Derek Edward Trotter, better known as Del Boy, is a beloved character from the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses and its spinoff, Rock & Chips.
Portrayed by David Jason, Del Boy’s iconic status in British television history was confirmed when he ranked fourth on Channel 4’s 2001 poll of the 100 Greatest TV Characters.
Known for his misused French phrases and catchy Cockney sayings, Del Boy is a character filled with optimism, charm and cheekiness.
However, beneath his confident exterior, he harbors feelings of loneliness due to his limited family connections.
As the series progresses, Del Boy adopts yuppie mannerisms, pretending to be wealthier than he is. He is also a compulsive liar, often against his own interests.
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He has a notable fear of doctors and dentists and he is often depicted as having limited knowledge in academic subjects.
Despite his quirks and flaws, Del Boy’s love for his family and his enduring optimism make him a memorable character in British television.
Funniest Del Boy Quotes
Oh, leave it out Rodney, you couldn’t flog a black cat to a witch! ~ Del Boy.
You know it makes sense. ~ Del Boy.
They’re yuppies. They don’t speak proper English like what we do. ~ Del Boy.
This time next year we’ll be millionaires! ~ Del Boy.
Lovely jubbly! ~ Del Boy.
I got a Persian rug with more food on it than a menu. ~ Del Boy.
Not only have you managed to sink every battleship and aircraft carrier that you’ve ever sailed on, but now you’ve gone and knackered a gravy boat. ~ Del Boy.
Hilarious Del Boy Quotes
He who dares wins. He who hesitates… doesn’t. ~ Del Boy.
She used to say, ‘It’s better to know you’ve lost than not to know you’ve won.’ Dear old Mum, she used to say some bloody stupid things. ~ Del Boy.
Rodney, everything between you and I is split straight down the middle: 60-40. ~ Del Boy.
Not only have you managed to sink every battleship and aircraft carrier that you’ve ever sailed on, but now you’ve gone and knackered a gravy boat. ~ Del Boy.
He who dares wins. ~ Del Boy.
As Macbeth said to Hamlet in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ‘We’ve been done up like a couple of kippers.’ ~ Del Boy.
No chance of this happening with Rodney, is there? World War Three! This plonker can’t even get Channel Three! ~ Del Boy.
I got a Persian rug with more food on it than a menu. ~ Del Boy.
Top Del Boy Quotes
One of my most favouritist meals is Duck à l’Orange, but I don’t know how to say that in French. ~ Del Boy.
Of course he couldn’t swim, he only had one bloody arm. He would have gone around in circles, wouldn’t he? ~ Del Boy.
I’m a black belt in origami. ~ Del Boy.
It’s the toughest chicken I’ve ever known. It’s asked me for a fight in the car park twice. ~ Del Boy.
There’s no point in running away. Running away only wears out your shoes. ~ Del Boy.
You plonker, Rodney! ~ Del Boy.
Best Del Boy Quotes
You’ve always been the same, even at school. Nothing but books, learning, education. That’s why you’re no good at snooker. ~ Del Boy.
I used to be a midfield dynamo, played like Paul Gascoigne. Boycie used to play like Bamber Gascoigne. ~ Del Boy.
I see it as a combination of my business acumen and salesmanship, and your ability to drive a three-wheeled van. Badly. ~ Del Boy.
Asking a Trotter if he knows anything about chandeliers is like asking Mr Kipling if he knows anything about cakes. ~ Del Boy.
If you had been in charge of The Last Supper it would have been a takeaway. ~ Del Boy.
You can’t trust the Old Bill, can ya? Look at that time they planted six gas cookers in my bedroom. ~ Del Boy.
French Del Boy Quotes
- Bain-marie!
- Chateauneuf du Pape!
- Creme de la Menthe!
- Au contraire!
- Pot Pourri!
- Bonnet de douche!
Watch ‘Del Boy’ in action in this video.
So these were the 33 top Del Boy quotes that are funny and hilarious.
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Short Biography of Del Boy
Del Boy Trotter, a beloved character from the British sitcom “Only Fools and Horses,” is known for his optimistic and cheeky nature.
Portrayed by David Jason, and as a teen by James Buckley in a prequel, Del Boy is famous for his humorous Cockney slang and broken French.
Despite his happy exterior, he experiences loneliness and tries to fit in with higher social circles, often through lies and pretense.
| Full Name | Derek Edward Trotter |
| TV show | Only Fools and Horses |
| First appearance | “Big Brother”; 8 September 1981 |
| Last appearance | “Beckham in Peckham”; 14 March 2014 |
| Created by | John Sullivan |
| Played by | David Jason |
| Home | Peckham, South London, England |
| Occupation | Market trader, Entrepreneur |
| Family | Reg Trotter (father); Joan Trotter (mother); Rodney Trotter (half-brother) |
| Children | Damien Trotter |
| Spouse | Raquel Turner (partner) |
| Romantically involved with | Raquel Turner, Heather |
He’s also known for his fear of doctors and dentists, and his incorrect uses of French and misunderstandings in various subjects.
Del Boy’s personal life includes a complicated family history, with a strong bond with his mother, a difficult relationship with his father, and caring for his brother Rodney and grandfather.
His career as a market trader is full of get-rich-quick schemes, leading to a mix of success and failure, but always with the dream of becoming a millionaire.
Del’s life is a blend of humor, resilience, and the occasional vulnerability, making him a memorable and endearing character in British TV history.
Quick Facts about Del Boy
- Del Boy’s full name is Derek Edward Trotter.
- David Jason played Del Boy in the original series.
- James Buckley portrayed Del Boy as a teenager in the prequel Rock & Chips.
- Del Boy is a beloved British TV comedy character.
- He ranked fourth in a 2001 poll of the 100 Greatest TV Characters.
- Del Boy uses Cockney culture elements and broken French phrases.
- His catchphrases include “He who dares, wins!” and “This time next year we’ll be millionaires”.
- Del Boy is optimistic and confident.
- He has experienced loneliness due to a lack of family.
- Del Boy adopted yuppie mannerisms in the later series.
- He is known for lying, even when it’s not in his best interest.
- Del Boy has a fear of doctors and dentists.
- He wrongly believes he has knowledge in various academic subjects.
- Del Boy has been engaged many times but never marries.
- He meets his partner Raquel Turner in the 1988 special “Dates”.
- Del was born in December 1945 to Joan Hollins and Reg Trotter.
- He took care of his family after his father left.
- Del lives in Nelson Mandela House on the Nyerere Estate, Peckham, London.
- His father was abusive and a friend of Freddie Robdal, Rodney’s biological father.
- Del has many friends and one enemy, DCI Roy Slater.
- He is quick-witted but often gets Rodney into trouble.
- Del is afraid of doctors and dentists and supports Chelsea FC.
- He cannot swim or fly a hang glider.
- Del is selfish but can be very thoughtful towards his family.
- He runs Trotters Independent Traders from a bright yellow Reliant Regal supervan.
- Del Boy is a petty criminal dealing mostly in stolen goods.
- He and Rodney become millionaires after selling a priceless watch.
- Del Boy is declared bankrupt but avoids prison thanks to an inheritance from Uncle Albert.
- Rodney becomes managing director of a reformed Trotters Independent Traders.
- Del Boy’s “autobiography” is titled He Who Dares.
Top Questions about Del Boy
A: David Jason originally played Del Boy in “Only Fools and Horses”.
A: Del Boy and Rodney became millionaires in the episode “Time On Our Hands” after discovering and selling an antique watch for £6.2 million.
A: James Buckley portrayed a teenage Del Boy in the spinoff series “Rock & Chips”.
A: Del Boy was ranked fourth in the 2001 Channel 4 poll of the 100 Greatest TV Characters.
A: Del Boy was approximately 36 years old when “Only Fools and Horses” first aired in 1981.
A: One of Del Boy’s catchphrases reflecting his optimistic outlook on wealth is “This time next year we’ll be millionaires”.
A: “Only Fools and Horses” premiered on BBC One in the UK on 8 September 1981.
A: In later seasons, Del Boy adopts the mannerisms of a stereotypical yuppie of the late 1980s, pretending to be wealthier than he is.
A: The episode “Diamonds Are For Heather” reveals Del Boy’s feelings of loneliness due to his small family.
A: Del Boy has a phobia of doctors, as revealed in “Sickness and Wealth”.
A: In the 1988 special “Dates”, Del Boy meets his significant other, Raquel Turner.
A: In “Thicker than Water”, Del Boy nearly ejects his father, Reg, from the flat, indicating the negative impact Reg had on the family.
A: Del Boy’s business is called Trotters Independent Traders (T.I.T.), and he operates as a market trader, selling goods from a suitcase or his van with a variety of get-rich-quick schemes.
A: “Del Boy slang” refers to the slightly dishonest way of doing business, similar to the character Del Boy from “Only Fools and Horses”, who buys and sells things without much success and isn’t entirely honest.
A: Del Boy is portrayed as a petty criminal in “Only Fools and Horses”, known more for his attempts to improve his family’s financial situation rather than being seen as a serious criminal.
A: “Only Fools and Horses” is celebrated as the greatest British sitcom due to its humor, originality, and character development.
