“I COULDN’T GET UP” — ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES LEGEND SIR DAVID JASON’S TERRIFYING NIGHT DURING HIS COVID BATTLE

The beloved actor once revealed how a severe bout of COVID-19 left him so weak that he collapsed on the floor and had to crawl desperately for help in the middle of the night.

For millions of television viewers, Sir David Jason will forever be the quick-witted Del Boy Trotter, the unforgettable character whose comic mishaps made generations of audiences laugh.

But away from the screen, the much-loved actor experienced a frightening moment that was far removed from the humour of Only Fools and Horses.

In October 2022, David revealed that a serious bout of COVID-19 had left him so physically weak that he collapsed while trying to get out of bed one night. Unable to stand, he found himself struggling to move across the floor.

His account offered a deeply personal glimpse into an illness that can affect people in very different ways — including those who had previously managed to avoid infection.

“I WAS SO WEAK, I COULDN’T GET UP”

Speaking to BBC Breakfast in October 2022, David explained that he had contracted COVID-19 in July of that year after avoiding the virus during much of the pandemic.

The illness was far more severe than he had expected.

“I got it seriously bad,” he recalled.

He explained that his muscles were not working properly when he tried to get out of bed during the night. He collapsed and fell against a radiator, leaving him unable to get back up.

The experience was frightening. Despite trying to use the bed for support, he could not regain his footing.

“I tried for about a quarter of an hour, trying all sorts of things to stand up so I could walk about,” he said.

For someone accustomed to entertaining audiences with physical comedy and energetic performances, finding himself unable to move as he wanted was a stark and unsettling experience.

A DESPERATE CRAWL THROUGH THE DARK

As the night continued, David tried to reach the door so he could call for assistance.

But his arms and legs were still too weak to work as he needed them to.

He eventually devised a way to move along the floor, using his head to help drag himself forward. Recalling the unusual movement, he compared it to the way a walrus crawls on land.

It was an extraordinary description of a deeply distressing moment.

David kept trying to make his way towards the door, determined to get help despite his physical limitations.

Then, just as he reached it, the door opened.

His wife, Gill Hinchcliffe, arrived and helped him back into bed.

The ordeal had left visible marks. David later discovered carpet burns across his forehead and the top of his nose.

Behind his familiar public persona was a man who had endured a frightening night, unable to rely on his own strength to do something as ordinary as getting out of bed.

 A REMINDER OF HOW SERIOUS ILLNESS CAN BE

David’s story resonated with many people because it showed how suddenly an illness can leave someone vulnerable.

COVID-19 can cause a wide range of symptoms, and severe illness can affect strength and mobility. His experience was a personal account of his own illness, rather than evidence that every person with COVID-19 will experience the same effects.

For fans, hearing the actor describe his struggle was a reminder that even familiar, seemingly resilient public figures can face frightening moments away from the spotlight.

David was best known for bringing laughter into people’s homes. This time, however, it was his honesty about a difficult experience that captured attention.

 THE MAN BEHIND DEL BOY

David Jason’s career has spanned decades, from Only Fools and Horses to Open All Hours and A Touch of Frost.

His portrayal of Del Boy became one of British television’s most enduring comic performances, earning him a special place in the hearts of viewers.

In 2022, after describing his COVID-19 experience, reports said that he had recovered. In the years since, he has also spoken publicly about other aspects of ageing, including hip problems following replacement surgery in 2023.

Those later health discussions should not be confused with the earlier COVID-19 incident: the collapse and desperate crawl he described happened in 2022, not as a newly confirmed emergency.

 A FRIGHTENING NIGHT HE WILL NEVER FORGET

For those who grew up watching David Jason make audiences laugh, it can be difficult to imagine the beloved actor facing such a frightening situation.

Yet his account showed a different side of the television legend — someone confronting an illness that left him exhausted, vulnerable and struggling to reach the person who could help him.

His story is not a report of a new tragedy, but a powerful recollection of a difficult period in his life.

And for the millions who have enjoyed his work over the years, the hope is simple: that the man behind one of television’s most treasured characters continues to enjoy the support of his loved ones and the affection of the fans who have followed him throughout his remarkable career.

Sir David Jason made generations laugh as Del Boy. His honest account of that frightening night reminded everyone that even the people who bring us joy can face moments when they need help themselves. 

Sources: BBC News, October 12, 2022; The Standard, October 12, 2022; RTÉ, October 12, 2022.