Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst is joining the Frasier reboot for streaming service Paramount+. The surprise casting is the first project Lyndhurst has signed on to since the sad death of his son Archie in 2020.
The legendary sitcom actor, who played Rodney Trotter opposite David Jason's Del Boy for two decades, hasn't worked since appearing on screen with Archie in CBBC's So Awkward back in 2019. In September 2020 the 19-year-old was found dead at his home after having a brain haemorrhage.
Lyndhurst, 61, has signed up to the new series of Frasier which stars Kelsey Grammer and originally aired between 1993 and 2004, with the reboot first announced in 2021. The Only Fools veteran will play a character called Alan Cornwall.
Read more: The Only Fools and Horses episode that was 'banned' over Del Boy concern
In a character description reported by Variety it says of Alan: "Frasier’s old college buddy turned university professor. British, boozy, and larger than life, Alan has an intellect on par with Frasier’s – if only he ever felt like using it. Alan’s mischievous streak might be just what Frasier could use to shake up his routine while Frasier’s thoughtful guidance might help Alan find some of the direction he’s been missing in his own life." It's not the first time that Lyndhurst and Grammer have starred opposite each other after they appeared together in Man of La Mancha for the English National Opera at the London Coliseum.
The Frasier reboot as yet hasn't released details about any more cast members and so far original cast members Peri Gilpin, David Hyde Pierce, and Jane Leeves have not signed up. Martin Crane actor John Mahoney died in 2018.
In January 2022 comedy writer Laurance Marks – who wrote Goodnight Sweetheart, which starred Lyndhurst – said it was doubtful the star would return to acting. However a representative for Lyndhurst then told MailOnline that: 'It is complete nonsense that Nicholas Lyndhurst is retired or retiring."
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