Sir David Jason has made the shock discovery he has a 52-year-old daughter he didn't know existed.
Sir David Jason has made the shock discovery he has a 52-year-old daughter he didn't know existed
The 'Only Fools and Horses' legend, 83, recently found out he is the father of actress Abi Harris and a grandfather to her 10-year-old son Charlie, and David's wife Lady Gill White, 62, and 22-year-old daughter Sophie, have welcomed the pair into their family with open arms.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "To say it was a surprise to find out I had a daughter from years ago is an understatement.
"However, on settling with the news, I am delighted that I am now able to get to know Abi and so we meet up when we can.
"My wife, Gill, and daughter, Sophie, have been very supportive and understanding and have embraced Abi and welcomed her and her young son into her now wider family."
Abi - who has appeared in 'Doctor Who: The Eighth of March' - was born in October 1970 after David had a brief relationship with her mum, actress Jennifer Hill, who he starred alongside in Dylan Thomas’s 'Under Milk Wood' at London’s May Fair theatre.
David spent some time with Abi and Charlie over the festive period at his home in Ellesborough, Buckinghamshire.
The 'Open All Hours' star is said to have gifted Charlie a John Lewis Build Your Own Electronics Set for Christmas.
Charlie is also said to enjoy repairing items in the 'A Touch of Frost' actor's workshop, and likes helping him to collect eggs laid by David's chickens.
A source told the publication: "It’s early days, but they are meeting up when they can during holidays.
"They want to become closer until things feel even more open and relaxed. And now there are two new sisters who want to get to know each other, too."
Abi had an inkling David might be her biological father after hearing about her time with Jennifer - who starred in 'Doctor Who' and 1983 James Bond film 'Octopussy' - and she noticed she had a similar shaped nose to 'The Darling Buds of May' star.
She decided to write David a letter, quoting a line from Dylan's play, and asked if would take a paternity test, which he agreed to.
After the result showed he was Abi's father, the pair met up at the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, Central London.
Abi has admitted she feels "tickled pink and incredibly proud" at discovering David is her dad, but is also "completely overwhelmed with sorrow" for the years she didn't know.
She said: "In discovering my father’s identity, I am starting to piece together my own.
"Of course, I am tickled pink and incredibly proud but, frequently, completely overwhelmed with sorrow for the years we have lost.
"After a measured start, now I hope we can consciously make time to see each other more often, so that I can master the art of being the best big sister and build a meaningful father-daughter relationship in its truest sense."
Abi had believed Jennifer's husband, 'Miss Marple' actor Geoffrey Davion, was her dad until he passed away in 1996.
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