David Jason reveals tear-jerking gift late comedy partner Ronnie Barker left him

Legendary actor has revealed the wonderful move old pal Ronnie Barker made following his retirement.

David, who is best known for his roles on and Touch Of Frost, opened up to on his radio show. He explained how his former Open All Hours co-star passed down his iconic nickname once he stepped back from acting.

Ronnie, who in 2005 following a long history of heart trouble, passed down the nickname to David - and even printed a certificate when doing so. The touching gesture, David says, now sits in his downstairs toilet.

Talking to Chris about the gesture and his friendship with Ronnie, David said: "Well, it’s a well-known fact that I used to call him The Governor. And he was. What was really good about Ronnie Barker, and why he was so lovely – he and I became very good friends during Open All Hours – but the main reason why I liked him so much is that he had time for everybody.

"And he was the nicest guy that you could possibly meet, and he was at the top of his tree, for me, which is comedy acting, and I just got used to calling him The Governor. And so, because of that, later on when he retired, he wrote me a certificate, if you like, in wonderful old-fashioned writing."

When Chris asked if it was in calligraphy, David responded to confirm and reveal it was "about a foot wide by about two foot long."

He went on to say the message read: "It's all done here, here by Sir Ronnie Barker, here with under following messages will give to his honourable friend, Sir David Jason, the title of The Governor I shall now relinquish.’”

David went on to say one of Ronnie's greatest strengths was his generosity to the entire team he worked with.

"He knew that the only way you can get a successful show is to incorporate and encourage the team that you have. So, he had time for everybody, and he was generous of spirit and of time. And because you do hear – no names, no pack drill – mainly some of the big names coming out of Hollywood who can be extremely difficult and a pain."

David's comments come after he confessed two British actors were behind his failed dream to crack Hollywood. He revealed he was up for two lead roles in movies in 2023, but failed to land either. Instead, fellow countrymen Jim Broadbent and Sir Michael Caine are said to have stood in his way.

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