Who is Nicholas Lyndhurst aka Rodney Trotter from Only Fools and Horses and where is he now?
THANKS to his role as Rodney Trotter in the iconic TV show Only Fools and Horses, Nicholas Lyndhurst has cemented himself as a national treasure.
The legendary actor has remained in the spotlight ever since bursting onto the scene in the 70s. Here we take a look at his incredible life.
Born on April 20, 1961, Nicholas Lyndhurst is an actor known for the stage and screen.
Before he found fame in Only Fools and Horses, the star began his career appearing in adverts and children’s films during the 1970s.
His first big break was when he landing a role in the hit BBC sitcom Butterflies, in which he played Adam Parkinson.
Nicholas went on to appear in various TV dramas during the 80s and 90s, including the ITV comedy, The Two of Us.
However, aside from Only Fools and Horses, his other big role was playing Gary Sparrow in the BBC’s time travel sitcom, Goodnight Sweetheart.
The show was such a hit that he won two National Television Awards in 1998 and 1999.
Only Fools and Horses fame
Nicholas shot to fame as Rodney Trotter, the younger brother of David Jason‘s Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses.
His hapless character in the comedy captured the nation’s hearts and even led to three BAFTA nominations.
The comedy, which ran from 1981 until 2003, is often considered one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time.
Cracking Hollywood
In 2023, Nicholas cracked Hollywood when he landed a role in hit US sitcom Frasier.
In the rebooted series the actor plays Frasier’s best friend Alan Cornwall.
Kelsey Grammer, who has played shrink-turned-lecturer Dr Frasier Crane for over 30 years, hailed Nicholas as the “best actor” he has ever worked with.
He said: “Nick Lyndhurst. He’s stealth warfare. He’s the sneakiest most talented actor I’ve ever worked with.
“We worked together in London on the musical, Man of La Mancha [in 2019].
“We made plans to get [our partners] together and we became best friends.
“So when the idea of Frasier having a best friend came into the mix, it was always Nicholas.
“I asked him when we were back in England if he’d like to be in the new Frasier.
“He said, ‘Are you kidding? I would do anything to work with you again every day for the rest of my life.’ The feeling is mutual.”
Married life
Nicholas married wife Lucy Smith, a former ballet dancer, in a secret ceremony on September 1, 1999, having been engaged since 1990.
Sadly their only son, Archie, passed away from a brain haemorrhage in October 2020.
Paying tribute to her boy and, Lucy said: “The world is a very different place without him.
“One of my last conversations with him was about all that was going on in the world, the chaos, anger about all different subjects.
“He looked at me with his huge blue soulful eyes, shook his head and said ‘All the world need is love Mama, it’s so easy to love’.