On This Day

British TV comedy "Only Fools and Horses," created by John Sullivan and starring David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, and Le

British TV comedy "Only Fools and Horses," created by John Sullivan and starring David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, and Lennard Pearce, premieres on BBC One

Sir David John White OBE, known professionally as David Jason, is a British actor. He has played Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, Detective Inspector Jack Frost in the drama series A Touch of Frost, Granville in the sitcoms Open All Hours and Still Open All Hours, and Pop Larkin in the comedy drama series The Darling Buds of May, as well as voicing several cartoon characters, including Mr. Toad in The Wind in the Willows, the BFG in the 1989 film of the same name, and the title characters of Danger Mouse and Count Duckula.

In September 2006, Jason had topped the poll to find TV's 50 Greatest Stars, as part of ITV's 50th anniversary celebrations. He was knighted in 2005 for services to acting and comedy.

Historical Significance

Sir David John White OBE, known professionally as David Jason, is a British actor.

Events Before

  1. Chrysler Europe is renamed Talbot

    Chrysler Europe was the American automotive company Chrysler's operations in Europe from 1967 through 1978.

  2. Real Records releases "Pretenders" in the UK, the debut album by The Pretenders

    Pretenders is the debut studio album by British-American band the Pretenders, released in January 1980. A combination of rock and roll, punk and new wave music, it was an immediate success.

  3. Pink Floyd's double album "The Wall" hits #1

    The Wall is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 30 November 1979 by Harvest CBS Records. It is the last album to include all four post-Barrett-era band members.

  4. US President Jimmy Carter announces a US boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow after the Soviet invasion of Afgh

    US President Jimmy Carter announces a US boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

  5. Cypriot-American model Angie Bowie (30) divorces British singer David Bowie (33) after just under 10 years of marriage

    Cypriot-American model Angie Bowie (30) divorces British singer David Bowie (33) after just under 10 years of marriage

Events After

  1. The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the

    The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff, setting numerous playoff scoring records

  2. Paul Belmondo dies

    Paul Belmondo dies

  3. "Thirtysomething" stars Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig meet; they later marry

    "Thirtysomething" stars Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig meet; they later marry

  4. American singer Barbra Streisand and hairdresser/film producer Jon Peters' romantic relationship ends

    Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand is an American singer, actress, songwriter, producer, and director.

  5. NFC Championship, Candlestick Park, SF: San Francisco 49ers defeat Dallas Cowboys 28-27; "The Catch," an iconic moment i

    NFC Championship, Candlestick Park, SF: San Francisco 49ers defeat Dallas Cowboys 28-27; "The Catch," an iconic moment in NFL history, Dwight Clark makes a fingertip touchdown catch from Joe Montana with 58 seconds remaining; SF goes on to win the Super Bowl

More from the 1980s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 8, 1981?
Sir David John White OBE, known professionally as David Jason, is a British actor. He has played Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, Detective Inspector Jack Frost in the drama series A Touch of Frost, Granville in the sitcoms Open All Hours and Still Open All Hours, and Pop Larkin in the comedy drama series The Darling Buds of May, as well as voicing several cartoon characters, including Mr. Toad in The Wind in the Willows, the BFG in the 1989 film of the same name, and the title characters of Danger Mouse and Count Duckula.
Why is British TV comedy "Only Fools and Horses," created by John Sullivan and starr... significant?
Sir David John White OBE, known professionally as David Jason, is a British actor.

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