“I WAS SO WEAK, I COULDN’T GET UP”: SIR DAVID JASON’S TERRIFYING NIGHT DURING A SERIOUS COVID BATTLE

The beloved Only Fools and Horses star once revealed how a severe bout of COVID-19 left him collapsed on the floor, struggling to move and desperately trying to reach the door for help. His account offered fans a rare glimpse of a frightening experience far removed from the laughter he brought to millions.

For generations of television viewers, Sir David Jason has been the face of comedy, best remembered as the quick-witted Del Boy Trotter in Only Fools and Horses.

But in October 2022, the much-loved actor shared a deeply personal account of an experience that was anything but funny.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, David revealed that a severe bout of COVID-19 had left him so physically weak that he collapsed while getting out of bed in the middle of the night. Unable to stand, he struggled to move across the floor and eventually had to find an unusual way to reach the door.

His account shocked fans who were accustomed to seeing him bring humour and energy to the screen.

“I WAS SO WEAK, I COULDN’T GET UP”

David explained that he had managed to avoid COVID-19 for much of the pandemic before contracting the virus in July 2022.

The illness affected him far more severely than he had expected.

“I got it seriously bad,” he told the BBC.

He recalled getting out of bed during the night and collapsing against a radiator. His muscles felt so weak that he could not get himself back up.

He tried using the bed for support, hoping to regain his footing, but his efforts were unsuccessful.

For around 15 minutes, he attempted different ways of standing and moving, only to discover that his body would not cooperate.

It was a frightening experience for the actor, who suddenly found himself unable to carry out even the simplest movements without considerable effort.

A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO REACH THE DOOR

Unable to stand, David tried to make his way towards the door so he could call for help.

His arms and legs were too weak to move as he needed them to, forcing him to improvise.

He described crawling along the floor and using his head to help pull himself forward. Comparing the movement to a walrus crawling on land, he explained how he struggled towards the doorway.

The image was a stark contrast to the familiar comic character fans knew so well.

David kept going, determined to reach the door despite his exhaustion and physical weakness.

Then, just as he arrived, the door opened.

His wife, Gill Hinchcliffe, had returned home and was able to help him back into bed.

The ordeal had left visible marks. The following day, David discovered carpet burns across his forehead and the top of his nose.

It was a deeply unsettling episode that he later recounted with his characteristic storytelling ability, even while describing how vulnerable he had felt.

HIS WIFE ARRIVED AT A CRUCIAL MOMENT

For David, reaching the door was an attempt to get the assistance he desperately needed.

The timing of his wife’s arrival meant he did not have to continue struggling alone.

Although he shared the story publicly with humour in parts, the underlying experience was serious: he had been so unwell that he could not get himself off the floor.

His account also highlighted how important support from loved ones can be when illness leaves someone unable to manage everyday tasks independently.

THE MAN BEHIND DEL BOY

David Jason’s career has spanned decades, earning him a special place in British entertainment.

His portrayal of Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses became one of the country’s most recognisable television performances. He also starred in Open All Hours and the detective drama A Touch of Frost.

Fans have long associated him with laughter, sharp one-liners and unforgettable comic moments.

His account of the COVID-19 episode revealed a different side of the actor: a man facing a frightening illness and trying to find a way to call for help.

For many viewers, the story was a reminder that the people who bring joy to audiences also experience difficult and vulnerable moments away from the spotlight.

A PAST HEALTH SCARE — NOT A NEW EMERGENCY

David’s account was shared publicly in October 2022, when he was 82. Reports at the time said he had recovered from the illness.

The story continues to attract attention because of the vivid details of his experience, but it should not be mistaken for a new report that the actor has collapsed or is currently critically ill.

His recollection remains a powerful account of how severely COVID-19 affected him during that period.

A STORY THAT LEFT FANS CONCERNED

For admirers who have spent years watching David Jason make people laugh, it was difficult to imagine him lying helplessly on the floor, struggling to reach a door.

Yet his willingness to describe the experience gave audiences a glimpse of a deeply human moment behind the familiar television persona.

His story was not simply about an illness. It was about a frightening night, the determination to seek help and the relief of having someone arrive when he needed them.

Sir David Jason has given generations of viewers countless reasons to smile. His honest account of that night in 2022 reminded fans that even the most familiar and much-loved stars can face moments of profound vulnerability — and that the support of loved ones can make all the difference.

*Sources: BBC News — Sir David Jason describes his COVID-19 collapse; The Independent — Actor recalls being unable to get up; The Standard — His account of a serious COVID-19 illness.