Only Fools And Horses: Ranking All The Main Characters From Worst To Best
9. Roy Slater
Despite only appearing in three episodes of Only Fools and Horses, the impact of Detective Inspector Slater is seen in much of the series.
Played by the exceptional Jim Broadbent, Slater is one of Del Boy’s primary antagonists. First appearing in Series 3’s ‘May The Force Be With You,’ Slater sneaks his way into getting an invitation into the Trotter household in an attempt to lay multiple unsolved crimes on Rodney and Del. It’s revealed in the episode that no-scruples Slater arrested his own father for cycling with a broken tail light.
After turning to crime and getting charged at the end of the first feature-length episode, To Hull and Back, Slater appears one last time in Series 7, apparently wanting a friendly reunion with the regulars of the show. However, it is revealed that he is Raquel’s estranged husband, and attempts to blackmail Derek in the process.
Broadbent portrays the slimy Slater perfectly, and the character has no redeeming traits. Not only that but with the revelation of Raquel’s previous marriage foreshadowed brilliantly in earlier episodes, it remains exemplary of John Sullivan’s writing ability.