Jason, David "My Life"

Jason, David "My Life" - 2013

A while ago I found David Jason's book "Only Fools and Stories: From Del Boy to Granville, Pop Larkin to Frost" and learned that he had also written a biography. So, I just had to read it because I'm a huge fan of this wonderful actor.

I was not disappointed. While reading "My Life", you hear David Jason's voice (same as in "Only Fools and Stories"). And what a life it is. He has given us all so much pleasure, he makes you laugh every time, even in his more sinister role as Jack Frost in "A Touch of Frost".

In this biography, he tells us all about his life, from his early years during the war to his beginnings in the school drama club. His life seems as funny as his plays. That doesn't mean, he hasn't had his bad times but he can tell us about them just as lovingly and warm-hearted as about the "lovely jubbly" part. *

If you are a fan of any of his series, you just have to read this. Though I guess, if you are a fan of one of his series, you have seen them all anyway, you can't watch one and not love him. I couldn't even say which one of his series is my favourite, probably "Open All Hours". If you haven't seen one of his shows, start with that one.

No wonder, the queen awarded him a knighthood. Sir David Jason. Totally deserved.

What a nice guy! I hope he will carry on playing for a long long time.

From the back cover:

"Born the son of a Billingsgate market porter at the height of the Second World War, David Jason's early life was spent dodging bombs and bullies, both with impish good timing. Giving up on an unloved career as an electrician, he turned his attention to acting and soon, through a natural talent for making people laugh, found himself working with the leading lights of British comedy in the 60s and 70s: Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Bob Monkhouse and Ronnie Barker.

But it was in 1981, kitted out with a sheepskin jacked and a clapped-out Reliant Regla, that David found the part of the beloved Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter in Only Fools and Horses.

A Touch of Frost ran from 1992 until 2010, winning nine major television awards. The final episode drew in over 8 million viewers.

David's is a touching, funny and warm-hearted story, which charts the course of his incredible six decades at the top of the entertainment business, including an award-winning spell as TV detective Jack Forst and playing a host of film and TV's favourite characters. From shopkeeper to detective inspector, crime-fighter to market trader, who knows where he'll be this time next year.
He ain't finished yet."

* From Wiktionary:
From an advertising slogan for Jubbly, an orange-flavoured soft drink. The actual slogan was Lubbly Jubbly, but became Lovely Jubbly when popularised by the BBC television comedy Only Fools and Horses.