After finding out he had fathered a daughter, Sir David Jason has assured fans he has been in touch with Abi Harris in a rare TV interview.

Long before welcoming daughter Sophie Mae Jason with his wife Gill Hinchcliffe, the Only Fools and Horses star, 84, unknowingly fathered another daughter named Abi Harris in 1970, after a brief relationship.

The actor, best known for his role as Del Boy Trotter on the BBC sitcom, found out about Abi’s existence years after her birth and the pair have since been trying to bond, as the TV legend explained in a rare interview with BBC Breakfast.

During the chat, aired this Tuesday, Sir David Jason notably explained how he had learned about Abi Harris through a letter, sharing: “It was a letter that took me by surprise, and it was from a daughter that I didn’t know I had.”

David Jason received a letter from Abi Harris announcing she was his long-lost daughter ( 
Image:
Mirrorpix)

The Only Fools and Horses legend has since welcomed her into his family with open arms ( 
Image:
PA)

He then remembered the “tremendous shock” he had felt but he eventually reached out to her: “It was a tremendous shock and we’ve since been meeting and getting together. We’re fine, we’re lovely. We’re getting to know each other which takes a bit of time, no she’s great and it’s very rewarding.”

In another breath, he then recalled, referring to Abi’s mother, actress Jennifer Hill, who shared a romance with Sir David Jason: “It was a girlfriend and that part, I never knew about it. I went to work in the theatre and the girlfriend went off to work in her theatre and that was the end of it.”

While David Jason is a household name, Abi Harris is lesser known, though very active in the voice acting industry after following in her father’s footsteps. Abi Harris is said to have voiced Trella the Lizard-Monster in the audio story Doctor Who: The Monsters of Gokroth and has also appeared in audio drama The Avengers: The Comic Strip Adaptations Volume 2.

David Jason spoke to The Daily Mirror last year about his discovery and stated at the time: “To say it was a surprise to find out I had a daughter from years ago is an understatement. However, on settling with the news, I am delighted that I am now able to get to know Abi and so we meet up when we can.”

He then revealed that both Gill and Sophie were keen to welcome Abi into the family: “My wife, Gill, and daughter, Sophie, have been very supportive and understanding and have embraced Abi and welcomed her and her young son into her now wider family.”

Abi, on the other hand, shared her sadness over the years they had lost: “In ­discovering my father’s identity, I am starting to piece together my own. Of course, I am tickled pink and incredibly proud but, frequently, completely overwhelmed with sorrow for the years we have lost.”

She’d then added: “After a measured start, now I hope we can consciously make time to see each other more often, so that I can master the art of being the best big sister and build a ­meaningful father-daughter relationship in its truest sense.”