richard Watsham, UKTVs Director of Commissioning, both series are commissioned by UKTVs Senior Commissioning Editor, Iain Coyle. David Jason: My Life On Screen will be executive produced by Mark Robinson for Shiver. The Story of Only Fools & Horses will be produced by North One TV with John Quinn as executive producer.

Iain Coyle said,

What a day. Im just so immensely proud to be working with a television icon in Sir David Jason, paying tribute to a British cultural phenomenon in Only Fools & Horses and the extraordinary legacy of John Sullivan.

Steve North added,

I am so excited to be working with Sir David Jason to help celebrate Golds 25th birthday this year, and really delve into one of the most loved shows and actors on the channel. Gold viewers will get a real treat from both series, and I personally cant wait to get to know more about the man behind some of our best performing comedies on Gold.

Mark Robinson, Creative Director of Shiver, said,

We feel totally privileged to be working with Sir David on this project. He is an actor who has constantly been voted the nations favourite TV star, so it is a dream project to be asked to tell the story of his life on screen, and to help celebrate over 50 years of an incredibly diverse career, combining classic comedy with award-winning drama. We want to reveal not just how Sir Davids television journey has evolved but also why it evolved in such a way; in Sir Davids story there are so many twists of fate, without which some of our all-time favourite TV moments might never have taken place.

John Quinn, Executive Producer for North One TV said,

Thanks to the late John Sullivans 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, including Sir David, this will be a fresh, we hope definitive, telling of the Only Fools & Horses story.

Jim Sullivan from Shazam Productions said,

Shazam Productions are very happy and excited to be co-producing with North One this new five-part celebration of Only Fools and Horses. With new interviews with cast, crew and fans, and exclusive clips, we hope it will give fresh insight into the making of the series, its impact and legacy.

This move supports UKTVs ongoing strategy to order fresh and original content and introduce it to the Gold audience, securing access to extraordinary talent and telling sories that have never been told before. The Story of Only Fools & Horses and David Jason: My Life On Screen joins a plethora of UKTV Originals on Gold in 2017 including Henry XI and We Have Been Watching.

Notes to Editors:

For all press enquiries and interview requests please contact;

Jess Molyneux, Publicist

Kerry Goode, Head of Network Communications

About Gold Sky 110, Virgin 126, BT and TalkTalk 408 On demand on Sky, Virgin and Now TV.

With more successful original commissions than ever before, the likes of Marleys Ghosts, Comic Strip Presents...Red Top and The Rebel sit comfortably al

LINK:	http://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/gold-commissions-two-sir-davi...
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