Sir David Jason's heartbreak as health issues force him to sacrifice 'big part of life'

Sir David Jason has spoken candidly about the distress of giving up one of his favourite hobbies due to his struggles with mobility.

The 84-year-old Only Fools and Horses star, who obtained his helicopter pilot's licence in 2005, was forced to sell his cherished Robinson R44 with "extreme reluctance" last year as pain in his limbs made flying increasingly difficult.

In his memoir, This Time Next Year, he explained: "The fact is, you need your hips, legs and knees to be in pretty tip-top condition for helicopter flying. Also your arms and shoulders.

"It's rather like playing a drum kit in that regard, although the consequences of getting out of time during the second verse are quite a bit graver.

"I realised I was getting increasingly uncomfortable up there in the air. Having to push the physical part of the task was taking some of the joy out of it. Clearly it was time to step away while I was still capable of stepping."

David expressed his sorrow at having to give up his beloved hobby, adding via the Express: "Flying that helicopter was a big part of my life. It was a lot of fun, obviously, but also just the most satisfying accomplishment.

"Some people have the piano, and some people have oil painting. I had the helicopter and it's over now, but I'll always be proud that I can call myself a qualified helicopter pilot."

In an interview with the Sunday Times, David revealed that undergoing a hip replacement last year significantly contributed to his decreased mobility, ultimately leading to his decision to stop flying. He remarked: "My memory isn't what it used to be ... Most of us reach this point when things aren't quite as bright as they used to be.

"Mind you, I don't wear a hearing aid, I don't wear glasses, and I've only had to replace one bit of my body (a hip replacement), so I'm not doing too bad."

The actor also opened up in his book about discovering that 53-year-old actress Abi Harris is his biological daughter. The truth emerged just two years ago after Abi wrote him a letter expressing her hunch that he could be her father, a suspicion rooted in his brief 1970s romance with her mother, Jennifer Hill.

David has spoken openly about how their relationship has progressed, sharing: "It was very nerve-racking, but we got over that and have been working and building a relationship ever since. Abi was only here about a week ago. We had a birthday party for her and her lad (son Charlie)."

He added with a chuckle: "I'm not a great game player, but that's all Charlie loves to do. Him and my wife and daughter, as soon as they get here, they sit around the table, get the games out, and they're off."