Rock & Chips. Image shows from L to R: Freddie 'The Frog' Robdal (Nicholas Lyndhurst), Joan Trotter (Kellie Bright)
Rock & Chips

Rock & Chips

  • TV comedy drama
  • BBC One
  • 2010 - 2011
  • 3 episodes

Comedy drama prequel to Only Fools & Horses. Set in Peckham in the early 1960s, Del Boy and cohorts are still teenagers, and Rodney is yet to be born. Stars James Buckley, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Kellie Bright, Shaun Dingwall, Phil Daniels and more.

Episode menu

Five Gold Rings

Christmas is coming and money is tight in the Trotter household. Reg and Ted are still their usual workshy selves. It's only Del who is bringing in any cash, from his market stall dealings in American imported records.

Preview clips

Further details

Rock & Chips. Image shows from L to R: Reg Trotter (Shaun Dingwall), Edward 'Ted' Trotter (Phil Daniels), Violet (Paula Wilcox), Del Boy (James Buckley). Copyright: Shazam Productions / BBC

The story picks up the Trotters after the birth of baby Rodney in 1960 and follows the fortunes of the family as Del progresses to manhood.

"I'm delighted that Del's winkle-pickers and bomber jacket are back for a Christmas special on BBC One," says write John Sullivan. "The first Rock & Chips was a great popular success for the channel and there are plenty more twists and turns in the Trotter family history for us to explore before we're finished."

It's Christmas 1960 and the Trotters are settling into their new flat in Sir Walter Raleigh House, Peckham. Rodney is a babe in arms, Reg is still drawing the dole and hard-working Joan is struggling to keep the family afloat after losing her jobs at the town hall and the cinema. A 16-year-old Del has left school and is exploring employment opportunities around the docks - including a nice line in selling 45s straight off the back of a boat from America - and Freddie Robdal has been temporarily detained in Wormwood Scrubs at Her Majesty's pleasure.

Joan's fortunes start to look up when she gets her old job back as the ice-cream girl at the local cinema. Freddie is released on bail but will a chance meeting with Joan rekindle dangerous old passions? And will Freddie be able to stay out of prison long enough to get to know baby Rodney?

Meanwhile Del, who has been advised that slipping an engagement ring on a girl's finger can open up a whole new world of lustful opportunity, has managed to get himself engaged to half of Peckham. But will any of his engagements lead to a trip up the aisle?

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 29th December 2010
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
60 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Tuesday 4th January 2011 1:20am BBC1
Sunday 6th March 2011 9:00pm Gold
Monday 7th March 2011 8:00pm Gold
Sunday 3rd July 2011 1:15pm Gold
Sunday 3rd July 2011 8:00pm Gold
Sunday 4th September 2011 12:00am Gold
Sunday 4th September 2011 8:00pm Gold
Monday 19th December 2011 10:00pm Gold
Tuesday 20th December 2011 3:00pm Gold
Wednesday 28th December 2011 2:30pm Gold
Thursday 29th December 2011 10:55am Gold
Thursday 19th January 2012 8:00pm Gold
Friday 20th January 2012 12:00am Gold
Friday 2nd March 2012 9:05pm Gold
Friday 2nd March 2012 11:40pm Gold
Tuesday 3rd April 2012 9:00pm Gold
Wednesday 4th April 2012 3:00pm Gold
Sunday 15th July 2012 1:00pm Gold
Sunday 15th July 2012 7:40pm Gold
Thursday 25th December 2014 7:00pm Drama
Friday 26th December 2014 10:00am Drama
Monday 25th May 2015 3:20pm Drama
Sunday 30th October 2016 11:10pm Drama
Friday 11th August 2017 9:00pm Gold
Thursday 28th September 2017 2:00pm Gold
Friday 29th September 2017 12:55pm Gold
Thursday 28th December 2017 5:40pm Drama
Saturday 15th September 2018 1:00pm Gold
Monday 6th May 2019 4:25pm Drama
Saturday 20th July 2019 12:20am Gold
Saturday 20th July 2019 8:35am Gold
Sunday 12th September 2021 7:40pm Gold
Monday 13th September 2021 1:00am Gold
Monday 20th September 2021 12:10am Gold
Monday 20th September 2021 9:20pm Gold
Sunday 3rd December 2023 2:55pm Gold
Monday 4th December 2023 2:30pm Gold
Wednesday 27th December 2023 10:00pm Gold
Thursday 28th December 2023 2:30am Gold

Cast & crew

Cast
James Buckley Del Boy
Nicholas Lyndhurst Freddie 'The Frog' Robdal
Kellie Bright Joan Trotter
Shaun Dingwall Reg Trotter
Phil Daniels Edward 'Ted' Trotter
Robert Daws Ernie Raynor
Lewis Osborne Trigger
Stephen Lloyd Boycie
Ashley Gerlach Denzil
Paul Putner Gerald 'Jelly' Kelly
Jonathan Readwin Albie Littlewood
Lee Long Jumbo Mills
Calum MacNab Roy Slater
Katie Griffiths Glenda
Bobby Bragg Don
Alison Pargeter Val
Emma Cooke Reenie Turpin
Billy Seymour Raymond
Paula Wilcox Violet
Mel Smith DI Thomas
Tom Brooke DC Stanton
Joan Hodges Gwen
Daniel Cerqueira Alberto
Dave Lamb Sergeant Foster
Guest cast
Kacey Ainsworth Edna (Del's Potential Mum-In-Law)
Giles New Roger
Hazel Douglas Glenda's Gran
Chandeep Uppal Amita
Sophie Ash Girl At Party
Writing team
John Sullivan Writer
Production team
Dewi Humphreys Director
Gareth Gwenlan Producer
Mark Freeland Executive Producer
John Sullivan Executive Producer
Chris Wadsworth Editor
David Hitchcock Production Designer

Videos

Alberto Gives Del Some Good Advice

Alberto gives Del some good advice on girls, which he shares with the lads.

View this clip on the BBC website

Featuring: James Buckley (Del Boy), Ashley Gerlach (Denzil), Stephen Lloyd (Boycie), Lee Long (Jumbo Mills), Lewis Osborne (Trigger) & Jonathan Readwin (Albie Littlewood).

D.I. Thomas Questions Fred and Jelly

Fred and Jelly have been detained at Wormwood Scrubs by Fred's nemesis D.I. Thomas.

View this clip on the BBC website

Featuring: Tom Brooke (DC Stanton), Nicholas Lyndhurst (Freddie 'The Frog' Robdal), Paul Putner (Gerald 'Jelly' Kelly) & Mel Smith (DI Thomas).

Christmas Day Round The Trotters

The Trotters celebrate Christmas 1960.

View this clip on the BBC website

Featuring: Kellie Bright (Joan Trotter), James Buckley (Del Boy) & Phil Daniels (Edward 'Ted' Trotter).

Fred And Joan Meet In The Cafe

Freddie Robdal and Joan Trotter have a chance meeting when Fred is released on bail.

View this clip on the BBC website

Featuring: Kellie Bright (Joan Trotter) & Nicholas Lyndhurst (Freddie 'The Frog' Robdal).

Behind-the-Scenes Interviews

Behind the scenes of the period drama Rock & Chips. With interviews from the cast and creative team behind the series.

View this clip on the BBC website

Featuring: Joan Hodges (Gwen), Nicholas Lyndhurst (Freddie 'The Frog' Robdal), John Sullivan & Gareth Gwenlan.

Behind-the-Scenes - Origins

Behind the scenes of the period drama Rock & Chips. With interviews from the cast and creative team describing the origins of the series.

View this clip on the BBC website

Featuring: Bobby Bragg (Don), Shaun Dingwall (Reg Trotter), Nicholas Lyndhurst (Freddie 'The Frog' Robdal), Alison Pargeter (Val), Mel Smith (DI Thomas), John Sullivan & Gareth Gwenlan.

Rock & Chips - Five Gold Rings - Trailer

A trailer for the second Rock & Chips special.

Featuring: James Buckley (Del Boy) & Shaun Dingwall (Reg Trotter).

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