David Jason: My Life Audio CD – Unabridged, 10 Oct. 2013

I've always liked David Jason, he's an incredibly talented actor who's been able to perform a multitude of different roles. But I didn't realise how many until I read this book.This must be one of the best autobiographies I've read. It's funny, engaging, detailed and tells the story of David's life, from childhood all the way up to recent events. It's also an eye-opener, I didn't realise how many theatre productions he was in, nor the path taken to become an actor. One thing I liked in particular is that he doesn't have a bad word to say about anyone - and it's really impressive the number of famous actors he's worked with. (I don't want to write too much as it'll spoil the story).Highly engaging, witty and hard to put down once you've started! A must read for both fans and budding actors alike.Strongly recommended!

David starts by telling us about his childhood and family, his school life and home and his introduction to amateur dramatics all of which helps us to imagine what shaped him as an actor. He describes in detail the efforts, doubts and trials he put himself through to be secure acting parts and the lengths he was prepared to go to to achieve his goal. The stories of his early professional life are both poignant and humorous with many tidbits about well-known comedians and actors of the 70's and 80's. He particularly writes a lot about his great respect for Ronnie Barker, the Guv'nor. There is plenty of enjoyable comment on Only Fools, Darling Buds, Open All Hours and Frost and the success they bought him leading to a BAFTA and finally a Knighthood, David's writing describes his amazing life in TV, film and theatre as well as his personal journey. Towards the end we hear his story of meeting with wife Gill, the subsequent birth of Sophie-Mae and their marriage which he tells with great appreciation. A really absorbing autobiography of a person who has been with us for so many years on the screen.

Easy to read, although it didn't always scan well. Could do with being proof reading from someone else, roll on the next book

The long awaited autobiography of probably the most successful comic actor in the history of television, becoming 'The Guv'nor' after Ronnie Barker's retirement, certainly lives up to expectations. Sir David is a modest man who worked hard first as an amateur then professional actor before become a major star in the 1980s. After an early success with the role of Captain Fantastic in Do Not Adjust Your Set, he had to wait over a decade before starring in the short-lived hit comedy A Sharp Intake of Breath. In his forties he hit the big time with the supporting role of Granville in Open All Hours before major stardom followed with lead roles in such diverse series as Only Fools and Horses, A Bit of A Do, The Darling Buds of May and A Touch of Frost, as well as winning a BAFTA for the portrayal of Scullion in Porterhouse Blue.The book is generally upbeat despite a surprising number of near death experiences and visits to hospital casualty departments. Fans of the Monty Python team and Terry Scott will be disappointed by the way they treated the writer.Sir David appears content with his late entry into marriage and fatherhood, after the tragic death of long-time girlfiend, the Welsh actress Myfanwy Talog. He seems to have been a victim of phone hacking when Miss Talog was terminally ill. The book contains a factual error. The comedy duo Myfanwy worked with were Ryan and Ronnie not Rees and Ronnie.Sir David tells several stories about Only Fools and Horse but does not mention that he planned to leave the series before changing his mind. It would have been interesting to know why he made the original decision and what caused him to think again.. The story ends with his marriage and being knighted by the Queen. the events happening on consecutive days. Later series like Diamond Geezer and The Royal Bodyguard are not part of the narrativeA very entertaining book by an unassuming star. My Life deserves to be a best seller.

David Jason's book is a master piece of writing, I enjoyed every page that I read and while reading the book it was almost like that in my head I could hear David Jason's voice reading his story to me.I found his story, funny, sad, happy and very honest and down to earth in the way that he wrote his life story for his fans, someone who has worked his way up in life, enjoyed the rewards for his of his efforts and at the same time showing that he can be and still is a born joker to this day and keeping his feet firmly on the ground throughout his life and giving credit to everyone who has helped him in achieving his goals so far..Hopefully there will be a follow up book and we will see some more of his work on TV or on the stage in the West End of London sometime soon.

As an OFAH fan, I was compelled to buy this and have one chapter to go at the time of writing. Was gutted that I was in London at the Waterstones he was due to be in to sign his book the day after I was there. One of the few famous people I would actually want to meet and I get to really feel an insight of the man. Found out I too have similarities to him being half Welsh and originally from North London, but that is where the similarities end as he is of course one of the best actors of our time. Also a fan of his work in Open all Hours but not so much Touch of Frost, but then this again was also interesting in the way that Touch of Frost was his idea that he pitched to TV Producers and reading about his experiences as an electrician and jobbing all over the world and his difficult relationship with certain actors like Leslie Phillips shows the struggles that he had to really get artistic fame for those loveable characters that stand the test of time. Also interesting how his professional career has been influenced by Ronnie Barker whom he called 'the guvnor' and helped others in return like 'Catherine Zeta Jones'.Would highly recommend to any OFAH fan or any of his programmes and also those who get inspiration from those who never give up especially after going through a cancer ordeal with his wife. Full of highs and lows. A page turner that will almost make you feel like you are having a pint with the man.

Loved this ebook. It is packed with interesting anecdotes, and David Jason comes across as a truly decent, talented, loveable human being

Such an awesome, down to Earth guy. I had no idea when i first watched, Dangermouse, in the 80s, that David was the voice behind my favorite mouse/hero...seeing him in all his many varied roles over the years i grew to appreciate his talent. Now i've seen all there is to see, and i'm a huge fan. His book was very well written, poignant, funny, sad, deep and shows his gratitude for his chances to become what he did.

A Touch of Frost, Darling Buds and of course Only Fools and Horses. Had some laughs and shed a couple of tears reading this. A great life's story.

I like biographys - & enjoyed reading this. Life of a great actor who learnt all his craft from starting up in amateur dramatics.

David Jason takes us on a journey that starts at Lodge Lane in the London of the forties and ends with a beautiful family. And a helicopter. He gives us a deep insight into what makes him tick, what drove him all these years, why you should always have a plan B and never give up. He takes us on an emotional story that begins with a bombed London and children playing with rubble. Disarmingly honest, he tells us why he never seemed to be able to hold down a relationship when he was young, and, why, later on, he managed to do so with an amazing ease. With him we get to revisit so many great people from film and television between 1960 and today. He tells us about his relationship with Ronnie "The Guv'nor" Barker and how difficult it was to take over a role from Andrew Sachs. About a beautiful relationship with his long-time partner Myfanwy that came to such a tragic end it makes us weep. And, of course, how you get from being an electrician to being a national treasure, Knight Bachelor of the realm. Oh and owning a helicopter.Very well written, this book, similar to Only fools and Horses, is an emotional roller coaster where laughter and tears are ever so close, sometimes but a few lines apart. A pleasure to read.