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Revision as of 02:04, 13 November 2004 by Ahkond (talk | contribs) (typo fixes)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Edward Kitchener Trotter (1909-1985 Peckham Rye), known better as simply Grandad, was a character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses from 1981-1985. He was played by Lennard Pearce.
The character was Grandfather to Derek and Rodney Trotter. Del once described his grandfather as 'an out of work lamp-lighter waiting for gas to make a comeback'. However, despite the fact that Grandad is largely infirm and useless, the Trotters sense of family loyalty means that he would never be turned out. He is however often treated with a level of light-heated abuse by Del and Rodney when his docile nature becomes an inconvienience causing deperation. For example, in one episode, Grandad takes a phone call for Del; Del informs him to tell whoever is on the other end that he has gone out. Grandad informs the caller of this, but then looks rather confused; he mutters "Hold on, I'll just ask 'im" before shouting "Del! Where've you gone to?". He is a terrible cook, he'll often walk into the front room and wail miserably ' Del Boy, I've burnt yer bacon!' Del also played an April Fool on Grandad, telling him that the pools had rung up and said that he'd won half a million. Grandad went to Soho and celebrated then realised that he didn't do the pools.
However, despite his senility and simplicity, Grandad was more crafty than he let on - wangling himself a bungalow by feigning illness being one of his many talents.
Given the task of minding the Trotter flat from the comfort of his much loved armchair, Grandad had an easy life. However his formative years were less sedate as he made a nice little earner during the Spanish Civil War at gun running. Grandad was also responsible for the spectacular (and noisy) failure of Del's chandelier cleaning business.
When Lennard Pearce died in 1985, writer John Sullivan chose not to replace him but to write the character's death into the series. A funeral was held for Grandad in a moving episode, which saw the Trotter brothers trying to come to terms with the loss of a man who had been such an integral part of their lives. However, such was the nature of the show that amongst the sadness were momonts of brilliant comedy. At the funeral, Del sees what he thinks is Grandad's favorite hat, takes it back to the grave and throws it in. However, he later discovers that the hat belonged to the priest. As Del and Rodney walk away from the grave, the workers begin to fill in the grave; Del turns to them and menacingly says "Oi! Gently". This episode also introduced Grandad's brother Albert.
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