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s e tion was held in his honour – and the home of the country’s top football team, Red Star Belgrade.
John, 79, adds: “I also went to a famous motor museum and guess what was waiting – a little yellow van.
“They’re looking for every chance to make some money particularly in these difficult times so they identify with Del.”
He also got to grips with some Serbian customs.
John says: “I went to the top brandy maker and I had to kiss everyone on the cheek three times, both sides.
“I did more kissing than I’ve done for a very long time... the trouble was they were all men!”
John also puts Only Fools’ enduring appeal down to its late writer John Sullivan, who cleverly balanced the humour and made sure serious issues were handled with a light touch.
“He had so much heart about his writing, he was a big family man and a south Londoner,” says John.
Smile
“But he wrote about difficult things – Boycie and Marlene’s trouble having a child which is a big problem but he’d make you smile about it. This is the key.
“He never wanted his characters to swear. You could watch with the whole family.”
While John enjoys modern shows like Peter Kay’s Car Share, he feels that a lot of comedy
on the box now is lacking heart. “I’m the generation I am and Fawlty Towers and Porridge are my sort of comedy,” he says.
“A lot of modern comedy is very clever but it’s rather pleased with itself. You think it’s well observed but after time you just go: ‘Ooh, I think I’d like to watch something else now.’”
He will probably watch this year’s I’m A Celebrity, after the filming location was confirmed as Gwrych Castle in north Wales – not too far from where he lives with fourth wife Carol near the Shropshire border.
John says: “We pass it a lot. It’s a ruin and falling apart but it’s a remarkable place.
“So I’m pleased that I’m A Celebrity is there as that will be a big bunch of money and they might be able to finish doing the roof.
“In the early days I was approached to do I’m A Celebrity but I don’t think I’d last long.
“I get extremely grumpy at lack of food and I think you have to be pretty physically fit.
“Strictly Come Dancing was another suggestion but that was out as I can’t dance.”
Gwrych Castle is reportedly haunted, although as we revealed, that’s being downplayed to avoid putting off contestants.
So does John think there’s anything going bump in the night? “I wouldn’t be surprised if it is haunted,” he says. “But I’ve not seen or felt anything apart from someone coming round trying to charge us for the car park.”
● Boycie In Belgrade is out on DVD and Blu-ray on September 4.