Del Boy never marries. He has had many girlfriends, a fact that is the subject of numerous sarcastic comments by Rodney. He finally meets his partner Raquel Turner (whom he calls his "significant other") in the 1988 special "Dates". Del's mother Joan dies on 12 March 1964, apparently after a long string of illnesses. His lazy father Reginald leaves three months later (on Del's 16th birthday), taking most of their money and even Del's birthday cake. This leaves the teenage Del as the family's sole breadwinner, looking after his grandfather and Rodney, his half-brother who was born around thirteen years after him
Del Boy Water" when he nearly throws Reg out of the flat. But Del still appears to feel some familial loyalty to Reg, shown when he gives him some money just before his departure. Del Boy appears to be closer to Jumbo Mills than the rest of his gang and seems to be quite promiscuous, as shown when he becomes "engaged" to several girls by presenting them with fake diamond rings. His relationship with Frederick "Freddie the Frog" Robdal is not much elaborated on, as they share few scenes. During the series, Robdal becomes closer to the Trotters, primarily Joan, and Robdal