The chance return of the Jolly Boys recently to film a documentary was perfect timing for Ben Stokes.

The electrician-turned-artist grabbed the opportunity to show Sir David Jason his portrait of the acting legend.

The 27-year-old hunted down the Only Fools and Horses star on the same day as he had finished his latest masterpiece.

Sir David, who filmed the iconic Jolly Boys’ Outing Christmas Day episode in Margate in 1989, came back to the town while making the documentary about the hit BBC sitcom. He was filming alongside fellow actor John Challis, who played Boycie.

The crew had taken a brief break when Mr Stokes turned up at the set with his creation.

Mr Stokes, who has a day job as an electrician, said: “I paint portraits of famous people, and that week I had painted David Jason.

“Then, my cousin said he saw him filming so I thought I had to get it down to him.

“I went to the Marine Sands restaurant and spoke to the camera girls and he called me through to have a chat with him.”

'I went to the Marine Sands restaurant and spoke to the camera girls and he called me through to have a chat with him' - Artist Ben Stokes

Although Ben’s usual subjects are footballers, he says it was a massive coincidence he just happened to finish the picture of Sir David on the day he was visiting the area.

Ben said: “He was chuffed with it and signed it for me as well. It is hanging up on my wall at home. I don’t think I will sell that one. He is a such nice man and talks to you in a nice way – but he was really short.

“I didn’t expect him to be that small, although you can see he is short from when he’s on TV.”

In the past Ben has had comments on his Instagram page from Chelsea ace John Terry, after painting him. The father-of-one from Birchington has also been commissioned to paint reality TV star Tommy Mallet from ITV’s The Only Way is Essex.