Only Fools and Horses fans will be familiar with the catalogue of long-running jokes from Del Boy and Rodney Trotter which often left audiences in hysterics over the years.

The British sitcom which ran for seven series on BBC also had countless one liners from David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, John Challis (Boyce), Roger Lloyd Pack (Trigger) and Grandad (Lennard Pearce) to name a few.

But now fans of one “running gag” from the hit 90s show have realised it may have just been a big misunderstanding, even though they have been watching Only Fools and Horses all their lives.

The comedy which is still popular with viewers today despite last airing in 2003 for a Christmas special, has been gaining a lot of attention within the Only Fools and Horses community on the popular discussion forum Reddit (you won’t believe why).

Only Fools and Horses fans shocked to discover truth behind 'running gag'

One user admitted to a hilarious mistake, posting: "I just discovered something I thought was a running gag was simply me being too young."

They added: "I'm 31, watched this show through my life and always thought the 'I've got two GCEs' was a joke, bragging about having the education qualifications but not being educated enough to correctly say GCSEs. I thought it was typical OFAH humour.

"Then I found out GCSEs used to be called GCEs and I felt a right bl***y idiot."

In another discussion, someone was left confused over the audience's reaction to Rodney's academic “GCE” claims, sharing: "Anytime Rodney mentions he has two GCEs it gets a laugh from the audience.

"I used to think it was because he was getting GCSEs wrong but turns out they were called GCEs back then. So are they just laughing at his somewhat modest achievements?"

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This account also wrote: “Yeah, it's standard for kids to take (and pass) at least seven or eight GCSEs so passing two is really nothing to brag about."

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What is the difference between a GCE and GCSE?

GCE’s (general certificate in education) were also known as O Levels and were the old version of GCSE’s, which now stands for “general certificate in secondary education”.

GCSE’s were introduced in September 1986 to establish a national qualification for those who decided to leave school at 16 without pursuing further academic study towards qualifications such as A-Levels or university degrees.