Legendary actor Sir David Jason has expressed his “delight” at discovering that he has a daughter he didn’t know existed. Speaking in a recent interview, the Only Fools and Horses star revealed that he had a brief relationship with actor Jennifer Hill in 1970, which resulted in the birth of his 52-year-old daughter Abi Harris.
“To say it was a surprise to find out I had a daughter from years ago is an understatement,” Jason told The Mirror. “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.”
Jason, who is 82 years old, is said to be building a relationship with Abi, who is also an actor, as well as her 10-year-old son Charlie. “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,” he added.
Abi spent Christmas with Jason and his family, and the actor hopes that they can continue to get to know each other in private. “We hope we are all allowed the privacy to continue our new relationship and get to know each other more and more,” he said.
Jason is best known for playing Derek “Del Boy” Trotter on Only Fools and Horses between 1981 and 1991, and has reprised the role in multiple specials since then. Last year, he backed calls for the sitcom to be rebooted, saying that he would love to revisit the character. “I’ve always loved Del Boy, who is such a wonderful loser,” he said. “I would love to revisit him; I need someone to write me a script.”
