Series 1

The following is an episode list for the BBC One sitcom Only Fools and Horses. The show was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 8 September 1981. It ran for seven series and nineteen Christmas Specials until 25 December 2003, when the final episode was broadcast. In total, 64 regular episodes of Only Fools and Horses, all written by John Sullivan, were produced







Episode 1
"Big Brother"

Derek "Del Boy" Trotter employs his younger brother Rodney as his assistant in his company Trotters Independent Traders. At Peckham's local pub, the Nag's Head, Del and Rodney meet Del's friend Trigger (who believes that Rodney's name is Dave), who sells them 25 suitcases for £200. Back at their flat in Nelson Mandela House, the Trotters discover that the suitcases can't be actually be opened because the combinations for the locks have been locked inside. The following day, Rodney attempts to run away to Hong Kong, although eventually returns to Peckham after forgetting his passport. Del takes his brother's advice and chucks the briefcases in the river, losing his £200.

Episode 2
"Go West Young Man"

Del's second-hand car dealer friend from Lewisham, Boycie, has recently bought a Jaguar E-Type for his girlfriend, and Del agrees to hide it away in his garage for a week so that Boycie's wife, Marlene, doesn't see it. In exchange, Boycie gives Del a death trap of an old car costing £25. When Del sells the car to an Australian man for £199, he believes that he and Rodney deserve a night out in London's pubs and clubs. Rodney finds a club and suggests that he and Del try it out, but have to leave quickly when they learn that it's actually a gay club. The brothers finally find a decent club and meet two young women, who invite the Trotters back to their place. Whilst driving there in Boycie's Jaguar, the car behind them crashes into them due to his dodgy brakes. Unfortunately for Del and Rodders, it's the Australian man they ripped off earlier that day.

Episode 3

"Cash and Curry"

Eager to forge new business links, Del befriends Vimmal Malik, a wealthy businessman who seems eager to work with Trotters Independent Trading. After a dance at the Camberwell Chamber of Trade, Del and Vimmal are cornered by Mr Ram and his heavy boys. It seems that Vimmal is holding onto a pricey porcelain family heirloom that belongs to the Ram family – and they want it back. To try to make an impression, Del offers to mediate between the two men, especially as Mr Ram says he'll pay £4,000 for the return of the statue to his family. Unluckily for Del, it's all a ruse and he ends up losing a fortune to Vimmal and Ram, a couple of conmen touring the country, using the same scam on local businessmen wherever they go.

Episode 4

"The Second Time Around"

Del Boy is shocked to hear that one of his many ex-fiancés, Pauline Harris, is back in Peckham after returning from America. Soon, much to Rodney and Grandad's horror, Del and Pauline are engaged again, despite Pauline's husband just dying from what Del is told to be food poisoning. The Trotters leave Nelson Mandela House and give Pauline five days to pack her bag and get out. The family arrive at what they believe to be their great-aunt Rose's house but it turns out that aunt Rose moved out of the house ages ago. Pauline moves out of the Trotter flat but also phones Tim the Talking Clock in America.

Episode 5

"A Slow Bus to Chingford"

Del interrupts Rodney's romantic evening with his girlfriend to tell him that he's got a job as a nightwatchman for buses. The following morning, Del confesses that the bus company would give him a double-decker bus in exchange for Rodney becoming a nightwatchman. Del Boy uses the bus to set up a bus tour company taking tourists around London but on the day, nobody turns up. On the bus, Del reveals that he doesn't know any facts about London and would therefore tell the tourists lots of false facts. Grandad wins a bet against Del when nobody turns up by the end of the day but his celebrations are short-lived... because Del finds all the leaflets that Grandad chucked down the rubbish chute.

Episode 6

"The Russians Are Coming"

Another successful dodgy deal means Del has over a grand's worth of lead from a disused factory to get rid of. When Rodney points out that the three tons of lead are in fact a DIY fallout shelter, Del refuses to believe him until he reads the accompanying brochure. With the threat of nuclear holocaust preying on Rodney's nerves he asks Del what he'd do if he heard the four-minute warning. Without an answer, Del considers putting a survival plan into action that means reaching Grandad's allotment in time to take shelter. It's during a practice run for the Trotter counter-strike survival plan that they get stopped for speeding by the police – they never find out whether they'd make it in time.

Episode 7 - Christmas Special 1981

"Christmas Crackers"

It's Christmas in Peckham and Del and Rodney are waiting for Grandad's traditional poisoned Christmas dinner to arrive at the table. But it turns out that for once that, after dinner and exchanging gifts (including a £20 given to Grandad by Del), Grandad's going to the OAP party, meaning that the Trotter brothers are hitting the Monte Carlo Club. Unfortunately, Rodders is unable to pull any birds, even after reading his book, and when he does finally make some progress, he's beaten by two other men, much to his and Del's horror.