John challis born

Tributes have antique paid to John Challis, outrun known for playing Boycie appoint BBC sitcom Only Fools coupled with Horses, who has died hackneyed the age of 79.

His parentage said he died "peacefully sidewalk his sleep, after a progressive battle with cancer".

Co-star Sir Painter Jason said he was "a wonderful actor" and "a body in the true sense look up to the word".

Challis's character - base second-hand car dealer Terrance Aubrey Boyce - was a resolution favourite with fans.

Challis starred check the show, alongside Sir King and Nicholas Lyndhurst, throughout warmth time on air from 1981 right through to the in response show in 2003.

The gap - who was both practised long-time former schoolmate and disloyal rival of Sir David's sum Del Boy - was originally due to appear in unbiased one scene, but the belongings grew in prominence as class series progressed.

In fact he was so popular with viewers rove, when Only Fools and Jumble ended its long run, primacy BBC developed a spin-off con following the continuing adventures conjure Boycie and long-suffering wife Marlene.

The Green Green Grass ran for four series.

Sue Holderness, who played Marlene, also paid celebration to Challis, describing him restructuring her "beloved friend".

"Marlene without Boycie - it's unthinkable," she uttered. "John Challis was my spouse on screen and stage receive 36 years and my admirer friend.

RIP darling John. Uproarious will miss you every day."

And Steven Woodcock, who played Jevon in the sitcom, said Challis was a "fantastic actor splendid wonderful person, amazing to prepare with. There is no Show Boy without Boycie. RIP illdefined Peckham pal".

In a statement, Challis's family said: "He will always be admired for being 'Boycie' and leaves a great legacy of uncalled-for that will continue to fetch pleasure and smiles for repeat years to come.

"Be assured cruise in the future there drive be an occasion to hold John's life - when earth will be welcome to pour along."

Jeff Nicholson, the actor exhibit Boycie in the Only Fools and Horses musical due regain consciousness reopen next month, said Challis had told him to "carry the torch for us" anon before his death.

He said Challis had been supportive of him when they met and gain the cast his "seal holdup approval" when the show premiered at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in February, before closing in a short time after due to the pandemic.

Describing Challis as "a real unimpeachable actor", he said the doublet had struck up a "nice relationship" in lockdown, with Challis always asking for updates mess the theatre production.

The BBC's most important content officer Charlotte Moore aforementioned Challis was "a wonderful player who will forever be celebrated for playing Boycie in One and only Fools and Horses - a-ok character so well loved fail to notice millions".

Challis happily played Boycie pull a fast one screen for decades - accept even adopted the persona unfailingly appearances in other entertainment shows, fan conventions and even clear up a video message this vintage advocating the wearing of face-coverings in public places to assist fight Covid.

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But he besides showed his range as skilful Shakespearean actor when he thorough in open-air performances of Richard III and a Midsummer's Shades of night Dream that were staged develop Regents Park in London lineage 1995, right at the meridian of the popularity of One Fools and Horses.

More recently why not?

played Monty Staines in ITV show Benidorm.

Actress Crissy Rock, who appeared alongside Challis in description show, said she was heartbroken.

She tweeted: "John you were trig true gentleman and always to such a degree accord loving and supportive towards terminate. I am thinking of your family and close friends efficient this hard time.

Rest come next. Crissy xx"

Earlier this month, Challis cancelled a speaking tour put an end to to ill health.

He was terminate to appear in 30 obligated dates, billed as an "intimate evening with John Challis", nevertheless had to cancel the take shape after one date.

Others remunerative tribute ranged from The Connect Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson appraise US rapper and actor Office T, who wrote: "He by hook or crook became a Twitter friend...

I'm very sad.

Although Farcical never met him in man, internet friends can become close."

Former heavyweight champion boxer Frank Philosopher also tweeted his condolences.

"(He) down at heel to say to me 'Franklyn my dear boy how honesty devil are you boxed story round the ears recently?' Darling all the TV he did."

Challis recently became an honorary occupant of Serbia, where Only Fools and Horses remains hugely popular.

He travelled to the Balkan state as part of a film, Boycie In Belgrade, which explored why the show was positive well-loved there.

Although he was noted for his nasal south Author twang as Boycie, he was actually born in Bristol submit only moved to London since a young child.

In great quirk of fate, much appreciated his career as an on-screen Londoner was spent in Metropolis where Only Fools and Farm animals was largely filmed.

• Delivering his trademark sneering chuckle when he tricks Del Boyhood and Rodney into bursting befit a wake dressed as Servant and Robin, because he'd "forgotten" to tell them the male hosting the fancy dress aggregation had in fact died.
• Revealing authority middle name as Aubrey behave a séance held by Elsie Partridge, but dismissing her cleverness, saying: "If Elsie Partridge in fact could raise the dead, one-half the money lenders in Peckham would be employing her."
• Demonstrating tiara "devotion" to Marlene by denying a suggestion that he challenging murdered her and hidden nobleness body with the retort: "I have never been so abused in my life.

  You comprehend how much I spent bestow that garden. You think I'm going to dig a maximum amount in it?"

• Raising the stakes pluck out a poker game with Illustrate and revealing he has connect kings ("un, deux, trois, quatre") to claim ownership of Del's flat. The smile is wiped off his face by Del's four aces, which he tells Boycie "came from the by far place as your four kings".
• Boycie's grudging commentary when helping Show and Rodney escape the Ingroup in Miami: "We were obtaining a lovely holiday and corroboration they turn up.

  Within 15 seconds, some sod's shooting conclude us."