WATCH: Why Only Fools superfan splashed out £28,000 for Del Boy's pocket watch
The Black Country's very own Del Boy is a 'Trotter at heart' after splashing the cash to pick up an iconic momento from one of Britain's most loved comedies.
The novelty prop went on sale at Aston's Auctioneers on September 20, almost doubling it's expected price of £15,000 after Michael saw the auction in an article in the Express & Star.
Super fan Michael is in no doubt over his inspiration from the show, he said: "Hands down my favourite thing about Only Fools and Horses is Del Boy, I live my life like him.
"I'm a Trotter at heart and everything I do is to be similar to him, he's brilliant."
Michael, 47, and his friend Jason Baddams came through the doors of the auction house dressed up as Batman and Robin, mimicking the hilarious scene of the Trotter brothers turning up to a fancy dress party, to find it was actually a wake.
Michael, owner of MT Skips in Dudley, said: "Jason loves the show too but the whole fancy dress thing was a last minute idea.
"I tried to find my old Batman and Robin costumes and couldn't see the Robin one anywhere, eventually my brother found it and I got Jason into it and we went straight down for the auction.
"Everyone at the auction house loved it when we came in all dressed up, they all had a good laugh and it was brilliant.
"My family think I'm mad, completely bonkers, but you'll never see this item again, I had one chance to get it and I knew if I'd have lost out on it I'd have been gutted.
"It was probably slightly out of my price range but I made sure I got it, it's a lot of money but it's worth it.
"There are only two of these watches in existence so I'm definitely keeping this one safe.
"I plan to hold onto it and possibly sell it in the future, this kind of memorabilia is priceless, it's the best I could get, and I'll never lose a penny on it.
"In 10 years I might look at selling it on and seeing what I can get, I think I could take it back to auction now and make my money back.
"If I do sell it on I want to take it to Sotheby's, the auction house they used in the show, and sell it on there."
"I've always watched Only Fools and Horses and for years I've been a huge fan.
"All four of my kids watch it and every single night I sit down and enjoy an episode - I'm addicted to it.
"My kids are aged from two to 16 and they all love it.
"You'll be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't love the show, it's hilarious, an absolutely cracking show. "
