Roy Slater Only Fools And Horses

Let’s be honest—when you think of Only Fools and Horses, you probably picture Del Boy falling through a bar or Rodney getting a proper hiding. But let me tell you, the real menace in that show wasn’t Trigger or Boycie. It was Roy Slater. Oh, that slimy, mustard-guzzling, lying snake. You can already picture his weaselly face, can’t you?

Played perfectly by Jim Broadbent, Roy Slater is the kind of bloke you’d cross the street to avoid. Not because he’s scary, mind you. Because you’d end up in a dodgy deal or framed for something. He’s Del Boy’s old schoolmate and, honestly, his absolute nemesis. You know a character is special when even Del looks nervous.

Slater first appears in the episode “May the Force Be with You.” He’s a copper. A bent copper, obviously. He waltzes into the Nag’s Head like he owns the place, and you just know trouble is following close behind. And his calling card? A whole jar of English mustard. Who does that?

The Mustard Man Cometh

Let’s talk about the mustard thing, because it’s genius. Slater eats the stuff by the spoonful. It’s not a quirk—it’s a warning. He’s so bitter and twisted that only a burning, yellow paste can satisfy his soul. Can you imagine being at a dinner party with him? “Pass the beef, Roy? Oh, you’ve already drowned it in Colman’s. Lovely.”

His whole persona is a performance. Slater acts like he’s everyone’s mate, but his eyes are always scheming. He’s the kind of man who’d sell you a fake Rolex and then report you for handling stolen goods. Del might be a chancer, but Slater? He’s a vicious chancer with a badge.

Rodney can’t stand him—and that says a lot, because Rodney can’t stand most things. But with Slater, it’s personal. He once blackmailed Del over a stolen camcorder and nearly sent him to prison. Honestly, if Slater had been a regular, the Trotters would have been bankrupt by episode three.

The “Only Fools” Hall of Fame Performance

Jim Broadbent didn’t just play a villain. He became this oily, cocky git who makes your skin crawl. His best moment? When he reveals he’s not a police officer anymore—he’s a car salesman. Of course he is. The man fell from bent copper to bent car dealer like it was a natural promotion. And he still has that mustard.

Only Fools and Horses Season 7 Episode 4

You’ve got to hand it to the writers, too. They made Slater a perfect foil for Del. Del is all “this time next year, we’ll be millionaires.” Slater is more “this time next week, you’ll be in the slammer.” One dreams big; the other dreams of your downfall. It’s almost poetic, in a greasy, South London way.

And let’s not forget his laugh. That little, nasal chuckle he does when he’s got one over on someone. It’s the sound of a man who enjoys his own evil. You half expect him to twirl a mustache, but he’s too busy dipping chips in mustard.

Why We Love to Hate Him

Every great sitcom needs a villain you can boo. Slater is that villain. He’s not a cartoon baddie with a monologue—he’s a real kind of nasty. The sort who’d smile at your nan while nicking her pension. He represents everything Del is trying to escape: small-time crime with no ambition except to drag others down.

But here’s the kicker: Slater is also hilarious. His complete lack of shame is comedy gold. Remember when he tries to sell Del a stolen car that’s literally still hot from a heist? “It’s a bargain, Del! One careful owner—well, not careful, but they’re in jail now, so no complaints.” You want to punch him, but you’re laughing too hard.

Slater Arrives! | Only Fools and Horses | BBC Comedy Greats - YouTube

He only appeared in three episodes. Three! That’s criminal. Jim Broadbent made such an impact that fans still quote “mustard” like it’s a threat. Imagine if he’d been in “Miami Twice”? Slater would have ended up running a crooked tanning salon and selling fake alligator handbags. It would have been glorious.

The Aftermath and Legacy

Slater pops up again in the 1996 special “Time on Our Hands.” He’s older, greyer, but still a slimeball. This time, he’s selling a fake watch to Rodney. And guess what? He still has that jar of mustard. Some things never change. It’s like he’s fueled by spite and yellow condiments.

What makes Roy Slater special is that he’s a mirror. He shows what Del could have become if he’d gone down a crueler path. Del Boy is a rogue, but he’s got a heart. Slater? He’s all rind and vinegar. That’s why we remember him. That’s why he’s the best villain in the show—by a long shot.

So next time you watch Only Fools, pay attention when Slater slithers onto the screen. Raise your cup of tea to a brilliant bastard. And maybe, just maybe, avoid the mustard. You don’t want to catch whatever he’s got.