After discovering he had a grandson, Sir David Jason has revealed the heartwarming way he bonds with the descendant he never knew he had. The Only Fools and Horses star, 83, was shocked to discover he has a daughter Abi Harris, 52, who has a son, Charlie, 10.
While admitting to The Mirror his surprise at the news, Sir David is now eager to make up for lost time as he gets to know his newly discovered family. When visiting the actor's Buckinghamshire house, Charlie repairs things in his grandad's workshop.
The pair have bonded over model rockets, with Jason helping him launch them on fine days. Charlie also loves helping Del Boy collect eggs from his brood of chickens.
Abi, who unknowingly followed in her father's footsteps in becoming an actor, and her son spent some time with the TV stalwart over Christmas. During their stay Charlie was given a John Lewis Build Your Own Electronics Set by his grandad.
Abi was born in 1970, after her mother Jennifer Hill, an actor, had a short-lived relationship with the actor. Jason said once he, wife Lady Gill White, 62, and 22-year-old daughter Sophie recovered from the shock revelation, they welcomed the pair into their family.
Abi revealed that she began to have suspicions the Open All Hours star was her biological father after hearing of his time with her mother, and then realising she had the same shaped nose as him.
Sir David admitted: “To say it was a surprise to find out I had a daughter from years ago is an understatement. However, on settling with the news, I am delighted that I am now able to get to know Abi and so we meet up when we can.
“My wife, Gill, and daughter, Sophie, have been very supportive and understanding and have embraced Abi and welcomed her and her young son into her now wider family.”
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Abi said: “In discovering my father’s identity, I am starting to piece together my own. Of course, I am tickled pink and incredibly proud but, frequently, completely overwhelmed with sorrow for the years we have lost.
“After a measured start, now I hope we can consciously make time to see each other more often, so that I can master the art of being the best big sister and build a meaningful father-daughter relationship in its truest sense.”
A source close to the family said David was "very accepting" of his new family. However, they added: “It seems like an impossible task for everyone, you can’t make up for lost time. That’s just a regret everyone has to carry.
“But what they can do is make the most of their relationships moving forward, and that’s exciting. It’s early days, but they are meeting up when they can during holidays."
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