AN ACADEMY Award-winning actor has revealed that he was in the running to play beloved Only Fools and Horse character Del Boy before star David Jason. 

However, they had to turn down the part of wheeler dealer Derek Trotter due to a scheduling conflict. 

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It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Sir David Jason, 84, play the iconic character of Derek “Del Boy” Trotter - but Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent, 75, revealed that he was offered the part before him.

During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Jim revealed that he and one other actor were actually the front-runner for the role, but they both had to turn it down. 

“Originally, I was the second choice for Del Boy,” Jim revealed.

He continued: “The first choice was Enn Reitel, but he didn’t fancy it and I couldn’t do it because I was doing a show in the West End.”

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Enn, 71, is a Scottish actor who is best known for specialising in voice work. His voice-overs are recognised by many for appearing in video games, movies and TV shows.

Due to the scheduling conflict, Jim had to turn down the part, but everything worked out for the best.

“Luckily, David Jason was available, so my biggest contribution to British culture is not being available!” he added.

Despite passing on the role as Del Boy, Jim later bagged another role in the popular series.

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The Harry Potter star instead played the recurring character Roy Slater.

And the role has touched generations of viewers.

“It’s Only Fools and Horses more than anything else and it goes across the generations – kids who weren’t even alive when we made it say Slater is their favourite,” he said.

Although not as iconic as Del Boy, his character is definitely a memorable one to many. You might recognise him best for appearing in episodes such as May the Force Be With You, To Hull and Back and The Class of 62.

This revelation about Jim’s almost roles comes after the news that A-lister Elizabeth Hurley was once in the running for the part of Cassandra Parry, but she was ultimately turned down because she was “too glamorous.”

Jim’s career would have been very different had he landed the lead in Only Fools and Horses - and he may not have gone on to star in 2002's Iris, for which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Only Fools and Horses' most memorable episodes

The beloved sitcom only aired for seven series but is still adored to this date - here are fans' most memorable scenes from the BBC hit...

1. Jolly Boys' Outing - The humorous episode was filled with disaster and also romance. It saw Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad leave Peckham for a day trip to Margate. However, their coach explodes, Rodney is arrested and Del Boy reunites with Raquel.
2. Time on their Hands - The episode sees the Trotters reflect on their life in South London after finally becoming millionaires. Airing in 1996, it pulled in an incredible 24million viewers.
3. A Touch of Glass - This unforgettable episode sees Del Boy and his chandelier cleaning service. In hilarious scenes, he and Rodney accidentally drop a chandelier, sending it crashing to the floor.
4. Stage Fright - Raquel performs with Tony Angelino while pregnant to perform a duet - but she's unaware he has a speech impediment.
5. Yuppy Love - Derek attempts to transform himself into a high-flyer, wearing a stripped shirt and red braces. It also sees Del fall through the bar, while Rodney meets Cassandra for the first time.
6. Mother Nature's Son - Del Boy inherits an allotment from his grandad, but it's contaminated by a yellow substance. The Peckham Spring Water business is then born - but it's actually just tap water from Nelson Mandela House.
7. Heroes and Villains - Del Boy and Rodney dress up as Batman and Robin for Harry Malcolm's party. However, Boycie forgot to mention Harry died, and it had become a wake!
8. To Hull and Back - Del Boy is convinced to smuggle diamonds from The Netherlands. PC Roy Slater intercepts them before he's later arrested for corruption. It ends with Del throwing his £15k over the balcony thinking it was fake - when it was in fact real!
9. The Russians are Coming - The threat of nuclear war looms over Peckham so the Trotters decide to batten down the hatches. They build a DIY war shelter - on the top of Mandela House.
10. The Unlucky Winner Is - Rodney wins a holiday abroad after Del Boy entered him into a painting competition. However, when he lands in Spain Rodney discovers it's a prize for children and must pretend he's a 14-year-old child.

Sir David has enjoyed a successful career after he was cast in the series, too.

However, the Del Boy actor has recently opened up about the role as he feels it overshadows every other part he plays. 

“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 everyone seems to have forgotten about, and it’s only [as if] I’ve ever played Derek Trotter,” he said.

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