Vinnie Jones to make stage debut in the Only Fools and Horses musical

23 September 2024, 14:24

Vinnie Jones, Sam Lupton, Tom Major and Paul Whitehouse for the Only Fools and Horses: The Musical
Vinnie Jones, Sam Lupton, Tom Major and Paul Whitehouse for the Only Fools and Horses: The Musical. Picture: Getty Images

By Mayer Nissim

The ex-football hardman finds the perfect casting.

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Vinnie Jones long ago hung up his football boots in exchange for an acting career, but until now has been focused on the big and small screen.

Now he's set to make his stage debut, and it seems that he has found the perfect role in the Only Fools and Horses musical.

Jones will play terrifying crime lord Danny Driscoll, one of the notorious Driscoll brothers.

Vinnie will take on the role at London's Hammersmith Eventim Apollo from December 17, 2024, to January 5, 2025.

Tickets for these 28 performances are on sale now.

Only Fools and Horses The Musical - Trailer

Vinnie said: "I've always been a fan of Only Fools and Horses, and when my longtime friend Phil McIntyre called me up and said he was interested in me playing the role of Danny Driscoll, I told him to count me in.

"The director C Jay Ranger and her creative team are great and I'm excited to contribute to the legacy of the show."

The play has been written by comedy legend Paul Whitehouse together with Jim Sullivan, and is fully endorsed by the estate of OFAH creator John Sullivan.

Darryl Paul and Vinnie Jones as The Driscoll Brothers
Darryl Paul and Vinnie Jones as The Driscoll Brothers. Picture: Getty Images

Whitehouse himself plays Grandad in the show, with other key roles being played by Sam Lupton (Del Boy), Tom Major (Rodney), Georgina Hagen (Raquel), Craig Berry (Boycie), Nicola Munns (Marlene / Cassandra), Lee VG (Trigger), Bradley John (Denzil), Darryl Paul (Tony Driscoll / Mike the Barman) and Peter Watts (Mickey Pearce).

The show has original music by Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan, with additional music from the late John Sullivan and Chas Hodges, the Chas & Dave legend who died in 2018.

Even if you miss Vinnie's run in the play, you can still catch performances of the rest of the 2024-25 tour around the UK and Ireland, with the run finishing up in June 2025.