The Unlucky Winner Is...
Encyclopedia
"The Unlucky Winner Is..." is an episode of the BBC
sitcom, Only Fools and Horses
. It was the fourth episode of series 6, and was first screened on 29 January, 1989.
has taken an interest in entering competitions, and enters an old painting drawn by Rodney
when he was 14 into one, though without Rodney's knowledge. Rodney's work is selected as one of the winners, and he wins a free holiday to Spain
, but when informing him of his success, Del declines to tell Rodney that he has won in the under-15's category. When at the airport
, Del finally tells Rodney and Cassandra the full details of the prize, namely that the organisers think Rodney is 14. He persuades the two to go along with it, meaning that Rodney has to pretend to be 14 for the week, with Del posing as his father and Cassandra
posing as his common law
stepmother.
The ploy appears to work, despite strange glances from the organisers, especially after it emerges that Del has modified the birth date on Rodney's passport
. However it turns out that the organisers, in order to allow the parents of all the children present (also competition winners) a chance to enjoy the break as well, have set up a club filled with activites for the youngsters to enjoy. As a result, Rodney is basically conscripted into the Groovy Gang, a youth activity group, and is forced to undergo a week of misery as he is forced to take part in a variety of children's activities, such as skateboarding
, where Rodney comes second in the contest and attending a junior disco, where Rodney advanced to the final of the breakdancing contest. If that wasn't bad enough, he has to fight off the affections of a thirteen-year old Bros
fan. Both Rodney and Cassandra are soon miserable (since they can't spend any time together) and are ready to blow the whistle on the lie but Del, who is having a great time, pretends to each of them (separately) that the other is enjoying it.
Whilst on the trip, Del purchases some Spanish lottery
tickets for each of them - to placate Cassandra and Rodney's rage at being duped - and Rodney's numbers win the one million peseta
jackpot. While Cassandra points out that a million pesetas is actually equivalent to only around £6,000, Del and Rodney are still ecstatic at the win, and Del points out that, technically, they've finally become millionaires. The group are then informed by the holiday organisers that they will be unable to claim the prize, since the winning tickets were in Rodney's name and under Spanish law, people under 18 are not allowed to gamble
. Knowing their charade is over and desperately wanting to claim the prize, Rodney - to prove that he really is over 18 - produces his student's card in a desperate attempt to verify he is over 18. The Trotters can then legally claim the prize. However, that has also been modified by Del, meaning the Trotters' windfall can't be won. Del ruefully suggests "It's only money, bruv..." to calm Rodney down. Rodney chases Del out of the bar as the credits roll.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcom, Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003...
. It was the fourth episode of series 6, and was first screened on 29 January, 1989.
Synopsis
Del BoyDel Boy
Derek Edward Trotter, better known as "Del Boy", is the fictional lead character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses and one of the main characters of its prequel, Rock & Chips...
has taken an interest in entering competitions, and enters an old painting drawn by Rodney
Rodney Trotter
Rodney Charlton Trotter is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst.-Personality:Rodney's personality was based on the experiences of series creator John Sullivan, who also had an older sibling and, like Rodney, claimed to have been a dreamer and...
when he was 14 into one, though without Rodney's knowledge. Rodney's work is selected as one of the winners, and he wins a free holiday to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, but when informing him of his success, Del declines to tell Rodney that he has won in the under-15's category. When at the airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
, Del finally tells Rodney and Cassandra the full details of the prize, namely that the organisers think Rodney is 14. He persuades the two to go along with it, meaning that Rodney has to pretend to be 14 for the week, with Del posing as his father and Cassandra
Cassandra Trotter
Cassandra Louise Trotter is a fictional character from the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. She was portrayed by Gwyneth Strong.-Biography:...
posing as his common law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
stepmother.
The ploy appears to work, despite strange glances from the organisers, especially after it emerges that Del has modified the birth date on Rodney's passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
. However it turns out that the organisers, in order to allow the parents of all the children present (also competition winners) a chance to enjoy the break as well, have set up a club filled with activites for the youngsters to enjoy. As a result, Rodney is basically conscripted into the Groovy Gang, a youth activity group, and is forced to undergo a week of misery as he is forced to take part in a variety of children's activities, such as skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
, where Rodney comes second in the contest and attending a junior disco, where Rodney advanced to the final of the breakdancing contest. If that wasn't bad enough, he has to fight off the affections of a thirteen-year old Bros
Bros
Bros were a British band active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, consisting of twin brothers Matt Goss and Luke Goss along with Craig Logan...
fan. Both Rodney and Cassandra are soon miserable (since they can't spend any time together) and are ready to blow the whistle on the lie but Del, who is having a great time, pretends to each of them (separately) that the other is enjoying it.
Whilst on the trip, Del purchases some Spanish lottery
Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
tickets for each of them - to placate Cassandra and Rodney's rage at being duped - and Rodney's numbers win the one million peseta
Spanish peseta
The peseta was the currency of Spain between 1869 and 2002. Along with the French franc, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra .- Etymology :...
jackpot. While Cassandra points out that a million pesetas is actually equivalent to only around £6,000, Del and Rodney are still ecstatic at the win, and Del points out that, technically, they've finally become millionaires. The group are then informed by the holiday organisers that they will be unable to claim the prize, since the winning tickets were in Rodney's name and under Spanish law, people under 18 are not allowed to gamble
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
. Knowing their charade is over and desperately wanting to claim the prize, Rodney - to prove that he really is over 18 - produces his student's card in a desperate attempt to verify he is over 18. The Trotters can then legally claim the prize. However, that has also been modified by Del, meaning the Trotters' windfall can't be won. Del ruefully suggests "It's only money, bruv..." to calm Rodney down. Rodney chases Del out of the bar as the credits roll.
Story arc
- This episode makes the first mention of Elsie Partridge, which foreshadows her appearance in the next episode, "Sickness and WealthSickness and Wealth"Sickness and Wealth" is an episode of the BBC sit-com, Only Fools and Horses. It was the fifth episode of series 6, and was first screened on 5 February, 1989.-Synopsis:...
", and the events of this episode are mentioned in "The Jolly Boys' OutingThe Jolly Boys' Outing"The Jolly Boys' Outing" is the eighth Christmas special episode of the BBC sit-com Only Fools and Horses, first screened on 25 December, 1989...
" and "Time On Our HandsTime On Our Hands"Time On Our Hands" is an episode of the BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses. It was the final episode of the 1996 Christmas trilogy, and was originally billed to be the last ever episode of the show, it was first screened on 29 December 1996...
".
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