A replica of the Reliant Regal used in Only Fools and Horses on display at the at the National Motor Museum

It's been well over three decades since Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter (David Jason), Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and the rest of their clan first light up British homes and stole the hearts of millions with their adorable antics on Only Fools and Horses.

Created, written and produced by John Sullivan, Only Fools and Horses tells the story of two bothers trying to rise above their bleak council block live through various schemes that ultimately fail. Despite the rather shady overarching plot, the viewing public took an instant liking to the two brothers, elevating them to heady, iconic status in Thatcher's Britain. Schemer-in-chief Del Boy's regular promise to his loyal but sceptical brother, “This time next year, we'll be millionaires” became a national catchphrase.

Week after week (at least during the show's early run), the lovable duo will embark on one outrageous scheme after another, and the public lapped it eagerly. Quite a few sociologists have hypothesized that their appeal lies in our inherent love of the plucky underdog.

The show officially ended its run in 1991 after Series 6, but 16 one-off Christmas and Comic Relief specials extended its lifeline right until 2003. Thereafter, Only Fools and Horses enjoyed repeated afternoon and late night reruns which ensured their popularity remains undiminished.

Without doubt, Only Fools and Horses is the most popular (if not the best) sitcom to have come out during the 1980s.