Are these the best ever Only Fools and Horses moments, as picked by Suffolk superfan with ‘biggest collection in Britain’?

Robert Birch holds the first item he purchased for his Only Fools and Horses collection.

Suffolk superfan Robert Birch, who could be the owner of the biggest collection of Only Fools and Horses memorabilia in the world, has picked his favourite moments from the show.

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Robert Birch, a porter at Ipswich Hospital, has an entire bedroom in his house dedicated to Only Fools and Horses. Robert Birch, a porter at Ipswich Hospital, has an entire bedroom in his house dedicated to Only Fools and Horses.

His top five include:

1. Heartbreak in Sleepless in Peckham, 2003

“The Christmas special in 2003, called Sleepless in Peckham was a fantastic episode. It was horrendous and so sad, because all the characters fall out with each other. But in the end Rodney gets his little girl, and it’s such a powerful ending to the show.”

Robert Birch, a porter at Ipswich Hospital, has an entire bedroom in his house dedicated to Only Fools and Horses. Robert Birch, a porter at Ipswich Hospital, has an entire bedroom in his house dedicated to Only Fools and Horses.

2. The bar scene in Yuppy Love, 1989

“Yuppy Love, where Del falls through the bar is absolutely hilarious. It’s a classic moment and no one expects it to happen. Trigger just stands there and double takes, staring at him. It really makes me laugh.”

3. Del turns tour guide in A Slow Bus to Chingford

Robert Birch holds the first item he purchased for his Only Fools and Horses collection. Robert Birch holds the first item he purchased for his Only Fools and Horses collection.

“In A Slow Bus to Chingford, Rodney is a nightwatchman, and Del Boy tries to become a tour guide. It’s slapstick comedy at its complete best and David Jason acts it so well.”

4. Mansion owners react to Del Boy and Rodney in A Touch of Glass

“There are two moments in A Touch of Glass that just get me every time. The first one is when Del, Grandad and Rodney won’t leave the mansion and the posh owners get cross.”

5. Smashing chandeliers in A Touch of Glass

“The second part is when Grandad unscrews all the chandeliers so they smash over the floor, and then a second one comes down too and makes a huge mess.”

Robert, from Great Blakenham, has converted an entire bedroom in his house into a “museum” dedicated to the Peckham-based show.

The Ipswich Hospital porter, 49, has met every member of the show’s cast except Nicholas Lyndhurst and David Jason – who play main characters Del Boy and Rodney.

His friends, along with his wife, believe his exhibition could be worth thousands of pounds.

“I love the show, it’s fantastic. I used to watch it all the time during the 80s and am always watching repeats,” said Mr Birch.

“It’s got a great cast, and always makes people laugh. I go to several exhibitions, and have been collecting for nearly 20 years now.

“My friends think the collection could be worth thousands of pounds, and think it’s priceless.”

He added: “When I show people around they always think back to episodes they have watched and chuckle to themselves. And that’s what the show’s all about really, making people laugh.”

Meeting Del Boy and Rodney – the stars of the show – would be a dream come true, admits Robert, who has received autographs from the likes of John Challis, who plays Boycie, and Paul Barber, who plays Denzel.

“I’ve developed a few favourite episodes and moments over the years, and I rewatch those now and again. I’ve got alarm clocks, limited edition T-shirts and several box sets,” Robert added.

“People say to me they think it might be the only one, or the biggest collection of memorabilia in Britain.If anyone has one that they think is bigger, I would like to meet them so we can share experiences.

“I don’t know how they have managed to make seven series as successful as they have been, but the show’s directors have kept people entertained for decades and decades.”

And Robert, who lives with his wife, said he loves dropping in one-liners from the show in conversations with his friends.

“The writers are so witty. I love all the catchphrases,” he said.