Raquel Turner - Only Fool's Favourite Significant Other!

Tessa Peake-Jones first burst onto our screens in Only Fools and Horses, the classic British comedy, in the 1988 Christmas special, Dates. Playing the role of actress Raquel Turner who meets Del Boy (played by legendary actor David Jason) through a dating agency for a blind date, under the clock at Waterloo Station. In true Del Boy style naturally his bouquet of flowers for Raquel is larger than life!

Set in Peckham in South-East London, Only Fool's first appeared on the BBC in 1981. Market trader Del Boy Trotter along with his younger brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) constantly attempt to get rich. With their sidekick, their Grandad (Lennard Pearce) and from series 4 their Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield). Created and written by John Sullivan. Sullivan wrote in the character of Raquel as he decided he wanted the sitcom to have more female characters and for Del Boy to have a long term relationship.

Raquel Turner a talented actress and performer whose showbusiness career never really took off, was originally meant to appear in just the 1988 Christmas special, but Sullivan wrote her in again for 1989s The Jolly Boys' Outing Christmas special, following which Raquel became a permanent much loved cast member.

Tessa Peake-Jones then appeared in the whole of series 7 and all of the following Specials. Raquel moved in with Del Boy, to his flat at Nelson Mandela House, they had a son, Damien Derek Trotter. The character of Raquel was quite timid at first, but we soon see her toughen up, taking no nonsense from Del Boy and voicing her strong feminist views and opinions.

Raquel truly loved Del Boy, it was adorable to see him supporting her dreams and ambitions, being a dreamer himself they were the perfect pair. "This time next year we'll be millionaires," was a favourite Del Boy quote!

Through the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs, becoming millionaires and the loss of their fortune, Del and Raquels love remained strong. "I love you Trotter," Raquel would say, much to Dels delight! Calling those the magic words!

Raquel had many fantastic humorous lines, one of my favourite being whilst talking to Rodney's wife Cassandra (Gwyneth Strong) and whilst referring to Del and Rodney's behaviour Cassandra asks Raquel "Why do they do that?" without missing a beat Raquel replies, "It's like I've told you, Cassandra. Women are from Venus, men are from Peckham" Classic!

Another classic line was whilst giving birth to Damien and Raquel snaps at Del Boy "Don't you ever come near me again, Trotter!"

Raquel is reunited with her parents James and Audrey in the 1996 Christmas special Time On Our Hands, the episode was the final part of a Christmas trilogy, which attracted a TV audience of 24.3 million. The episode which saw the Trotters finally becoming millionaires. James, an antique dealer spots an old pocket watch which had the name 'Harrison' engraved on it. James believe it to be a much sought after missing piece; he was correct!

Tessa Peake-Jones was born on the 9th May 1957 in Hammersmith, London. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She split from her partner of 27 years in 2013, Douglas Hodge. Tessa has two children. Her other acting credits include Holby City, The Demon Headmaster, Casualty and Midsomer Murders. But Tessa is of course best known for playing Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter's 'significant other' Raquel, from 1988 to 2003s final episode Sleepless In Peckham, but what a role to be best known for! Forever cemented in a timeless British comedy, which is often shown on our TV screens to this day. Only Fool's is so well written, with an incredible cast, it is truly in a comedy league all of its own.