'Delighted': Actor David Jason unites with 52-year-old daughter he never knew he had
LONDON, ENGLAND: Sir David Jason is ecstatic to know that he has a 52-year-old daughter and a grandchild who he did not know anything about, according to reports. The 83-year-old actor, who is best known for his role as Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the BBC sitcom 'Only Fools and Horses', has been overwhelmed by sudden gaiety after coming to know that he is father to actress Abi Harris and grandfather to Charlie, 10.
Jason said that he has welcomed both of them to his family with open arms and is making up for lost time now. The actor thought he became a father for the first time in 2001 at the age of 61 when his then-partner and now-wife, Lady Gill Hinchcliffe, gave birth to their daughter, Sophie Mae. But little did he know that he was also father to Abi Harris, who was born more than three decades before Sophie in 1970.
READ MORE
'The Last Of Us' star Bella Ramsey reveals she was once rejected for not having the 'Hollywood look'
Love is in the Air! Jennifer Lopez steals steamy kiss from Ben Affleck at LA red carpet
Who is Abi Harris?
Abi Harris was reportedly born in 1970 after her mother, the actor Jennifer Hill, had a brief relationship with Jason. Jennifer Hill is best known for appearing in the James Bond movie 'Octopussy'. It has been reported that Abi apparently started to suspect the TV star might be her real father and wrote to him to explain.
Sir David Jason reveals his 'surprise and delight' after discovering he has a 52-year-old daughter named Abi Harris(second picture) and a grandson, 10, he had no idea existed. Link to article👇 via Daily Mail🍹https://t.co/Sfxi0ZLHKv#davidjason#onlyfoolsandhorses #ofah pic.twitter.com/L8VN9sqHqE
— Only Fools And Horses Clips (@foolshorses_) March 28, 2023
David Jason's response
"To say it was a surprise to find out I had a daughter from years ago is an understatement," the actor told The Mirror. "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."
David Jason and Jennifer Hill's relationship
Sir Jason and Hill fell for each other at the start of 1970, when they were both starring in the Dylan Thomas play 'Under Milk Wood' in London. Abi was born in October of that year. She and Jason have crossed paths several times since but he had no idea they were related. Abi's mother Jennifer was married to Shakespearean stage actor Geoffrey Davion, who also appeared in 'Miss Marple' and 'The Stars Look Down'.
Jennifer Hill believed that Davion was Abi's real father until his death in 1996.
Abi's doubts
The actor and Jennifer reunited for a reprisal of 'Under Milk Wood', in which Abi also starred. Abi started to suspect the truth about her heritage after having several conversations with her mother in the following years and comments about similarities in their looks. She eventually wrote to the star, who agreed to take a paternity test.
"In discovering my father's identity, I am starting to piece together my own," she told the Mirror. "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."