Jason drops possible 'retirement' bombshell

TV favourite David Jason shocked the showbiz world when he announced he was thinking of retiring.

The 63-year-old star said it may be time for him to quit the acting business.

Jason made his announcement at the National Television Awards last night where he picked up the most popular drama award for A Touch Of Frost.

He has played the role of grumpy detective DI Jack Frost for the past 11 years.

“You reach a point when there are only so many times you can say, ‘Time of death’,” he said.

“When a show is still popular you do want to continue but Frost should retire now and maybe I should retire.”

The news will come as a shock to fans of Jason, best loved for his role as Del Boy in Only Fools And Horses.

His other classic shows include Open All Hours, Porterhouse Blue and The Darling Buds Of May.

Jason missed out on the most popular actor award last night, which went instead to EastEnders star Shane Richie.

Richie said: “Being the most popular doesn’t mean you’re the best. One of my heroes is David Jason and I like to think one day I’ll be as good as David because to me, he’s the best.”

Jason’s plans may have something to do with his newest role – as a father.

The star became a dad to daughter Sophie Mae two years ago at the age of 61 and he may want to devote more time to fatherhood and his partner, Gill Hinchcliffe.

He could also be planning a career behind the camera. Jason made his directorial debut last year with ITV drama The Quest.

Earlier this year, Jason was awarded a Bafta Fellowship and he said then: “I was sitting down there wondering if this is Bafta’s way of saying it’s time to move over and give someone else a chance. Is it my retirement?”