David Jason: A Life in Comedy and Drama (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798339189275)

David John White, known professionally as David Jason, was born on February 2, 1940, in Edmonton, London. His early years were marked by both personal loss and modest beginnings. Born as a twin, David's brother did not survive childbirth, making him a twinless twin. The tragic start of his life did not deter David's spirit. Choosing the stage name "David Jason" because he admired Jason and the Argonauts, he embarked on a career that would see him become one of Britain's most beloved actors.

David's parents were from humble backgrounds; his father, Arthur Robert White, worked as a porter at Billingsgate Fish Market, while his mother, Olwen Jones, from Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales, worked as a charwoman. The White family lived in North Finchley, and David attended Northfield Secondary Modern school after failing his 11-plus exams in 1951. Though his dream was to become an actor, his father advised him to learn a trade first. David trained as an electrician for six years, only to find his true calling in the world of acting