<P> The closing credits for the programme varied series by series . The first series used peeling labels featuring the names of the cast and crew, mirroring the opening sequence, but these had to be updated with every new episode, making the process very time - consuming; from the second series the credits switched to a standard rolling format . The third series featured additional symbols . For the fourth series, these designs were replaced with white lettering on a black background . The fifth series had a black and white background, but the sixth series reverted to the black one . For the seventh series, the credits scrolled against a freeze frame of the final scene . </P> <P> The original "Nelson Mandela House" in the titles was Harlech Tower, Park Road East, Acton, London, and since 1988, was filmed at Whitemead House, Duckmoor Road, Ashton, Bristol . </P> <P> Sixty - three episodes of Only Fools and Horses, all written by John Sullivan, were broadcast on BBC1 between 8 September 1981 and 25 December 2003 . The show was aired in seven series (1981--83, 1985--86, 1989 and 1990--91), and thereafter in sporadic Christmas special editions (1991--93, 1996, 2001--03). All earlier episodes had a running time of 30 minutes, but this was extended after Series Six (1989), and all subsequent episodes had a running time ranging from 50 to 95 minutes . </P> <P> Several mini-episodes were produced . An eight - minute episode aired on 27 December 1982 as part of a show hosted by Frank Muir, The Funny Side of Christmas, and attracted 7.2 million viewers . A 5 - minute spoof BBC documentary was shown on Breakfast Time on 24 December 1985, with Del being investigated by a BBC consumer expert . An educational episode named "Licensed to Drill", in which Del, Rodney and Grandad discuss oil drilling, was recorded in 1984 but only shown in schools . A 5 - minute 1990--91 Persian Gulf War special (dated 1 December 1990) has Del, Rodney, and Albert convey a message to British troops serving in the conflict . It has never been broadcast commercially, but a copy exists at the Imperial War Museum, London . A Comic Relief special showing Del, Rodney and Albert making an appeal for donations was shown on 14 March 1997, with 10.6 million viewers . A Sport Relief special was aired on 21 March 2014 . </P>

How long did only fools and horses go on for