BBC Studios and Royal Mail seal licensing deal to launch Only Fools and Horses Special Stamp issue marking 40th anniversary
The show follows the exploits of wheeler-dealer Del Trotter, his hapless younger brother, Rodney, their Grandad and later their Uncle Albert. It now has a regular slot on Gold and is a firm favourite with viewers – consistently one of the most-watched shows on the UKTV–owned channel.
By 1985 the series was such a success that it had earned a feature-length Christmas episode: ‘To Hull and Back’. From then on, Only Fools became a regular Christmas Day highlight for millions of people, from all walks of life.
The impact of Only Fools and Horses on the life of the nation is demonstrated by many of the show’s catchphrases and words having entered common usage. In 2003, the most popular of these, ‘lovely jubbly’, was listed in the Oxford English Dictionary.
To mark the 40th anniversary, the eight stamps feature classic Only Fools and Horses scenes and one-liners, while a further four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, depict the main Trotter family characters as individual stamps; Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad and Uncle Albert with a catchphrase for each.
The stamps and a range of collectibles are available for pre-order at www.royalmail.com/onlyfoolsandhorses, by phone on 03457 641641 and 7,000 Post Offices across the UK. The full set of 12 stamps, available in a Presentation Pack, retails at £16.20. The stamps go on general sale from 16 February 2021.
Further partnerships will see the launch of the first ever official Only Fools and Horses online store hosted by licensee Push Entertainment, for bespoke print on demand gifting, homewares, apparel and stationary inspired by the series. Available soon at www.onlyfoolsandhorses.shop
BBC Studios has also renewed its Only Fools and Horses plush licence with 8th Wonder which has had great retail support across gifting trade.
Jason Easy, Head of Licencing at BBC Studios said: “ We are thrilled to be partnering with Royal Mail in celebration of the Only Fools and Horses 40th Anniversary to launch this wonderful stamp collection in celebration of the milestone. We are also hugely excited to be working with Push Entertainment to deliver the first ever official Only Fools and Horses online store, and to renew our Only Fools plush licence with 8th Wonder. All adding to the Only Fools portfolio for fans and collectors to enjoy”.
For more information contact: Emma.Burch@bbc.com
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC Studios has offices in 22 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2500 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Amazon and China Mobile, is a champion for British creativity around the world. It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles. To the BBC, BBC Studios contributes both cash dividends and funds for programme-making, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences.
About Royal Mail Special Stamps
For more than 50 years Royal Mail’s Special Stamp programme has commemorated anniversaries and celebrated events relevant to UK heritage and life. Today, there are an estimated 2.5 million stamp collectors and gift givers in the UK and millions worldwide. Her Majesty The Queen approves all UK stamp designs before they are issued.
About Royal Mail plc
Royal Mail plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK’s designated universal postal service provider. UK Parcels, International and Letters (“UKPIL”) comprises the company’s UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the “Royal Mail” and “Parcelforce Worldwide” brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to more than 29 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. Royal Mail also owns General Logistics Systems (GLS) which operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.