The cast from Only Fools And Horses have paid tribute to the late John Challis who passed away aged 79.
Challis known for playing “Boycie” on the popular sitcom passed away following a long battle with cancer, his family revealed.
The actor had already cancelled his spoken word tour earlier this month due to his ongoing health battle.
Among the cast members to pay tribute to Challis were David Jason who played Del Boy and Sue Holderness who played Boycie’s wife on the sitcom, Marlene.
Holderness also starred alongside Challis for the Only Fools And Horses spin off The Green Green Grass.
“A dear friend”
“It is with much sadness to hear that John Challis, a dear friend, has passed away”, David Jason said in a statement.
He added, “He was a wonderful actor, a gentleman in the true sense of the word and I know he will be missed by so many”.
Jason also called Challis’ character Boycie, “a character so well loved by the many fans of that show so I am pleased that he witnessed the outpouring of admiration recently shown for the 40th anniversary of the first episode in 1981″.
“I send my love and condolences to his wife, Carol”.
Sue Holderness also paid an emotional tribute Challis. She described Marlene being without Boycie as “unthinkable”.
“John Challis was my partner on screen and stage for 36 years and my beloved friend. RIP darling John. I will miss you every day”, Holderness wrote.
“Marlene without Boycie, it’s unthinkable”.
Actor Shane Richie who worked with Challis on ITV show Benidorm took to Twitter to pay his own tribute to him.
The former Eastenders star wrote, “The laughs we had sharing tapas & fine wine,such a bleedin honour to be in his company,Being your friend meant the world to me john and I’m so glad I told you and you gave the best man hugs . 4ever in my heart mate . “ Sammy will ALWAYS love you monty “ R.I.P big man”.
The laughs we had sharing tapas & fine wine,such a bleedin honour to be in his company,Being your friend meant the world to me john and I’m so glad I told you and you gave the best man hugs . 4ever in my heart mate . “ Sammy will ALWAYS love you monty “ R.I.P big man ❤️#benidorm pic.twitter.com/YDbcyiBLJQ
— Shane Richie (@realshanerichie) September 19, 2021
Here’s a reminder of why Challis’ portrayal of Boycie was loved by so many.
