"Only Fools and Horses": No. 2 (Radio Collection) CD

The 80s yielded few more memorable comic characters than Derek "Del Boy" Trotter, the obstinately proud salesman of goods of dodgy quality and even dodgier legality. Humiliating his dopey brother, whining grandfather and leech-like uncle, he insisted that "this time next year we'll be millionaires". What made Only Fools and Horses so appealing was the very real affection that writer John Sullivan felt for all these characters and, with stories that were often as moving as they were hilarious, the show was both a celebration and critique of Thatcherite Britain.Much of the first five series is on video, but for those who feel embarrassed travelling with a TV and video recorder on their lap, their scripts now exist in this more portable volume. Without visuals and vocals, they may not make many converts, but highlights abound, such as Rodney's date with a policewoman and a slasher movie send-up, and the book ends with the moving episode where Del Boy turns down a job in Australia.Mildly let down by a rather meagre two-page Trotter to English dictionary, this is nevertheless a treat. "Pas de calais" as Del would say. --Stephen PortlockRead More