Sir David Jason finds it “difficult to cope” with fame.
Sir David Jason
The 80-year-old actor has been a household name for decades thanks to his starring roles in shows such as ‘Only Fools and Horses’, but he has admitted there’s nothing he hates more than being recognised in public, because he doesn’t know how to deal with people giving him “compliments”.
He said: “Whenever I have to go anywhere and walk down the street I have got this sort of big coat that I put on and pull up the collar.
“I have this big cap that I pull right the way down. So all you can see is two little eyeballs. Now we have got this dreaded Covid- 19 and I have to wear a mask, so I can go anywhere, so I am really Mr Anonymous.
“What really happens is that I avoid going out to meals and shopping, because I find it is difficult to cope with people giving me compliments.”
David insisted he isn’t “embarrassed” by the people who recognise him, but finds being the centre of attention “extremely difficult”.
Speaking on BBC Radio, he added: “It doesn’t embarrass me – I like it, but it puts me on a spot and my confidence is not as strong as it should be. These ceremonies where you are asked to go to the red carpet with hundreds of photographers, I find that extremely difficult.”
Meanwhile, David recently spoke about finding fame overseas in the US too, where he is better known for voicing Danger Mouse in the cartoon of the same name, rather than his ‘Only Fools and Horses’ character, Del Boy.
He said: "We didn't know 'Danger Mouse' was so popular in the States.
"A couple of years ago I had to go to the American embassy to get a work visa. You know what it's like - long queues, very official.
"What my turn at the little window came, the man said, 'Is your name David Jason? Did you play Danger Mouse?'
"He almost fell over backwards. Well, he couldn't get me stamped quick enough. He wanted to shake every one of my limbs."
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