From The Mirror, 8 September 2004
DAVID Jason is to star in a major new £2million drama based on 70s prison sitcom Porridge.
He will play a Norman Fletcher-style character who is banged up in a cell with a first-time offender.
Just like "habitual criminal" Fletch - Ronnie Barker - Only Fools and Horses star Jason, 64, will befriend the youngster.
The series will spin off from feature-length film Diamond Geezer.
A source revealed Jason's character works out that the young man is his illegitimate son.
He tries to bring him in on a plot to commit the perfect crime - but his son is horrified.
The insider said: "Just like his alter ego Del Boy, Jason's character believes that he who dares wins."
ITV supremo Nick Elliott said: "David wants to do drama he doesn't see anyone else doing."
Jason, who starred alongside Barker in Open All Hours, also had a regular role in Porridge as old lag Blanco Webb.