Only Fools & Horses
Undoubtedly, Only Fools and Horses stands as one of the greatest British sitcoms ever created. Its character-driven humour, unforgettable one-liners, and perfect balance of comedy and emotion have earned it legendary status. That said, the three follow-up specials after the Trotters became millionaires, combined with endless reruns on GOLD, have perhaps diluted its legacy slightly. Still, the brilliance of the show remains.
Trying to count how many times I’ve watched each episode is impossible. Narrowing down the 64 official episodes to a personal top 10? Even harder. But here’s my take.
Top Ten Only Fools Moments
10) The Vicar’s Hat – Strained Relations
In this emotionally charged episode following Grandad’s funeral, Del and Rodney try to honour him in their own way. Chaos unfolds when Del places the vicar’s hat into the grave thinking it’s grandad’s. A moment of irreverent slapstick amid real grief.
9) Del Hang-Gliding – Tea for Three
A love triangle between Del, Rodney, and a woman named Lisa results in a wager that sees Del literally take flight. Rodney sets him up for disaster—and Del ends up hang-gliding in a hilariously doomed attempt to impress.
8) Walking into the Sunset – Time on Our Hands
Possibly the most emotional scene in the entire series. After finally becoming millionaires, Del, Rodney, and Uncle Albert walk off together with hope in their hearts. It’s a fitting, touching send-off (until the later specials).
7) Blown-Up Coach – Jolly Boy’s Outing
A seemingly simple trip to Margate descends into chaos. A dodgy radio sold by Del ends up causing an explosion in the coach. One of the show’s most iconic slapstick set-pieces.
6) Trigger’s Broom – Heroes and Villains
Trigger proudly boasts he’s had the same broom for 20 years—despite replacing the head 17 times and the handle 14 times. A masterclass in deadpan absurdity.
5) Del Falls Through the Bar – Yuppy Love
Perhaps the most replayed moment in British comedy. Trying to act smooth in a wine bar, Del leans on what he thinks is a counter—only to vanish out of frame.
4) The Chandelier – A Touch of Glass
Del and Rodney are hired to clean a chandelier. As Del gives the signal, Grandad releases the wrong one—and the priceless antique comes crashing down. Classic miscommunication.
3) Batman & Robin – Heroes and Villains
On their way to a fancy dress party, Del and Rodney’s Batman and Robin costumes become part of a heroic misunderstanding. They accidentally foil a mugging, becoming local heroes.
2) Sex Dolls – Danger UXD
A shipment of what the Trotters believe are novelty dolls turn out to be military-grade inflatable sex dolls. Panic ensues when they start to inflate uncontrollably.
1) Cwying (Crying) – Stage Fright
Del arranges a stage performance for a singer with a speech impediment. What follows is a mix of cringe, chaos, and comedy gold as he sings “Cwying.”
Top Ten Only Fools and Horses Episodes
Here’s my list of the ten greatest episodes—mixing regular series entries with classic Christmas specials:
10. Yuppy Love (Series 6, Episode 1)
Del tries to reinvent himself as a trendy city boy and steps into the world of ‘yuppies’. The episode includes one of the most iconic comedy moments of all time—Del falling through the wine bar.
9. Dates (1988 Christmas Special)
Del signs up to a dating agency and meets Raquel, marking the start of one of the show’s most important relationships. Meanwhile, Rodney’s date turns out to be a police officer—with predictably disastrous consequences.
8. Heroes and Villains (Part 1 of the 1996 Christmas Trilogy)
Del and Rodney dress as Batman and Robin for a fancy dress party and accidentally stop a mugging. The episode also features Trigger’s legendary “broom” anecdote.
7. Time on Our Hands (Part 3 of the 1996 Christmas Trilogy)
The emotional climax to the series as the Trotters discover an old watch in their garage that turns out to be worth millions. A heartfelt, satisfying end to the journey—until the later specials reopened it.
6. Danger UXD (Series 6, Episode 2)
Del gets hold of a batch of what he believes are novelty dolls, only to discover they are military-grade sex dolls. The episode descends into chaos as they start inflating uncontrollably.
5. The Unlucky Winner Is (Series 6, Episode 4)
Rodney wins a painting holiday in Mallorca by pretending to be 14 years old. Del, of course, makes the situation even worse. One of the most cringeworthy and hilarious episodes.
4. Longest Night (Series 5, Episode 3)
Del, Rodney, and Grandad are caught up in a supermarket hold-up. But not everything is as it seems—this one has some clever twists and classic Trotter blagging.
3. Stage Fright (Series 7, Episode 3)
Del organises a musical performance with Raquel and a singer with a serious stammer. The performance of “Cwying” is one of the most unforgettable scenes in sitcom history.
2. Jolly Boy’s Outing (1989 Christmas Special)
A lads’ day out to Margate goes horribly wrong. The episode introduces Cassandra’s father and features one of the best visual gags—the coach explosion caused by one of Del’s dodgy radios.
1. Class of ’62 (Series 7, Episode 4)
Del reconnects with old school friends, leading to reflections on the past, regret, and missed opportunities. It’s an emotionally rich episode that perfectly blends comedy and depth.
Final Thoughts
Only Fools and Horses endures not just because it’s funny—but because it’s human. Whether it’s the Trotters chasing dreams, getting into scrapes, or finding love and family in all the wrong places, it remains deeply relatable.
The series gave us dozens of unforgettable moments—and these are just a handful that stand out. What are yours?