Sir David Jason's long-lost daughter first made contact with him in 'astonishing' letter

The Only Fools and Horses star was left stunned when he received a letter from Abi Harris saying she thought he might be her father

Sir David Jason, the legendary actor, received a heart-wrenching letter from Abi Harris, his long-lost daughter. The Only Fools and Horses star was taken aback by the revelation.

In her letter, 53 year old Abi expressed her struggle and "wrestled with the unsettling discovery that my paternity is uncertain". She didn't want to "betray" her late father or make her mother Jennifer Hill feel guilty about the uncertainty, but she was keen to discover her biological father's identity.

Abi asked Sir David if he would consent to an anonymous paternity test, explaining: "For considerable time, I have wrestled with the unsettling discovery that my paternity is uncertain."

"I don't want my mum to feel guilty. I didn't want to 'betray' my late father and I have worried endlessly about how on earth to approach you. However, I would really like to know."

She continued: "Please would you agree to take an anonymous paternity test so that I can finally know the truth and let the matter rest. Obviously, this remains entirely between you and me.", reports the Express.

"I'm sorry if this sounds rather abrupt but I am trying desperately hard not to waffle."

The 84 year old actor described it as the "most astonishing" letter he had ever received. He admitted to having a brief relationship with Abi's mother while filming Under Milk Wood in 1973.

A DNA test confirmed Sir David was Abi's biological father, prompting him to share the news with his wife, Lady Gill White, and daughter Sophie. However, rather than causing tension, the family welcomed Abi and her son Charlie with open arms.

In a 2023 interview with The Mirror, Sir David said: "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's suspicions about her parentage began when she discovered Sir David had spent time with her mother and noticed they shared a similar nose shape. Sir David admitted: "To say it was a surprise to find out I had a daughter from years ago is an understatement."

However, as he came to terms with the news, he expressed his delight at getting to know Abi, meeting up with her whenever possible. Abi, an actor herself, now regularly visits Sir David at his Buckinghamshire home in Ellesborough, where he even shares his passion for model rockets with Charlie in his workshop.