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Nicholas Lyndhurst (born 20 April 1961) is an English actor whose career began as a child performer and who became one of Britain’s best‑known television actors. He is most famous for playing Rodney Trotter in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003). Lyndhurst trained at the Corona Theatre School and made early screen appearances in productions such as the BBC adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper (1976). Across the 1980s and 1990s he took leading roles in sitcoms and comedies including Butterflies, The Two of Us and the time‑travel sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart. He has continued to work in television drama and theatre, appeared in feature films, and returned to high‑profile series work in the 2010s and 2020s, including the BBC’s New Tricks and the 2023 revival of Frasier.

... Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst was born on 20 April 1961 and grew up in Emsworth, Hampshire. A child actor trained at the Corona Theatre School, he made his screen debut in the early 1970s and gained national attention for television work from the late 1970s onward. Lyndhurst’s breakthrough and defining role came as Rodney Trotter in John Sullivan’s Only Fools and Horses, a part he played from the series’ 1981 launch through its final 2003 special and various reunions. He established himself as a versatile lead in sitcoms after that—most notably as Adam Parkinson in Carla Lane’s Butterflies, as Ashley Phillips in ITV’s The Two of Us, and as Gary Sparrow in the time‑travel sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart. Lyndhurst has also worked in straight drama, television adaptations and on stage; his stage work includes musicals with English National Opera. In the 2010s he took the lead in the Only Fools prequel Rock & Chips and later joined the cast of the BBC procedural New Tricks. In 2023 he was cast in the revival series Frasier as Professor Alan Cornwall. Off screen Lyndhurst is married to Lucy Jane Smith (since 1999) and was the father of the late actor Archie Lyndhurst. He lives in West Wittering, West Sussex, and has interests that include diving, beekeeping and flying small aircraft. Then & Now The 1980s In the 1980s Nicholas Lyndhurst became a household name through his breakthrough and defining role as Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, which launched in 1981 and made him one of Britain’s best‑known television actors. He consolidated his sitcom credentials with leading parts in series such as Butterflies and, later in the decade, The Two of Us, showcasing a gift for comic timing and character work. Across the decade he moved from promising young actor to established TV star, helping to shape British comedy and earning national recognition. Now (2026) As of 2026 Lyndhurst remains an active and respected figure in British entertainment, continuing to work in television, theatre and occasional film projects and returning to high‑profile series work in the 2010s and 2020s, including New Tricks and the 2023 revival of Frasier. Though best remembered for Rodney Trotter, his career — from child performer to veteran lead — is noted for its versatility across sitcom and drama. He is regarded as a durable presence of British television whose performances continue to be celebrated by audiences and peers alike. Career timeline 1961 Born (20 April 1961) in Gosport / Emsworth area, Hampshire, England 1973 Screen debut in the film Bequest to the Nation (uncredited role) 1976 Played Tom Canty / Prince Edward in the BBC adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper 1978–1983 Featured as Adam Parkinson in Carla Lane’s sitcom Butterflies 1981 First appeared as Rodney Trotter in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses 1986–1990 Starred as Ashley Phillips in the ITV sitcom The Two of Us 1993–1999 Lead role as Gary Sparrow in the sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart (one‑off revival in 2016) 2010–2011 Played Freddie Robdal in the Only Fools prequel series Rock & Chips 2013–2015 Joined the regular cast of the BBC drama series New Tricks 2023 Cast as Professor Alan Cornwall in the revival series Frasier Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Only Fools and Horses – BBC Public biography and credit reference.The Two of Us – BBC Public biography and credit reference.Nicholas Lyndhurst — Wikipedia Biographical and credit details were checked against Only Fools and Horses – BBC, The Two of Us – BBC, Nicholas Lyndhurst — Wikipedia.