EntertainmentuktvnostalgiaCatherine Zeta-Jones

'Darling Buds Of May' Debuted 25 Years Ago Today - Where Are They Now?

We catch up with stars including David Jason, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Pam Ferris.
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

As soon as gentle, irrepressible and warm-hearted ‘The Durrells’ appeared on ITV on Sunday evening, comparisons with ‘The Darling Buds of May’ could be heard. 

It’s a testament to the strong memories of an enduring classic, as it’s been an astonishing 25 years today since Pop Larkin and his clan debuted on our screens, and their capers were only on screen for a mere three years. 

With quarter of a century since we met Pop, Ma and co, we catch up with the original cast and find out what happened to TV’s most festive, farming folk…

Darling Buds Of May - Where Are They Now?
Pa Larkin(01 of15)
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(credit:ITV)
David Jason(02 of15)
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Already a national TV treasure for his role of Del Boy, David Jason went on to play a detective in ‘A Touch of Frost’ as well as a host of other TV projects. In 2013, he reprised his role of shopkeeper Granville in the BBC comedy ‘Still Open All Hours’. (credit:PA)
Ma Larkin(03 of15)
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(credit:ITV)
Pam Ferris(04 of15)
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Pam has seldom been out of work since, starring on the big screen as Aunt Marge in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, and frequent costume dramas on TV. She played Sister Evangelina in ‘Call the Midwife’ for four years until an emotional departure from the show earlier this year. (credit:BBC)
Monty Larkin(05 of15)
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(credit:ITV)
Ian Tucker(06 of15)
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Although he had roles in other shows, including ‘The Bill’ and ‘Pie in the Sky’ and appeared on stage in ‘Les Miserables’, his acting was curtailed by cystic fibrosis, which he’d had since birth. Ian now concentrates on writing poetry, and in 2013 he won a prestigious award from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, for his success in overcoming his health obstacles. (credit:Getty)
Zinnia and Petunia Larkin (twins, here with sister Victoria)(07 of15)
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(credit:ITV)
Christina Giles(08 of15)
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Neither of these twin girls continued to act. Christina Giles became a scientific and medical writer, according to her own website, with a particular interest in biochemistry and, fittingly twins. (credit:Christina Giles)
Katherine Giles(09 of15)
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Nothing is known about her sister Katherine. (credit:Katherine Giles)
Primrose Larkin(10 of15)
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(credit:ITV)
Abigail Rokison(11 of15)
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Dr Abigail Rokison is now an expert in Shakespeare and is director of studies in English and Drama at Homerton College. (credit:Getty)
Charley Charlton(12 of15)
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(credit:ITV)
Philip Franks(13 of15)
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Philip is one of those faces you probably recognise without necessarily putting a name to it. His many TV appearances include ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, ‘Bleak House’ and ‘Foyle’s War’. He’s also directed his own plays, while remaining a member of the RSC, not to forget his frequent contributions to Dictionary Corner on Channel 4’s 'Countdown'. (credit:RockyHorrorShow)
Mariette Larkin(14 of15)
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(credit:ITV)
Catherine Zeta-Jones(15 of15)
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From this breakout role, Catherine was soon scooped up by Hollywood, where she won an Oscar in 2002 for her supporting role in musical ‘Chicago’. Although she has always earned mostly positive film reviews, she has become more famous off-screen. She has been official Hollywood royalty since 2000, when she married Michael Douglas. The couple brought their two children up in Bermuda, but have more recently made their home in New York. (credit:PA)
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