Paul Whitehouse will return to star as Grandad in the West End hit Only Fools and Horses The Musical for four months from 6 January next year. This news comes as the show’s run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket is extended for a further two months until the end of April following continued demand for tickets. The show - which opened in February this year to an array of fantastic reviews - has sold over 300,000 tickets so far.
Paul Whitehouse said: “I’m delighted to be returning to Only Fools and Horses The Musical in the New Year to take up the role of Grandad again. It has been a real honour to watch the success of the show grow since the very beginning. The show has received an incredible amount of love from fans since it opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket back in February and to hear it’s been extended AGAIN for a third time is music to all of our ears. I can’t wait to be back. Mange tout!”
Fans and critics alike have been praising the show in their droves. The Sunday Times bestowed four stars and remarked that “Only Fools is a blast from our wide-boy past. A hearty stage adaptation of the 1980s BBC television comedy”. Evening Standard also awarded four stars, complimenting the “unashamedly British night out. A jubilant lovely jubbly!” While Daily Mail urged its readers to “raise a glass of Tittinger to Del Boy and Rodney as Only Fools and Horses storms the West End!”
It has just been announced that in the 2019 BroadwayWorld UK Awards that Tom Bennett has been nominated in the ‘Best Actor in a New Production of a Musical’ category for his portrayl of Del Boy and Paul Whitehouse has also been nominated in the ‘Best Supporting Actor in a New Production of a Musical’ category for his role as Grandad.
John Sullivan’s iconic and record-breaking television series has been turned into a home-grown West End musical spectacular. With a script and original score by John’s son, Jim Sullivan and Paul Whitehouse, the musical reacquaints fans with Britain’s most loveable rogues, to experience the classic comedy brought to life once again through 20 ingenious and hilarious songs.
Paul Whitehouse will take centre stage as Grandad, reuniting with Tom Bennett (Del Boy) and Ryan Hutton (Rodney) in this unique showstopper, featuring cherished material from the TV series. Join us as we take a trip back to 1989, where it’s all kicking off in Peckham. Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Only Fools and Horses The Musical also features many of the hugely loveable TV characters: Raquel, Cassandra, Trigger, Boycie, Marlene, Denzil, Mickey Pearce, Mike the Barman and the dreaded Driscoll Brothers.
With musical contributions from Chas 'n' Dave, Only Fools and Horses The Musical is a feel-good family celebration of traditional working class London life.
New tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, November 1 here.
