Sir David Jason became addicted to building models while he was stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic

He told the Guardian newspaper: "I started making models during the pandemic, when we were all trapped in our houses. I got a bit addicted to it.

"When I'm concentrating or working quietly on my own I like to listen to Gregorian chants. There's something really nice and soothing about that."

It comes after it was revealed the veteran actor had been forced to give up his previous hobby - flying up his helicopter - due to hip pain.

David became a qualified helicopter pilot in 2005 and used to regularly fly his own Robinson R44 aircraft but he recently confirmed he is no longer able to take to the skies due to mobility issues and hip-replacement surgery last year.

He told the Sunday Times newspaper he has become "increasingly uncomfortable in the air [due to] migrating [pains in his hips, knees and legs]."

David added of his health issues: "[My] memory isn't what it used to be ... Most of us reach this point when things aren't quite as bright as they used to be. "Mind you, I don't wear a hearing aid, I don't wear glasses, and I've only had to replace one bit of my body [a hip replacement], so I'm not doing too bad, thank you."

In the interview, David went on to talk about his life at home revealing he's been suffering from empty nest syndrome after his daughter Sophie-Mae - his only child with wife Gill Hinchcliffe - moved out earlier this year to set up home with her boyfriend.

He said: "There's been a loss and a change. Now I can get into her bedroom without needing a bulldozer to clear the route. She was never the tidiest of little people but, having said that, yeah we do miss her. We miss not having an empty fridge!"