The Only Fools and Horses actor, 85, said it has been ‘the most satisfying accomplishment’
Sir David Jason has shared how he has sadly had to make a sacrifice due to pain he experiences. The Only Fools and Horses star, 85, said in his memoir, This Time Next Year, that he had been a keen flyer since getting his helicopter pilot wings back in 2005.
The actor was often spotted cruising the clouds in his Robinson R44. But Sir David said he recently had to part ways with his chopper “with extreme reluctance,” as physical discomfort made piloting nearly unmanageable, as reported by the Express.
He wrote: “The fact is, you need your hips, legs and knees to be in pretty tip-top condition for helicopter flying. Also your arms and shoulders. It’s rather like playing a drum kit in that regard, although the consequences of getting out of time during the second verse are quite a bit graver.
“I realised I was getting increasingly uncomfortable up there in the air. Having to push the physical part of the task was taking some of the joy out of it.
“Clearly it was time to step away while I was still capable of stepping.” Expressing his heartache at this chapter’s end, David reflected: “Flying that helicopter was a big part of my life. It was a lot of fun, obviously, but also just the most satisfying accomplishment.”
In a candid interview with the Sunday Times, David discussed how his hip replacement surgery in 2023 significantly impacted his mobility. He also touched on the natural effects of aging, stating: “My memory isn’t what it used to be.
“Most of us reach this point when things aren’t quite as bright as they used to be.” However, David remains optimistic, pointing out: “Mind you, I don’t wear a hearing aid, I don’t wear glasses, and I’ve only had to replace one bit of my body (a hip replacement), so I’m not doing too bad.”