Almost 85? Don't remind me!'

Iconic Only Fools star Sir David Jason reflects on his 60-year career and describes the shock of discovering a daughter he never knew

- GEMMA CALVERT

Sir David Jason turns 85 in February - just be sure to keep it shtum. 'Don't remind me!' says the multi-BAFTA-winning actor when we meet at a sumptuous 17th-century hotel in Buckinghamshire to discuss his latest book, This Time Next Time Year: A Life of Positive Thinking, and chit-chat turns to his forthcoming big birthday. Refusing to believe the age he is, David admits that he 'actually feels 50'. Until, that is, his body reminds him otherwise.

At the time he wrote the book, he was a 'groaning wreck' because of gardening-induced lower back pain. More recently he's had leg trouble, something he believes is an unfortunate by-product of his operation in October last year to fit a new titanium hip. And while he confesses to 'getting frustrated' with the agony, he says he is incredibly grateful to have had the procedure at all. 'My God, aren't we lucky that we can do that? If we weren't living in the time when these operations are normal every day, you would be crippled.' Of course, there's deep appreciation for his remarkable acting career too, which now spans some six decades.

The son of a fishmonger who grew up in Finchley, north London, David was on track to be an electrician before trying his luck as a jobbing actor after thriving within his local amateur dramatics society.

'My beginnings gave me a love of performing'

After some years touring the country as a theatre actor, he landed his first-ever telly appearance in the BBC panto Mother Goose, broadcast on Christmas Day 1965, two years before being cast in Do Not Adjust Your Set with Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Eric Idle.