Only Fools and Horses legend Sir David Jason has recounted the moment he was sacked from his role in a popular BBC sitcom just hours after getting the part.

Sir David is well-known for playing Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter in the hit British sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

He starred alongside Nick Lyndhurst who played Rodney Trotter, Del Boy's brother.

The hit UK series, which follows the Trotter brothers as they try a number of questionable get-rich-quick schemes to become millionaires, ran for 22 years from 1981 to 2003.

It is one of the most loved shows in UK television history.

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But it hasn't always been smooth sailing when it comes to acting roles for Sir David.

Sir David Jason reveals he was fired from hit BBC sitcom

The Only Fools and Horses star revealed he was fired from a role on BBC sitcom Dad's Army just hours after getting the part.

Sir David "nailed" the audition for the part of Lance Corporal Jones and impressed show creators Jimmy Perry and David Croft, according to The Mirror.

However, BBC boss Bill Cotton made the decision to replace him with Clive Dunn.

Sir David Jason was originally cast as Lance Corporal Jones in Dad's Army, a positioned that Club Dunn (far left) ending up playing.Sir David Jason was originally cast as Lance Corporal Jones in Dad's Army, a role that Clive Dunn (far left) ending up playing. (Image: PA) Sir David, in The Mirror, recounted: "I was cast at 12 o'clock and sacked by three."

The British acting legend also said he was turned down for the part of Frank Spencer in another BBC sitcom - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.

In that instance, The Mirror reported, Sir David missed out on the role because BBC chiefs questioned his "star quality".

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Despite missing out on these roles, Sir David's career took off after landing the role of Del Boy on Only Fools and Horses following earlier successes in Open All Hours and Porridge.

Sir David has previously spoken about how he hasn't always been an actor.

One of his first jobs, he revealed, was as an electrician.