20 years after ‘Only Fools and Horses’, Paul Barber, once our beloved Denzil Tulser, is unrecognisable in his new film role.
72-year-old Paul Barber’s portrayal of Del Boy’s unwitting sidekick, always on the sharp end of those shady money-making plots, is legendary. But hold onto your flat caps, because you might not spot him in the forthcoming flick, ‘Love Without Walls’. Swapping his usual attire for a dishevelled outfit with a khaki jacket and dreadlocks under a beanie, he’s clearly moved past his dodgy-deal days. Puffing away on a ciggie, our transformed star embodies ‘Spiceman’, a character who wouldn’t look amiss down the Nag’s Head. With a bushy beard and ragged appearance, Paul’s new role is a stark departure from his past comedic roles.
The film, an emotionally charged drama, portrays a young couple’s battle against the bleak reality of homelessness. A far cry from the Trotters’ capers, this piece promises a raw and gritty look at love’s battle amidst adversity.
We all remember those classic moments in ‘Only Fools and Horses’, masterfully penned by the late, great John Sullivan. The show highlighted Del Boy, Rodney, and memorable Denzil, the Liverpool lorry driver often duped by Del. Since its 1981 start, Paul shone on our screens until its 2003 finale.
While many still associate him with Del and Rodney, Paul’s shining moment arguably came with the 1997 hit ‘The Full Monty’. His portrayal of Barrington ‘Horse’ Mitchell, one of the daring Sheffield steelworkers turned stripteasers, was a huge success. Furthermore, the actor has had stints in shows such as ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Casualty’, and the sun-soaked ‘Death in Paradise’.
Nestled in Clacton, Essex these days, Paul let slip a few cheeky set secrets on the ‘Mixtape Assembly‘ podcast. Hosted by Roger Lloyd-Pack’s son, Paul admitted he and Roger occasionally sneaked off to enjoy some ‘green stuff’. Who would have thought?!
However, while Paul isn’t slowing down, the Disney+ sequel to ‘The Full Monty’, highlighting the stripteasers 25 years on, underscores Paul Barber’s enduring showbiz journey. And by the sound of things, it’s set to be a right knees-up!