Rodney Charlton Trotter (also known as Dave by Trigger), is a fictional character in the long running BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst. Biography Rodney is the son of Joan Mavis Trotter, grandson of Edward Trotter, and great nephew of Albert Trotter. His full name is Rodney Charlton Trotter. In "Little Problems" it is revealed that Rodney is named after "handsome actor" Rod Taylor and Charlton after Charlton Athletic, his mother's favourite football team. Rodney is the younger brother of Derek Trotter, who affectionately refers to him as "Rodders". Rodney has supported Del with all his schemes, but is not as confident as his brother. Del's comments whenever Rodney makes a mistake, including "Plonker", "Wally", "Twonk", "Dipstick" and "Tart", became notable catchphrases throughout the series. It is revealed in numerous episodes such as "Big Brother", "The Long Legs of the Law", and "A Royal Flush" that Rodney is appalled by Del's behaviour, including lying to girls they want to date. Throughout the series, Rodney's presumed father was Reg Trotter, although his actual paternity was occasionally called into question, such as in the 1987 Christmas special "The Frog's Legacy", due to the unavoidable fact that he shared little resemblance to either Del or Reg in terms of appearance or personality. In the final Only Fools and Horses episode, the 2003 Christmas special "Sleepless in Peckham", Rodney discovered through an old photograph of the first Jolly Boys' Outing that he and Del did not actually share the same father. His biological father was revealed to be local gentleman thief, Freddie "The Frog" Robdal, who had an affair with Del and Rodney's mother Joan in March 1960, and Rodney instantly deduced this due to Robdal's striking resemblance to him. This is confirmed in the prequel series Rock & Chips. In the episode's final scene, Rodney asks Del if he is anything like Freddie Robdal, but Del denies it, labelling Robdal several derogatory terms such as "thief", "conman", "liar" and a "cheat", none of which apply to Rodney. Age The BBC comedy guide for Only Fools and Horses clearly states that Rodney's birthday is 26 February; but this is contradicted in "Sleepless in Peckham", when Cassandra mistakes Freddie the Frog in an old 1960s photo of the first Jolly Boys' Outing for Rodney. Rodney corrects her, claiming that the photo was taken in July 1960 before he was born (according