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John Sullivan on Rock & Chips

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David Thair | 18:00 UK time, Monday, 18 January 2010

Creator John Sullivan writes...

Rock & Chips is advertised as the prequel to Only Fools and Horses, but it's much more than just a prequel. It's an opportunity to solve many mysteries, bury some lies and put a few ghosts to rest.

The first episode of OFAH ("Big Brother") was transmitted on 8th September, 1981 and within the first two minutes Del had evoked their late mother's memory to disarm Rodney. And captured there, in that little living room on the 12th floor of Nelson Mandela House, was the heart of the whole series which, although I wasn't to know at the time, was set to run for the next 22 years.

Del, Rodney and Grandad, representing the three ages of man, lived there in a state of almost-happy guerilla warfare and yet the most important person in the flat was never, ever seen; it was the spirit of Del's (and Rodney's) beloved mother Joan who had passed away 17 years before, and throughout the run of the series Del constantly referred to her and past events within the Trotter Family.

Ted, Clayton and Reg
Ted (aka Granddad), Clayton and Reg

But much of his historical information was at best contradictory, and at worse outright lies. We were left with a situation where the only person who really knew what had happened was an unreliable witness, so I decided to return to those misty days of 1960 to meet all those characters we'd only ever heard about: Joan's husband (and Del's father) Reg Trotter. Was he really as horrible as Del always described him? The younger Grandad, what was he like back then? And what part did the villain Freddy Robdal play in the Trotters' lives?

 Boycie, Denzil, Trigger, and Jumbo Mills
Boycie, Del, Denzil, Trigger and Jumbo Mills

We also get the chance to meet the teenage Del Boy, Boycie, Trigger, Denzil, Jumbo Mills, the already snidey Roy Slater, and Del's "bestest" friend, Albie Littlewood. It was round about 1960 that the teenagers of Great Britain invented sex and Del and the gang are enthusiastic supporters of this wonderful innovation - they see it as the future - and try to introduce every girl in the area to the new fashion.

This back-story to the Trotter saga and all its ghosts has been locked away somewhere in my mind for the last couple of decades and I thought it was about time I released them all and gave them their time in the sun. So on Sunday 24th January at 9pm on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One I hope you'll join them in 1960 and embark on a 50 year journey back to the truth.


More Rock and Chips

Behind the Scenes: When Joan met Freddie

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Comments

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  • Comment number 1.

    Why does ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ insist on spending the hard earned money of it's viewers on re-cycled comedy?

    How about encouraging more new writing and shows, rather than keep paying for the same old tired writers who should have been put out to pasture years ago. Only Fools and Horses was funny once upon a time in the early 80's.

    ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ bosses wake up it is now 2010!

  • Comment number 2.

    Perhaps Mr / Ms fan of good comedy, folk just enjoy what John Sullivan continues to produce.

    Sometimes the old ones are the good ones. Look around you. As a society we are making a total mess of everything we touch by doing things new. Perhaps if we took a step back and reverted to old values we may make this world a better place.

    If that means enjoying once again, the delights of OFAH, then it gets my vote every time. And whats more, we can always catch it on the superb UK Gold too

  • Comment number 3.

    Nicely put filcefamily, and to be quite honest how can the OP be a fan of something that barely exists nowadays.

  • Comment number 4.

    I am a big fan of OFAH though "Sleepless in Peckham" was a hit and miss special, however the fact the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have commissioned this show is because people enjoy John Sullivan's writing and the characters he created.

    And giving his fans a chance to see the origins of his creations is creating something original but is rooted in familiarity which is what audiences like.

  • Comment number 5.

    I thought it was great. Time for another series of OFAH, maybe?

  • Comment number 6.

    I have to say when i first read about this project i was of the opinion that it would never live up to its billing, as most follow ons or prequels rarely seem to work, I am glad to say that the write has not failed in bringing to the screen a really good set of actors, scripts, and mood to a great episode that will hopfully be the first of many. It show that John has lost none of his creative skills that makes him one of the Uks great telivision writers

  • Comment number 7.

    it was a good episode!
    however i hope they make a few more OFAH where del boy and rodders are old and bring david jason into it as he is a class act!
    everyone loves it why not bring it back i mean some of the stuff on tv nowadays is poor
    So please ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and John Sullivan make a few more episodes :)

  • Comment number 8.

    Just watched Rock & chips, have seen all the only fools loads of times. I think rock and chips would make a great series, showing how del and baby rodders grow up. Go on Mr sullivan get your pen out again :)

  • Comment number 9.

    Rock and chips was fantastic, let's hope they make a Series really soon.

  • Comment number 10.

    thank you thank you thank you worth the licence fee on its own!! i really hope that this is not a one of and we get to see the trotters early days.

  • Comment number 11.

    Really well done. Nic Lyndhurst was superb in the role!!!

  • Comment number 12.

    Like finding the missing piece of a jigsaw. Very good!

  • Comment number 13.

    WOW JUST WATCHED ROCK N CHIPS!! ALL I CAN SAY IS GIVE US A SERIES!!!!!
    WAS BRILLIANT AND WAT A SUPRISE EH DEL N ROD NOT BIOLIGICAL BROS. I REALLY ENJOYED IT. AND THE GUY WHO PLAYED TRIGGER DID HIS MANARIZIMS 2 A TEA LOL.
    A HUGE THUMBS UP GUYS!!!!! PLZ PLZ PLZ DO A SERIES XXX
    SUZANNE FORD ST HELENS

  • Comment number 14.

    Just finished watching Rock and Chips over the pond here in Ireland...Must say Himself and I Loved it .
    Though i have to admit i was a little dissapointed on discovering it was only a special..Surely a series must follow. Thought Nicholas Lyndhurst and Kellie Bright were outstanding.Just sorry that it wont be on my TV every Sunday Night..Well Done to all.

  • Comment number 15.

    10 out of 10 - really enjoyed the programe - amazing how it was a prequel but still stood the test of time. Thought young del was very belivable. Worth the license payers fee alone!!

  • Comment number 16.

    will there be another one?

  • Comment number 17.

    BRILLIANT. I really enjoyed this and would rate it above all the sequels. It rewarded die hard fans with subtle references and kept obvious gags to a minimum so that they were more appreciated when they were used. I would love to see more of this and I think the acting was superb. Well done, love it.

  • Comment number 18.

    me and my husband have just watched the first showing of rocks n chips n we really enjoyed it. it was good to relate to the characters as we are fans of only fools and horses.

  • Comment number 19.

    John Sullivan has done it again with style. What is so great about this programme it that it reminds us all that we are shaped by the richness of our upbringings and backgrounds. More than that, though, after years of watching OFAH, seeing Rock and Chips seemed like travelling back into one's own family, and reminiscing.
    I enjoyed every second of it.
    Can we go back another generation, please John?

  • Comment number 20.

    Just fininshed watching Rock & Chips, i loved every aspect of this, from the idea to the script to the actors.To all involved in the making of this i salute you all.

    'marge tu marge tu' John Sullivan, you my friend are a genius.

  • Comment number 21.

    Simply stunning and sublime !

  • Comment number 22.

    I have a query about Rock and Chips. Reg Trotter believes he is the father of Rodney and, when discussing how the pregnancy occurred, Joan suggested a Millwall win and then, there not having been a Millwall win, a good Millwall corner or throw-in. But am I right in thinking that Rodney was actually called Rodney Charlton Trotter? Would Reg have been happy with that??

  • Comment number 23.

    Rock & chips was fantastic I only hope John Sullivan turns this one off in to a series as its got legs. I see that one comment says that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is spending hard earned cash on recycled comedy. This person needs to get a life as Only Fools & Horses was the best thing on tv and its only natural to show the public the eary life of Del. Nick Lyndhurst was well cast for his role & Kellie Bright was simply the best. The commen t made I feel also trashed John sullivan.John ignore the negatives from small minded peaple.
    Regards
    Jollie

  • Comment number 24.

    Beautifully written and filmed with excellent attention to historical detail. Pity there's only one programme but I can understand why now that the questions have been answered.

  • Comment number 25.

    this was amazing!! simple! tied up all the characters in perfect order...
    we must have episode 2-3-4 etc and bring it up to the start of Only Fools... so watchable and fun to all fans of the original series. Anyone that says this was no good is not a Trotter FAN! Full Stop.. many thanks to Sullivan for making this and no thanks to him if he does not do any more!!!!!!

  • Comment number 26.

    I thoroughly enjoyed Rock and Chips! Well done to all those involved. I loved the subtle references back to the old series, like Slater being made to walk the plank and being able to put a face to characters like Albie Littlewood and seeing Reenie in her younger days.

    Brilliant show and would love to see one with Del and Rodney growing up together!

  • Comment number 27.

    let's hope thay make more of rock and chip's loved it

  • Comment number 28.

    i am a big fan of ofah and i really enjoyed rock and chips it was a brilliant show john sullivan is an excellent writer the whole cast really worked it was well written looking forward to seeing some more!!!!

  • Comment number 29.

    john sullivan delivers yet again perfectly written and acted he really does his job well down to a fine art i beg you please release the music to this wow john has a great taste in music

  • Comment number 30.

    Well done John Sullivan.
    Great to see that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ can still produce a great comedy programme.
    Keep it going, and I believe my TV license money is being used on a good new prequel to ofah!!!!!
    Carry on John.

  • Comment number 31.

    just watched rock and chips and thought was brilliant
    watched with open mind and was blown away
    nicholas lynshurst was brilliant as was kelly bright
    hope bbc and mr sullivan write a few more
    conrats excellent best tv in yrs

  • Comment number 32.

    Amazing! I began watching with little hope it would be any good. How wrong could I be! 1 1/2 hours passed so quickly! Fantastic research, brilliant actors (Nicholas Lyndhurst superb in a totally differnet character than I'm used to) and what's more unexpected - it was hilarious (and tender and moving by turns)! I was really sad when it ended.

  • Comment number 33.

    I thought it was absolutely brilliant!! Would love to see it made into a series.

  • Comment number 34.

    Thank you Mr Sullivan.I grew up in Hackney all around the time you have written about.Tonights episode touched raw events in my life and I would like to thank you for tugging on heart strings one minute and have me roaring with laughter the next. My father passed away two years ago this Wednesday and was a great fan of your 'DEL BOY'..we even had his hurse led by the original three wheeler car..corny i know but Dad was a herbert from the times of 'backs of lorries' and a 'fiddle' here and there.He even made the Sunday People with a headline that could have been used in one of your programmes...ONLY FOOLS AND HEARSES.

  • Comment number 35.

    After just watching rock and chips I would like to thank the bbc and especially mr John Sullivan for another great piece of television.
    As a long time ofah fan I was looking forward to this "prequel" and have to say I was not dissapointed,great writing and great casting.
    Well done mr sullivan you are a genius.

  • Comment number 36.

    I am a massive OFAH fan but Rock and CHips was a letdown in my opinion. Nicholas Lyndhurst was the least believable gangster I have ever seen!

  • Comment number 37.

    Please more Rock and Chips, excellent,10 out of 10. Nick Lyndhurst was great as was the rest of the cast..
    Please ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and John Sullivan lets have more of Rock and Chips!!
    Please ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ also a special episode return for GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART...

  • Comment number 38.

    OFAH is like one of the family. My french girlfriend loves OFAH & she loved Rock & Chips as did i. You've giving us something new but familiar. PLEASE make it into a series.

  • Comment number 39.

    just watched rock & chips iv'e been a fan of only fools & horses for years and it didn't disappoint,in my opinion this could be as good as the original watching all the old names come alive was brilliant got it copied to watch again well done.

  • Comment number 40.

    ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, don't miss out on a great comedy concept from the best tv comedy writer of all time!!!.... Yeah ..........you John sullivan

  • Comment number 41.

    I thought it was brilliant, have always loved Only Fools, I want a 2nd episode of Rock and Chips, what happened to Del and Rods Mum? Did she die, I want to see how it all ends and Del has to bring up his little bruv, please bbc make a 2nd one! Bravo

  • Comment number 42.

    Born twelve years apart, that age gap has proved to be a wide chasm more than once as the brothers attempted to carve out their own lives, but really knowing that they needed each other more than they'd like to admit.

    To the 16-year-old Del Boy, the task of looking after a four-year-old brother following the death of their mother Joan and the desertion by the father Reg, must have seemed daunting to say the least

    The above is taken from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ OFAH website, so how comw Del is 16 in Rock and Chips before Jaon Trotter and Freddie the Frog meet?
    Any comments Mr Sullivan?

  • Comment number 43.

    What a fantastic show. I was in floods of tears at the end.
    Well done to John Sullivan.
    It would be good to carry on the series until we get to 'Only Fools'.

  • Comment number 44.

    Fantastic !!!

    Hope this becomes a series.

    There is so much that can be done, the same magic of comedy and tragedy that made the original special. We could see the characters develop and see Dell especially cope with his Father and with mothers death and all the while providing for the family in the only way he knows how.

  • Comment number 45.

    Absolutely Brilliant! I was so disappointed when it finished, I wanted it to go & on. Mr Sullivan, you MUST do a series or at least some follow ons to this. Freddies death, his "burial at sea" etc etc. Del & Rodders as they grow up. We are all part of the Trotters, we've lived their lives together.... we're extended family! We want more.... Pleaseeeee.......

  • Comment number 46.

    After watching Rock & Chips my only hope is that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ commission this as a series which I am sure would be as popular as OFAH and run for just as long.

  • Comment number 47.

    Was different to what i expected. Still exellent writing though well done John Sullivan good to see you still have what it takes.
    Much better than green grass.
    ask rodney which he preferes rock and chips or green grass Rodney replied " Ive never smoked rock or chips " . " But they do taste good after smoking Green Grass ".
    I thought dellboy wasn't the best choice of actors for the part though Albie littlewood actor would have made a better dellboy.
    Phill Daniels was a surprise but i thought he suited the part, and Trigger was spot on.
    Favourite bit was the MING - MING* situation had me in stitches.
    Hope they make this into a series if not then the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ should give up most of their stuff nowadys is substandard.
    This is the best thing theve done since only fools and im still waiting for Roger Roger to be aird again but probably won't be, shame as it is one of the best things John Sullivan has written.

  • Comment number 48.

    I'M 17 AND I'M CRYING OUT FOR MORE ROCK AND CHIPS OR OFAH! I'M A MASSIVE FAN NOW OF BOTH! SOOOOOO GLAD IT WASN'T A LET DOWN AT ALL I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT! THANKS EVER SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU! KEEP THEM COMING! ONE DAY I'D LOVE A "ROCK AND CHIPS" BOX SET TO GO WITH OFAH!!! PLLLLLLEEAASSEEE!

  • Comment number 49.

    Well done John - You really nailed that! Brilliant effort from everyone involved.

    The 90mins went by so quickly and has really left me wanting more. I hope this now leads to a couple of series at least. Surely we have to have an episode showing Del and Jumbo opening up their fish stall 'Eels on Wheels', or an early run-in with the Driscol brothers! I really think there is scope for several further episodes.

    Also, I've been racking my brains as to where I remember Clayton from and I now remember it’s from 'Danger UXD' when Del and Rodney bump into him in the car park scene with the blow up dolls!



  • Comment number 50.

    Personaly i think it was alright, the storyline was good. But i think they should just leave only fools and horses as it was, because in the old one they leave a hole from where you done see there mum and now they have fild the hole and its just ruined it for me.

  • Comment number 51.

    Congratulations on the best programme I have watched for a very long while - I haven't been watching so much TV lately but this was excellent! Please, please can we have some more.

  • Comment number 52.

    John, you've done it again. Good story, funny and touching. And what a great sound track. Sam Cooke, Ben E King, Jimmy Jones and Fats Domino. My life in music. Those newspaper critics must be so annoyed.
    Well worth the wait.

  • Comment number 53.

    I was born down the road from Peckham, at the Borough, in 56, and this was spot on. Nicholas Lyndhurst as a villan was excellent. This is such a beleivable re-creation of the era, even the cinema manager perv actually existed. This should be made into a series. Although it was short on laughs, it was rich in storyline and emotion. Many young men in those days became the main bread winner. Excellent television.
    Well worth the licence fee.

    Thanks ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

  • Comment number 54.

    Absolutely brilliant, please, please can we have some more Rock and Chips, the best programme I have watched for a very long time, congratulations to the writer and actors/actresses and everybody involved with this production, you have got 150% right!!!!

    Arianne

  • Comment number 55.

    Absolutely brilliant, a refreshing comedy. Captured the essence of the early 1960's. Gripping for every second. I sincerely hope this gets made into a series, it was wonderful to see and added dimensions to the characters. More please,

  • Comment number 56.

    Just watched rock and chips and after being a tad sceptical about it i have to say it was brilliant.
    The cast was cleverly chosen and extremely well acted,and really was an absolute joy to see del boy as a lad with denzil,trigger boycie, and the others, and what joy to see nicholas as freddie but the entire cast was great.
    I lost interest in television ages ago and don't watch that much at all, in my opinion there is nothing much worth watching these days but this special was solid gold and the best thing i've seen since ofah finished!
    Well done john, your writing was superb and i only hope that if there can't be more ofah (although i hope there will be) then i hope that there will be more of rock and chips!
    Thank you for making me very happy, Oh and the instant coffee gag....... Priceless!
    Thank you.

  • Comment number 57.

    This was brilliant...much better than I anticipated. Great writing and the casting was perfect. It would make a great series seeing how Del and Rodney grew up.

    Also, what about a cd of all the fantastic old songs used in the programme ???

  • Comment number 58.

    Forget your Johnathan Ross ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. More Rock and Chips for me please. TV WELL WORTH WATCHING.

  • Comment number 59.

    I, like all big ofah fans, regard myself as one of the biggest fans ever. Like any major historical moment in time....I remember where i was and who I was with when I saw my 1st ofah!!!!
    I watched tonight expecting this to be a large disapointment, an anticlimax. The complete opposite!!!! This was what all fans were waiting for!!! After the specials in the 90's we all thought that it was all over, but with the quality of this tonight, I think we have the potential to put a series together that can give the 20 million fans that it had in it's peak, another reason to love only fools and horses all over again!!! Bring it on!!!

  • Comment number 60.

    i am a big fan of ofah and i really enjoyed rock and chips it was brilliant would love to see more showings of this programme with out a doubt

  • Comment number 61.

    i thought it was great programme, lots of history details that cross ref with OFAH perfectly, i thought dels mum Joan played a blinder, also Roy Slater was 100% as i would picture him as a kid. i really like Boyce as well. would love to see a whole new series of rock and chips with a great 1 liner comedy and the hidden twist storyline that john sullivan is famous for

  • Comment number 62.

    hi i liked this.it was good.ok its not the same as del and rodey.but who cares.it was good.its about time they got only fool and horse back?they can be about del and rod.and the rest of the cast.20 years on.call it only fools and grandads.it could be about there kids that they had.and del ron ,and the rest of the cast take a back seat.and the kids being the main people in it.just an idear ?

  • Comment number 63.

    This was great, please can we have some more. Come on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ we want more

  • Comment number 64.

    bbc make more this.this is what we pay the tv l for.there are only 3 bbc programs i like topgear,eastenders.,doctor who,and only fools.and thats all we get for are money.the rest that you put on is rubbish.lets have something funny back,come on.?

  • Comment number 65.

    As a big Only Fools fan, I sat down nervously to watch 'Rock & Chips' hoping desperately that it wasn't another 'Green, Green Grass or even 'Sleepless in Peckham'.

    From the first couple of minutes I knew this was something special, it was like revisiting an old friend. Just having Del-Boy & Grandad on the screen, cast superbly was a joy.

    I'm not going to harp-on about how good it was but I just plead with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to make a series. This is the first time I have ever written on a blog as I feel so strongly about this. I have been dissapointed with how my licence fee has been wasted for years. Last night for an hour and a half I forgave you! Don't waste money replacing Wossie, Please more Rock & Chips and soon.

  • Comment number 66.

    Thanks for putting a smile back on my face.....FANTASTIC.......I was lost in memories watching this great piece of T.V. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ....please can we have more of Rock and Chips..... it's time to put some laughter back into our lives.
    Well done to John O'Sullivan and the cast - loved it!!

  • Comment number 67.

    really enjoyed 'rock and chips'! nice to see nick lyndhurst playing a meatier character. the 'johnny ray' scene was a classic!
    and delboy's mum was a stunner!

  • Comment number 68.

    I loved Rock and Chips. I was quite emotional at the end for two reasons. First, because it was like meeting old friends and discovering bits I never knew about them. It put the peices of the jigsaw together perfectly. Second, the possibility the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ won't commission another series. What a waste of an opportunity that would be.

    I loved Rock and Chips, and I felt that a lot of attention was paid to detail. Even down to Denzel's much more broad scouse accent due to him being new to the area.

    The character Joan was nothing like I imagined, and I was pleasantly surprised. I expected her to be tarty, a bit like Lilo Lil in Bread, but in reality her character was quite a tragic one. Getting to know Joan was in itself quite emotional.

    Nicholas Lindhurst had a great opportunity to act seriously, and he acted it well. I believed his character Freddie The Frog, and it really surprised me that it worked so well. It was inevitable a bit of Rodney was going to come out occassionally, but far less than I would have expected. The character also surprised me because I expected a clumsy, somewhat dumb theif, and nothing of the very clever, at times dark, but likeable character we got to know in Rock and Chips.

    John Sulivan is a superb writer. There is no doubt about that. He demonstrated perfectly the difference between opinion, reputation and reality. We only knew about the old characters by reputation and opinion only, told by few characters that retold their story through out the series of Only Fools. The reality was different and it was comforting in a strange way. We saw teasers of comedy in this drama, but it wasn't over the top. In a sense it was important that this was a fairly serious drama, with just a sprinkling of comedy genious as shown in Only Fools.

    I loved it. My husband is a big fan of Only Fools and for years he wanted to see Del Boy come back the screens. He had reservations about Rock and Chips but he enjoyed it as well.

    Well done John Sullivan, and can we have some more please????

  • Comment number 69.

    ive watched it twice now and its brilliant
    makes paying the tv liscense bit more easier hoping
    theres gna be more episodes.
    think theres room for a few more episodes so please bbc
    do the right thing.

    mr john sullivan thanx for 90 mins of great entertainment havnt ejoyed any programme on the bbc since life on mars.
    ps please when are we gna get just good friends series 3 on dvd??

  • Comment number 70.

    I am a huge fan of only fools and horses and think John Sullivan's wrighting is brilliant !! When I found out about Rock and Chips I did'nt want to watch it as thought it would spoil the whole credibility of O.F.A.H.
    Curiosity got the beter of me and I watched it.It was absolutely fantastic.Everything fell into place with ease and made sense, simply John Sullivan at his very best !
    The way it ended with the birth of Rodney surely opens the door for many more episodes of Rock n Chips.
    Come on John get wrighting....

  • Comment number 71.

    Kellie Bright and Nicholas Lyndhurst were fantastic. I thought they had such chemistry and I felt really convinced that they had feelings for each other. It felt like a genuine love story. Rodney and Freddie are by far Nicholas Lyndhurst best roles ever. Just enough balance of comedy, drama and sentiment. The rest of the cast were great too including "Del Boy". I love the way he stuck up for his mum when his dad threatened her.

  • Comment number 72.

    Since seeing this advertised last week could not wait for it to start.It was brilliant to be able to see some of the characters we had only heard about in OFAH come to life.As with all of Johns work the script & cast were fantastic & it must lead into some more episodes in the future?
    Its a great shame that my friend also known as Dell Boy who sadly is no longer with us was not hear to watch it as he told me several years ago that he had heard that John was thinking of writting this & he would have loved it too.
    Excellent work once again from John & the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

  • Comment number 73.

    WELL DONE JOHN SULLIVAN!!!

    Rock and chips was excellent. The characters were very notice able by there charactericts to a tea. The cast was brilliant along with the storyline. I am a massive only fools fan and everything adds up and helped finally see what Joan looks like and some of the past expierences. I would love to see a series come of this, like how Freddy the Frog sat on detinator. Well please keep them coming.

  • Comment number 74.

    i thought that the Rock and Chips was brilliant they defenatly succeded with this i agree the sleepless in peckham was rubbish. but the only problem was that they missed out on a few things such as freddie the frog sitting on a detinator and allby littlewood running across the train track because Allby littlewood towards the end was acting quite sad. i reckon they will do another one. but great so far.

  • Comment number 75.

    very good - cannot beat the old programme -only fools and horses!

    well done for bringing back delboy's old memories!

  • Comment number 76.

    cool - when's the next episode?

  • Comment number 77.

    This was a poignant drama and very well scripted, although there was one chronological inconsistency with the TV series. The school reunion episode was titled "Class of '62", but Rock and Chips was set in 1960. Would that mean there was a sixth form at Dockside Secondary Modern to make the dates fit ?

    Note also that the block of flats where the Trotters moved into was the 'New World Estate'.

    It would also have been nice to have a scene at the Nag's Head where the regulars wet Rodney's head. Trigger should come in late, and one of the gang wind him up about Rodney being called Dave !

  • Comment number 78.

    Did most of these people watch the same program as me?
    (where was the comedy?)
    I expected a lot more and got a lot less.
    If the charactors had been given different names and I was asked which program it was a prequal to, I dont think I would have guessed

  • Comment number 79.

    What a fantastic one off special. Ever since the Frogs Legacy was broadcast 23 years ago the question has always remained...and now we know!!
    I watched this on its own merits and not as Only Fools so that it wouldn't prejudice my opinions and i have to sat that once again John Sullivan has demonstrated his uniques talent for bringing characters to life.
    I grew up with the Trotters and now i know where they came from. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant...Thank you

  • Comment number 80.

    What a huge disappointment that Rock and Chips isn't going to be series. I thought it was fantastic and loved every minute of it.

  • Comment number 81.

    i though this was great last night particulary nicholas lyndhurst as freddie the frog, just one thing spoilt it for me, and that was the woeful accent of denzil, truly awful, were there no liverpool actors available? would love a series of rock and chips.

  • Comment number 82.

    Watched Rock and Chips last night expecting it to not live up to OFAH. Loved it, hope they plan to make a series of it as I can see it will only get better as did OFAH. A new series of OFAH IMO would be foolish as its been done for years and although fantastic it would be nice to have something new along the lines of OFAH and it would seem that Rock & Chips is it. Remember all of the stories that Del, Rodney, Trigger, Boycie etc used to reminice about. So much material. BTW did anyone notice how much Joan Trotter actress Kellie Bright looks like Diana Coupland (Mother in Bless This House)

  • Comment number 83.

    What a great show, please John write some more and bring us up to date. This will make a great series just like Del boy Only fools and horses, please please please i`m sure thousands will agree with me. thanks again for a great show.

  • Comment number 84.

    John flipping bril!!!! i am realy lost for words ive just watched rock and chips again on i player i do hope a series is coming many thanks ian

  • Comment number 85.

    Having just finished watched 'Rock & Chips' on iPlayer..
    I can only say what a very moving portrayal of life in Peckham (and Britain), during the early Sixties. If you were woking class that is. lol
    As a young lad of seventeen living in Bournemouth Dorset in 1960, it conjured up vivid, and emotional memories.
    Both the setting, and mood created could only be described as brilliant (if my memory serves), of those days. lol
    Now, finally I have to praise the wonderful cast. They were the 'Icing on the cake'. Giving a perfect blend of realism to an exceptionally warm, moving story of the Sixties.
    OK, If I've got to single out one actor.. it has to be Kellie, (reminds me so much of those hard working mums) my own! ;-) You captured the character absolutely spot on.
    Thank you Kellie.
    Giving ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Comedy/Drama a shot in the arm. This is after all what was so good about OFAH. Although just/only a comedy.. A true sense of belief in, and empathy with each of the characters. You were able to connect with them.
    A big thank you to all involved in the production!!

  • Comment number 86.

    There was only one mistake, Reg's football team was Charlton Athletic not Millwall. Rodney's middle name is Charlton, if you remember the wedding episode

  • Comment number 87.

    Loved it. The music was spot on - took me straight back to 1960 - the clothes, the household goods and furniture etc, the mood and atmosphere; all excellently observed.

    BUT... I don't think it should be made into a series. Like Gavin and Stacey - it tidied up loose ends and left, most, viewers satisfied.

  • Comment number 88.

    My family and I absolutely LOVED last nights episode of Rock and Chips. You're a genius Mr Sullivan, please, please, please write some more!!! It was brilliant. At last, something worthwhile watching.

  • Comment number 89.

    I thought Rock and Chips was wonderful,everything fell into place perfectly,the acting was brill.i felt i was in the sixties and would have easily fallen for freddie the frog just like the trotters beloved mum,wonnderful,more please!

  • Comment number 90.

    I thought this show was brilliant. Great acting and storyline, everything about it was excellent, well done!

  • Comment number 91.

    Enjoyed Rock & Chips and the detail it added to some familiar characters. Can someone help me make some dates and ages fit? In OFAH Del and Rodney are 12 years apart in age but there was a bigger age gap in R&C. In OFAH Rodney was born in early 1960?,in R&C late 1960. Yesterday I also watched the episode of OFAH where Rodney wins a holiday because Del has entered him in an under 15's competition. Del alters Rodney's date of birth to 1974 in his passport to make Rodney appear to be 14 years old when he is really 26. How can Rodney be 26 in 1988 if he was born in 1960?

  • Comment number 92.

    Really enjoyed the programme, why can't we have more of the same. It was just like the late fifties and early sixties and bought back lots of memories of those times. Please ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ more, more, more , this is really good comedy we need more of the same, come on John Sullivan get writing.

  • Comment number 93.

    having seen the last of the summer wine's prequel all those years ago, first of the summer wine, i was dubious about watching rock and chips. but then its john sullivan we are talking about and he's written another great programme. i especially liked the preganancy testing scene when the guy calls the regeister and tells 'em which room they go in, comedy gold! nick lyndhurst was brilliantly cast as freddie "the frog" robdal. my only slight disappointment is the casting of the young del boy. i'd have thought they'd have cast someone a bit shorter, lol.
    anyway, great work again mr. sullivan... and please put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard, and write more rock and chips. it'd be great to find out what really happened between grandad and triggers nan, maybe a young uncle albert making an appearance before joini the navy, jumbo mills make it as a millionaire,boycie meeting marlene, reg leaving home, joan to see if she really "didn't half say alot on her death bed" and of course del looking after young rodney.
    what else could be included in further rock and chips episodes?

  • Comment number 94.

    please can you do a series it was brilliant one of the all time greats and will always be remembered.what im trying to say is that you've done dle boy and rodney in there middle 20's and 30's til the present day but you havn't done them when they were little like six or twelve you've done one when del was sixteen you need to carry on its the best in the world.

    P.S. HE WHO DARES WINS

  • Comment number 95.

    BRILLIANT loved it please john sullivan make some more

  • Comment number 96.

    Great programme But a shame about the historical inaccuracies e.g., In 1964, preparations began to raise the school leaving age to 16. These were delayed in 1968, and eventually the decision was taken in 1971 that the new upper age limit be enforced from 1 September 1972 onwards? When was colour TV brought over from the USA ?

  • Comment number 97.

    Rock & Chips...... Heard great things about it and looked forward to it immensely. Unfortunately, I cannot agree with most of the posts. It was too long by about 30 minutes.
    Nicholas Lyndhurst was excellent however, as was Kellie Bright as Joan.
    James Buckley was very unconvincing as Del. I could not see how his characterisation turned into Del (aka David Jason).
    It probably will be turned into a series, which I think is a shame. OFAH should be allowed to rest and to be enjoyed as nostalgia, in the same way as Fawlty Towers, the Good Life et al.

  • Comment number 98.

    Rock and Chips the most entertaining thing the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has done in a long time . I have seen some of the comments and can only say I and 7 million other viewers can,t be wrong . It left me wanting to see more . Hope this isnt the only peak at how the story line for only Fools and Horses formulated . I would love to see more of the Trotters way back when ,as I am sure alot of other viewers would like to see also .
    Dont get me wrong I like some of the new comedy ,but there are very few good british comedys on these days and far too much gloom, doom, quiz,reality and competition programmes - bring back good British Comedy !!

  • Comment number 99.

    Only Fools & Horses is and will always be the finest sitcom ever made. I was a little sceptical about rock and chips when i first heard about it. After watching it, surely to any proper OFAH fan will have loved it. It was so much more than the green green grass etc. The critics obviously dont no the whole OFAH story and how everthing ties in. I only hope that a series is made for this.

  • Comment number 100.

    Wonderful prequel. Well done to all that contributed. Very brave to cast Nicholas Lyndhurst as Dad.Mum was very pretty.

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