John Challis: Not farewell, just bonjour to new Only Fools sketch
Baton down the hatches. The media whirlwind is about to start. Photographers, journalists and radio presenters are beating a path to my door this year.
Hardly a day goes past without an email or phonecall from someone wanting an interview.
The reason is simple. Only Fools And Horses is hot. It'll be back on the screens next month for Sport Relief.
The story broke at the start of the year in the nationals, I've no idea how they picked up on it. Ever since, I've had people getting in touch to find out what's happening. And the truth is: I'm not allowed to say.
Would you believe it?
Well, fine, as it's you and if you promise not to tell anyone, I'll let you into a few of the details. But you must agree to keep it a secret. That okay?
Good, then I'll begin.
As many of you know, Only Fools was the most successful British sitcom of all time. At its peak, a single episode was watched by more than 24 million viewers – imagine that, more than a third of the population tuning in to watch the same programme.
It ran for a decade, from 1981 to 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003. Ever since, people have been asking us to bring it back. However, the writer, John Sullivan, died in April 2011, which seemed to put an end to it for good.
The clamour to bring back Only Fools has risen to such fever pitch that the BBC has agreed to bring it back for a Sport Relief sketch. It'll be a five-minute piece, with David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst and none other than David Beckham. That's all we're allowed to say for now. Beyond that, my lips are sealed.
That doesn't mean we've seen the end of it, however. It's been trending on Twitter – so you can play your part by tweeting your support to the BBC. Let's all hope they'll listen and give the public what it wants – a new series.
The Sport Relief sketch isn't the only opportunity that people will have to relive their favourite memories from Only Fools.
My solo show, Only Fools and Boycie, hits the road again next week. It will, naturally, be tinged with sadness, of course, following the death of my dear friend Roger Pack Lloyd, who played Trigger and who passed away last week. It was a great loss to all of us.
The solo show was trialled in 2011 and it was so popular that we organised a 12-date tour in autumn. It was a hit, so we booked a tour for spring and will be on the road throughout February and March.
It promises to be popular and we've already sold out the first show, in Bridgnorth, next Saturday. Fans need to get their tickets for other dates now, before they all sell out.
Some actors shy away from characters that they've played, disassociating themselves with roles that struck a chord with the public. I've never done that with Boycie. I was proud to create him and love the fact that so many people still get so much enjoyment from him.
Whenever I'm signing books, whether that's at Waterstones in Merry Hill or Castle Bookshop in Ludlow, people come up to me and tell me that he brought a great deal of laughter to their lives.
When I'm on tour, I take questions from the audience, pose for photographs or sign autographs after the show. People are often keen to ask me about my favourite episode or how well I got on with others on the show. I never duck any questions and enjoy meeting fans.
I'll be playing in a town near you and you can check the dates at my website, www.wigmorebooks.com, by clicking the events tab. I hope to see many of you there.
