Del Boy has swapped his Reliant Robin for several helicopters.

The actor Sir David Jason, who made his fame and fortune as the loveable rogue in Only Fools and Horses, has become the patron of the newly-established Association of Air Ambulances. Members include the Kent Air Ambulance based at Marden near Maidstone.

A keen helicopter pilot himself, Sir David said: “An air ambulance takes off somewhere in the UK ever 10 minutes.

“Between them they attend over 17,500 missions a year. They save many lives and improve the outcome of hundreds of others unfortunate enough to be involved in accidents and medical emergencies.”

Sir David, who went on to star in many shows including the detective Frost, added: “They play a vital role within our emergency response service and I’m delighted to support them, particularly as they receive no government funding.”