Del <red>Boy</red> | The Sun |Showbiz|TV

DEL Boy is coming back in a comedy about his teenage years - and Nicholas Lyndhurst could play his dad.

An Only Fools And Horses spin-off will tell the story of the Trotter boys' dad Reg, his tarty wife Joan and his safe-cracking accomplice Freddie Robdal.

Filming on the show - Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Chips - starts next month. In it, the Trotters won't yet be living in Nelson Mandela House, but it will feature Del and pals Boycie, Trigger and Denzil as teenagers in Peckham.

BBC bosses want the leading role to go to Lyndhurst - who played Rodney Trotter in the original series.

A source told TV Biz: "Nicholas is on the verge of signing. They're desperate to get him but it's just a case of working out the contracts."

Bosses have made it clear the role is made for Nicholas, and haven't seen any other stars for the part.

Actor David Jason, who played Del in the series, is not thought to be returning for the spin-off.