Only Fools icon David Jason appears in controversial new BBC TV licence advert alongside Romesh Ranganathan despite making major barbs about channel

By CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR and RICHARD EDEN, DIARY EDITOR Published: 09:02, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 09:54, 22 July 2026 Sir David Jason appeared in the BBC's controversial new TV licence advert, despite making barbs about the broadcaster.  The Only Fools And Horses legend, 86, joined nearly 100 famous faces in the advert, titled What Has The BBC Ever Done For Me?, which aired during Sunday's World Cup final.  But the sitcom legend - who wasn't paid to appear in the advert, hasn't been afraid to slam the corporation publicly in previous years. David, who is briefly seen in the new advert dressed as alter ego Derek Trotter, has previously criticised the BBC for 'empire building'.  The actor famously portrayed the legendary market trader in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses from 1981 to 2003.  'The BBC expanded too far, too fast, into areas it had no business in. There's a lot of deadwood there and it could do with pruning,' he told The Sun in a past interview.  Sir David Jason appeared in the BBC's controversial new TV licence advert, despite making barbs about the broadcaster (David pictured bottom right)  'They need to invest in comedy and drama and take on the Americans. It's a good thing it is being shaken up.'  The four-minute advertisement campaigns for the £180-a-year bill and begs viewers to pay it.  While David wasn't paid to take part, Romesh Ranganathan did receive payment as he fronted the advert.  A spokesman said: 'Romesh was paid for his involvement in the film, due to the significant time commitment required during filming. 'Creative development was done in-house, and the majority of people gave their time for free. 'Like other broadcasters, we promote our services creatively to ensure audiences across the UK can get best value from the BBC.' He is joined by household names including Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, broadcaster Louis Theroux and Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke. The campaign video kicks off with Romesh in EastEnders' famous Queen Vic pub reading the front page of a paper that asks 'Is the BBC really worth it?'. David, who is briefly seen in the new advert dressed as alter ego Derek Trotter, has previously criticised the BBC for 'empire building' The actor famously portrayed the legendary market trader in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses from 1981 to 2003 The BBC campaign ends with the comic on Strictly Come Dancing, surrounded by dancers The comedian and actor then tells barmaid Tracey – played by Jane Slaughter – 'it's a good question'. 'You have got to ask – what has the BBC ever done for me?' he says. As a man plays the piano with his back turned to the camera, he is then revealed to be Martin, before a string of stars are rolled out including Claudia Winkleman. As Romesh puts it: 'If you're a fan of Ian Beale, or if The Traitors has any appeal, who cares if they've raised two and a half billion for charity, what has the BBC ever done for me?' He then steps out onto the street, telling viewers how the BBC was responsible for 'introducing the nation to Adele', verifies news 'thoroughly' and also offers Mary Berry, Glastonbury and 'celebs on the telly'. Inspired by the 1986 BBC campaign featuring John Cleese, the new film reimagines the question for a generation 40 years later. The campaign film also features Alan Carr, Peter Capaldi, Sara Cox, Graham Norton, Vernon Kay, Greg James and Ruth Jones. Other stars include Cate Blanchett, Daisy Ridley, Chris McCausland, Clive Myrie and Stacey Solomon, as well as Pudsey Bear and a number of Daleks. Wrapping up the ad, text on screen reads: 'There's a BBC for each of us. Funded by all of us.' However, viewers felt bombarded during the game with on-screen QR codes and reminders to pay the charge alongside the ad. One viewer said: 'Didn't think I would get threatened by Romesh and Louis Theroux to pay my TV licence – all I wanted was to watch a game of football.' Another wrote on social media: 'This desperate BBC ad is beyond nauseating.' A third added: 'What did I just witness? BBC spending our money to tell us they're wonderful and we're ungrateful?' Another viewer called it 'shameless self-promotion?' Weakest Link host Ranganathan also wrote an article for the corporation's website entitled: Why I had to make the case for our BBC. He wrote: 'I strongly, strongly believe that the BBC should exist. 'It's not without its flaws, and there have definitely been times and issues where I wished it could have dealt with things differently – but it adds so much to our lives, and I'm really proud of it.'  It comes as former Question Time presenter David Dimbleby branded the BBC's decision to cut 550 jobs a 'very bad call'. David, 87, said: 'Why on earth have they done that? The best analysis of politics, both national and international... I'm appalled.'