Only Fools and Horses star 'couldn't be happier' with job in care home (2024)

Daniel Peacock, who starred in Only Fools and Horses, has been acting in and writing TV shows for over 40 years, but now works in a care home. The 64-year-old says his first 'real job' is more inspiring than anything he has done in the past.

The actor and writer from Barnet, London, played 'Mental Mickey Maguire' in the BBC sitcom, but for the last three years has been organising activities for the residents of Hastings Court Care Home. Despite having created a number of television shows and starred in films including Quadrophenia and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, he says his new job has been "the most rewarding time of my life".

His father, Trevor Peacock - who played Jim Trott in The Vicar of Dibley - moved into a different care home three years ago amid his battle with dementia and Alzheimer's. It was the experience of seeing his dad live in a care home that inspired Dan to get his first 'real job' with the lifestyle team at Hastings Court - as he had just finished writing the second series of TV comedy 'Marley's Ghosts' and wanted something outside of his comfort zone to do.

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He told MyLondon: "I bought a caravan in Kent as I thought I really wanted to get some solitude and I’ve always loved holiday parks. So there I am in my caravan writing every now and then, enjoying no pressure and stress.

"I started watching TV programs I've never watched before in my life, not the greatest but they were on TV. Then my son Charlie said 'Dad you're watching way too much television' and suggested I get a job.

"At that time, I thought 'I don’t even know how to do anything else', he found me a job at Hastings Court."

Dan's main focus is now on improving the lives of the residents at his care home, although he does still have time to work on some TV projects. The group of staff he works with ensure the residents are kept entertained and engaged, and Dan always goes the extra mile to make sure families are included.

'Working here has made me a better person'

Dan's dad Trevor died in March 2021, having been in a care home for three years. The actor says that despite the sadness of the situation, it sparked his passion for helping others.

He explains: "Because my dad had been in a residential home, tragically, with the most awful disease Alzheimers, it was the first time I came face to face with this terrible condition and I wasn’t overly impressed with the care home. So when I got here at Hastings Court, it was like a very impressive hotel.

"I started to inject some entertainment and conversation between the residents and bringing them all together. A lot of the residents have lived history, during and at the end of the war so you bond with people here.

"My dad died of that horrible disease but working here has made me a better person."

Only Fools and Horses star 'couldn't be happier' with job in care home (2)

Dan has been nominated for the National Care Award 2022, and says that despite being an award-winning writer for his kids show 'Cave Girl', winning the care award would be his proudest achievement.

He adds: "I try to inject fun and love into every day, it doesn’t become exhausting, I find myself very lucky to be here. This is my first job, ever in my life. I was 61 years old when I got here. I’m passionate about making the residents' lives as fun and fulfilling as I possibly can.

"When I went to visit my dad in Yeovil, I spoke to my family members and family members of others who were in there, and although we weren’t ostracised we weren’t always as catered for. So here we started a thing called the memory cafe, a support group for family members every couple of weeks where it's a safe place for individuals to come.

"Sometimes people break down and cry, which they haven’t been able to do as they suppress it. We get lovely responses from family members, their handing over their loved ones to strangers. So it is important that the love they feel for their family members continue here at Hastings Court.

"I love my relationships and bonding with the residents. I’m taking a lady, Joan, for lunch tomorrow with my family, my treat, as her family has been on holiday. To be honest I can afford it and I don’t want to see Joanie upset."

'I wake up every morning happy I'm going to work'

Dan left school at 15 with no qualifications, as he found spelling difficult. He says his dad inspired him to succeed in the acting industry.

He explained: "I remember thinking my life would be nothing as I couldn’t communicate with people.But I wasn't worried because I always assumed after watching my dad do lots of musicals I would follow in his footsteps.

"I remember him writing the songs in our house then going to the West End and hearing them and thinking 'I remember that that song, look at all these people listening', that had influence over me."

Only Fools and Horses star 'couldn't be happier' with job in care home (3)

Dan starred alongside his father in his own series, Mud and Trainer. Then, later in life, his experience with Trevor's care home inspired him to support others.

He says: "This is fundamentally why I wasn’t put out when Charlie said to get a job. In a care home I’ve learned families need to be supported, whatever the challenges the resident may have.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, I wouldn’t have been here without my dad's situation in later life, I’ve learned a huge amount. Now that is the most rewarding time of my life, I wake up every morning happy I’m going to work."

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Only Fools and Horses star 'couldn't be happier' with job in care home (2024)
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