The Telegraph, 06 March 2005
David Jason, the star of Only Fools and Horses, criticised the BBC yesterday for screening too many repeats of the show that made him a household name.
The 65-year-old called on broadcasters to spend less money on reality shows, saying viewers should not be vegetating in front of their televisions.
Jason, who made his debut as Del Boy in 1981, said: "If I were in charge, I would not allow Only Fools and Horses to be repeated so often.
"I was very proud of the time I spent on the show but it's time to move on.
"That's the element of cheap TV."
The A Touch of Frost star, who was promoting his new ITV comedy drama Diamond Geezer, said: "British TV is too safe and too cheap these days.
"We should paint on as large a canvas as we can."
Jason's comments came after the Government ordered the corporation to show fewer repeats and cut down on copycat programming.
"We've got to be careful not to dumb down for the audience," he said.
"They shouldn't be sitting at home on the sofa vegetating."