Think back. We got The Green Green Grass, which followed Boycie and Marlene to the countryside. It was… fine. Like a cup of tea that’s a bit too weak. Then there was Rock & Chips, a prequel exploring young Del, which had moments of absolute gold (Nicholas Lyndhurst as the copper was a stroke of genius). Rock & Chips showed us the grit, the pain, and the poverty that made Del Boy who he is. That, honestly, worked better than I expected.
So, why is a new spin-off sparking so much debate? Because we’re terrified they’ll mess it up. We don't want a casino night in Margate with modern influencers. We want the real magic: the banter, the hustle, the heart under the shell suits.
The core question nobody’s asking
The big question isn’t if a spin-off should happen. It’s who it should follow. A show about a grown-up Damien? Please, no. That’s just begging for a grimdark reboot where he sells crypto scams. What about focusing on a young Rodney, before he met Del? Or, hear me out: a series about Trigger. Yes, Trigger.
The Only Fools and Horses spin-offs you might have forgotten about
Imagine it: a sitcom set entirely in the council depot, with a rotating cast of road sweepers and a young Boycie hanging around looking for "investment opportunities." It could be Parks and Rec with more banter and fewer parks. Only Fools was always about the community, the people who propped up the pub and bought "slightly used" car stereos. That world is still there. It’s just wearing different trainers now.
But here’s the irony, and you know it’s coming. Every time a spin-off is rumored, the internet howls with rage. Then it comes out, we all watch it, and we spend the next decade arguing about whether it was “as good as the original.” It’s the Circle of Life, but with more Turkish hooky gear and custard pies.
