Only Fools star who works in care home, lives in caravan and couldn't be happier (2024)

Daniel Peacock is one of the finest British screen talents we have - but these days he's not for the small screen.

The 64-year-old, from Barnet, has taken on a very different role, working at Hastings Court care home. The actor, who played Mental Mickey on Only Fools and Horses, found his love of helping others when he got his first 'real job' with the lifestyles team at the care home.

When dad Trevor, famed for playing Jim Trott in The Vicar of Dibley, was battling dementia, Dan was inspired to help others.

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Three years ago Dan, who lives in Cobham, had just finished writing the second series of his UK TV comedy ‘Marley’s Ghosts’ when he found himself at a loose end and so applied for a job out of his comfort zone.

Only Fools star who works in care home, lives in caravan and couldn't be happier (1)

He said: "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."

Although Dan is still working on projects in the TV industry, he has committed himself to enhancing the lives of the residents at the care home where he arranges activities. Together with the lifestyles team, he keeps residents entertained and engaged, and he goes the extra mile to ensure their families are also included.

'Working here has made me a better person'

Only Fools star who works in care home, lives in caravan and couldn't be happier (2)

Dan's father, Trevor, passed away in March 2021 after spending three years in a care home. However, despite finding himself in a sad situation, Dan's experience with his dad sparked a new passion for helping others worlds away from the small screen.

He explained: “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 star who works in care home, lives in caravan and couldn't be happier (3)

Although Daniel is an award-winning writer for his children's show 'Cave Girl', he has been nominated for a National Care Award 2022 for his work at the care home and says if he wins, it will be his proudest moment.

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.

Only Fools star who works in care home, lives in caravan and couldn't be happier (4)

"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.”

'My dad has influence over my career'

Dan left school aged 15 years old with no qualifications as he couldn't spell very well, but being inspired by his father, Dan knew he could make it in the acting industry.

"I remember thinking my life would be nothing as I couldn’t communicate with people", he explains. "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 star who works in care home, lives in caravan and couldn't be happier (5)

Daniel starred alongside Trevor in his own series called Mud and Trainer. But it was Dan's own experience with his dad's care home that spurred him on to support others in a similar position as himself.

“This is fundamentally why I wasn’t put out when Charlie said to get a job," Dan says. "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 star who works in care home, lives in caravan and couldn't be happier (2024)
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