David Jason My Life, David Jason
David Jason My Life, David Jason
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David Jason: My Life

Author: David Jason

Narrator: Michael Fenton Stevens

Unabridged: 12 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/10/2013


Synopsis

David Jason: My Life, now available as an unabridged audiobook.

National Book Awards Autobiography of the Year 2013.

Born the son of a Billingsgate market porter at the height of the Second World War, David Jason spent his early life dodging bombs and bullies, both with impish good timing. Giving up on an unloved career as an electrician, he turned his attention to acting and soon, through a natural talent for making people laugh, found himself working with the leading lights of British comedy in the 1960s and '70s: Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Bob Monkhouse and Ronnie Barker. Barker would become a mentor to David, leading to hugely successful stints in Porridge and Open All Hours.

It wasn’t until 1981, kitted out with a sheepskin jacket, a flat cap, and a clapped-out Reliant Regal, that David found the part that would capture the nation’s hearts: the beloved Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter in Only Fools and Horses. Never a one-trick pony, he had an award-winning spell as TV’s favourite detective Jack Frost, took a country jaunt as Pop Larkin in the Darling Buds of May, and even voiced a crime-fighting cartoon rodent in the much-loved children’s show Danger Mouse.

But life hasn't all been so easy: from missing out on a key role in Dad’s Army to nearly drowning in a freak diving accident, David has had his fair share of ups and downs, and has lost some of his nearest and dearest along the way.

David’s is a touching, funny and warm-hearted story, which charts the course of his incredible five decades at the top of the entertainment business. He's been a shopkeeper and a detective inspector, a crime-fighter and a market trader, and he ain't finished yet. As Del Boy would say, it's all cushty.

The introduction to the David Jason audiobook is narrated by David himself.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Caroline on May 20, 2015

What a nice man! Plain speaking, warm, with a love of the art of comedy that shines though his career and through his writing. We follow his rise to success cheering every inch of the way. A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable read. Feelgood factor - 10/10.......more

Goodreads review by Rikki on December 10, 2013

David Jason was already a star when I first heard of him, but which character was most like the man himself. The cheeky Del Boy? The slightly gormless Granville? The shabby, sharp, obstreperous detective Jack Frost? As I started to read his autobiography, I realised he had a background in acting cov......more

Goodreads review by Barrie1953 on September 22, 2016

David Jason is a very popular man, actor, comedy rolls and more. I know when I watch anything with him in it I am going to thoroughly love it. Fools and horse to Frost showed a HUGE talent as both opposite dimensions. Read about his early days starting out as an electrician. Then he ended up being a " m......more

Goodreads review by Julie on December 03, 2013

I like a biography, I seem to read enough of them lately, so this one seemed like it would provide a little amusement. I did enjoy reading about his normal growing up, and training as an electrician. While at school him and a mate joined a dramatic club as a way to meet girls, and without any formal......more

Goodreads review by Michelle on September 03, 2025

This was my first book that I have listened to on audio, a very unusual experience as I generally prefer a book. Nonetheless I really enjoyed the book and David came across as a very humble individual who worked incredibly hard to achieve his success, it was really interesting to hear about the behin......more


Quotes

As good as it gets ... so much on every page ... a great, great book. Chris Evans

It's a romp of a chronicle, a life according to Del Boy, the ultimate cheeky chappy. Daily Telegraph

Jason's account of his 'busy and fulfilling life' is as genuinely genial as the man himself ... his hugely likeable memoirs reveal he's had the last laugh. Daily Mail - Book of the Week

The book is terrific. Richard Bacon

How the son of a market porter gave up a career as an electrician to become one of Britain's most successful and best loved actors ... the long awaited story... Independent

It really is a life story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Matt Baker, The One Show

He comes across as hugely likeable and approachable. Daily Mail

Touching, funny and warm-hearted. Sunday Mirror

Touching and funny ... it really is a top read. Sun

Written with real charm. Guardian