How Many Series Was There Of Only Fools And Horses

Right, let’s settle this once and for all: how many series of Only Fools and Horses were there? You know, the classic British sitcom about the Trotters and their legendary yellow Reliant Regal. It’s a question that has sparked more pub arguments than who ate the last packet of crisps. Grab a cuppa, and let’s count ‘em out—without falling through a bar, obviously.

The Simple Answer (That Isn’t So Simple)

Officially, there were seven proper series. Yes, just seven—though it feels like a hundred, right? These aired between 1981 and 1991, giving us seven glorious seasons of Del Boy, Rodney, and Grandad (later Uncle Albert). But hold your horses, because this is where the waters get muddier than a mug of tea stirred with a spoon you dropped on the floor.

The show also had sixteen Christmas specials and a handful of one-off episodes. In fact, some years had only a Christmas special and no series at all. That’s why people get confused—it’s like trying to count the bottles of Babycham Del and Rodney drank in one night. You lose track.

The Series Breakdown

Let me break it down for you, mate. Series 1 kicked off in 1981 with six episodes, introducing the world to the Trotters’ council flat and their dodgy deals. Series 2 followed in 1982, also with six episodes—including the classic “A Touch of Glass,” where Del and Rodney dress up as Batman and Robin. Iconic.

Then came Series 3 in 1983 (six episodes), Series 4 in 1985 (seven episodes), and Series 5 in 1986 (six episodes). By now, the show was a national treasure—almost as treasured as Del’s fake Rolex. Series 6 hit in 1989 with six episodes, and the final official series, Series 7, arrived in 1991 with a mere four episodes. Talk about leaving us hanging like a busted chandelier.

The Specials and the “Missing” Series

Here’s the tricky bit: after Series 7, the show didn’t end—it just went into special mode. From 1991 to 2003, we got those epic Christmas specials, like “Miami Twice” (1991) and “Heroes and Villains” (1996). These are often mistaken for mini-series, but they’re not. They’re standalone crackers that stretched the story like a dodgy elastic waistband.

And let’s not forget the 1996 trilogy—“Mother Nature’s Son,” “Fatal Extraction,” and “The Broken Years”—which together form one long, emotional rollercoaster. Some fans count these as Series 8, but the BBC says no. It’s like arguing if a Jaffa Cake is a cake or a biscuit—pointless but fun.

Why the Confusion?

Why does everyone think there were more than seven series? Blame the gaps. The show aired sporadically, with years-long breaks between some episodes. In 1986, there was a special (“A Royal Flush”) that aired between series, throwing off the count. And don’t even get me started on the 2003 “Beckham” special, which was essentially a forty-minute punchline.

Also, the DVD box sets often lump the specials into series departments, making you think you’re watching a new season. It’s a conspiracy, I tell you—or just lazy marketing. Either way, it’s enough to make Del Boy say, “You plonker!”

So, How Many Series Were There Really?

To be technically correct (the best kind of correct), the answer is seven series. That’s 37 episodes in total (plus the specials). But if you ask a superfan, they’ll argue for “eight” or “nine” because of the way the specials are grouped. Honestly, it’s like asking how many times Rodney got knocked out—it’s a lot, and the exact number is fuzzy.

Just remember this: the show ran from 1981 to 2003, with a core of seven distinct series. The rest are glorious, gravy-soaked extras—like the trimmings on a Christmas dinner. And nobody complains about too many trimmings.

The Uplifting Conclusion

So, whether you count seven, eight, or twenty series (you mad lad), the true magic of Only Fools and Horses isn’t in the numbers. It’s in the laughter, the love, and the unforgettable moments—like Del falling through the bar, or Rodney’s wedding, or Grandad’s life advice. This show reminds us that family is everything, even when your family is a wheeler-dealer with a dodgy suit and a brother who looks like a scarecrow.

Next time you’re with mates and the “how many series?” debate starts, just smile, sip your tea, and say, “Does it matter? We’ll always have the Trotters.” And then put on an episode—preferably the one where Trigger wins an award for “cleanest road sweeper.” Because life’s too short to count episodes, but never too short for a good laugh. Cheers! 🍻