David Jason, 79, steps back into the role of Granville as he chats to a police officer on set during filming for Still Open All Hours
David Jason threw himself into filming as he reprised his role as Granville for Still Open All Hours.
The actor, 79, was pictured chatting to a police officer as he shot scenes for the much loved comedy’s sixth series on Lister Avenue in Doncaster, the show’s traditional home.
David wrapped up warm in a navy blue padded jacket, but his trademark uniform of a brown knitted sweater vest was seen peeping out underneath.
Back at work: David Jason threw himself into filming as he reprised his role as Granville for Still Open All Hours
Showcasing his acting skills, the star showcased a range of facial expressions as the duo chatted animatedly on the street.
In one short, the Only Fools and Horses legend looked rather disgruntled, while in another he appeared bemused.
While an additional shot sees the star listen intently as the officer charts while gesturing with his hands.
While it is unclear what the pair’s activity entailed, viewers will no doubt be tickled as the long-running BBC show prepares to return to screens later this year.
New scenes: The actor, 78, was pictured chatting to a police officer as he shot scenes for the much loved comedy on Lister Avenue in Doncaster, the show’s traditional home
The revived comedy – which originally ran from 1973 to 1985 as Open All Hours, returned the historic grocer’s shop to British screens on Boxing Day 2013 after an almost 30 year absence.
The original Christmas special was the most-watched show of the day.
Many viewers felt that the show’s revival in 2014 was a fitting tribute to the late star of the series, Ronnie Barker, who died of heart failure in 2005 aged 76.
By the time of Still Open All Hours, Ronnie’s character Arkwright has long died and Granville has inherited the shop as promised by Arkwright, and has a son, Leroy.
In deep conversation: David wrapped up warm in a navy blue padded jacket, but his trademark uniform of a brown knitted sweater vest was seen peeping out underneath
Despite their radically different personalities and views on life, however, Granville has become a toned-down version of his late uncle in his old age, such as light-heartedly mocking Leroy over his mother’s identity, and attempting to make money out of every customer who walks into the shop – even by telling fibs about certain items such as anchovy paste.
Speaking last year about the upcoming series, David said: ‘It always gives me great pleasure to look forward to working with such a wonderful and talented cast and crew, kick-started by the creation of such a surreal and silly world courtesy of Roy Clarke.
‘I am delighted that we will start filming again next year as I know we will all have fun recording each episode and that the viewers get the chance to enjoy the fun on their screens.’
An honour: ‘It always gives me great pleasure to look forward to working with such a wonderful and talented cast and crew’
While BBC Commissioning Editor, Gregor Sharp added: ‘There are few shows which can claim to be one of UK comedy’s crown jewels but Still Open All Hours comfortably falls into that bracket with its glittering cast and amazing heritage and we can’t wait to kneel before the new series.’
David previously revealed retiring doesn’t occur to him. He told The Mirror in 2017: ‘People ask me if I am thinking of retiring. Well it doesn’t occur to me. Different day, different challenge, different way. Lovely jubbly.’
The series also stars James Baxter, Stephanie Cole, Maggie Ollerenshaw, Tim Healy, Johnny Vegas, Kulvinder Ghir and Sally Lindsay.
Still going: ‘People ask me if I am thinking of retiring. Well it doesn’t occur to me. Different day, different challenge, different way. Lovely jubbly’
