David Jason pays tribute to Only Fools & Horses co-star after Boycie actor dies aged 79

FRANK BRUNO SAYS HE ‘CANNOT BELIEVE’ THE SAD NEWS OF JOHN CHALLIS’ DEATH

Former heavyweight champion boxer Frank Bruno tweeted: “John Challis RIP cannot believe it.

“(He) used to say to me ‘Franklyn my dear boy how the devil are you boxed anybody round the ears recently?’

“Loved all the TV he did.”

BBC CHIEF CONTENT OFFICE PAYS TRIBUTE JOHN CHALLIS

Charlotte Moore, chief content officer of the BBC, which aired Only Fools And Horses, paid tribute to John Challis.

She said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Challis.

“A wonderful actor who will forever be remembered for playing Boycie in Only Fools And Horses, a character so well loved by millions.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

CONTINUED:

Describing Challis as “a real stand-up actor”, Jeff Nicholson from Only Fools & Horses musical said: “He wanted to keep his eye on it. We messaged quite a lot especially through when it shut, then when it was going to open again – all the developments, he always wanted to know.

“It was a nice relationship and it was obviously very sad at the end when I asked him if he was coming to see the show again, because I didn’t quite know how bad.

“I know he hadn’t been well for a while, but I didn’t know how bad. He said, ‘Unfortunately not, but carry the torch for us, Boycie’ in one of his messages.

“The next thing I know we have messaged as a company to say ‘Send him love’ and (his wife) Carol replies saying ‘I have sent the message to him, he very much appreciated it’.”

BOYCIE ACTOR FROM ONLY FOOLS MUSICAL: ‘JOHN CHALLIS TOLD ME TO CARRY THE TORCH’

The actor playing Boycie in the Only Fools And Horses musical has recalled how John Challis told him to “carry the torch for us” shortly before his death.

Jeff Nicholson met Challis, who died from cancer on Sunday morning aged 79, during the opening night of the West End production in 2019 and the pair continued to exchange messages until shortly before his death.

The show premiered at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in February that year but closed shortly after due to the pandemic, and is due to reopen on October 1.

Nicholson, 39, from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, said Challis had been supportive of him when they met and given the cast his “seal of approval”.

BOYCIE WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO FEATURE IN ONE ONLY FOOLS SCENE

John Challis originally played the role when he was in 30s.

He was only supposed to play the character for one scene during the first series of the show, before becoming a more prominent feature of the cast.

FORMER DOCTOR WHO ACTOR TOM BAKER SAYS HE IS ‘ALL THE POORER FOR HIS LOSS’

Former Doctor Who actor Colin Baker, who appeared alongside John Challis in the 1975 safety information film Drive Carefully, Darling, tweeted: “Oh my goodness. My friend John Challis has died.

“What a lovely man he was funny warm and a great lover of his garden and nature.

“We are all the poorer for his loss.”

WHAT DD THE STATEMENT FROM JOHN CHALLIS’ FAMILY SAY?

A statement from the family of John Challis said: “It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news.

“Our dear friend and yours, John Challis, has died peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer.

“He will always be loved for being ‘Boycie’ and leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come.

“Please respect the privacy of John’s family and friends at this difficult time, and be assured that in the future there will be an occasion to celebrate John’s life – when everyone will be welcome to come along.”

ONLY FOOLS CAST MEMBERS PRAISE ‘BELOVED FRIEND’ AND ‘GENTLEMAN’ JOHN CHALLI

Sir David Jason is among the Only Fools And Horses cast members who have paid tribute to John Challis following his death.

Tributes poured in on Sunday after it was announced Challis had died from cancer at the age of 79.

Sir David, who played Del Boy in the beloved sitcom alongside Challis as second-hand car dealer Boycie, spoke of his “sadness” following the news.

He said in a statement: “It is with much sadness to hear that John Challis, a dear friend, has passed away.

“He was a wonderful actor, a gentleman in the true sense of the word and I know he will be missed by so many.”

WHAT DID JOHN CHALLIS DO AFTER ONLY FOOLS & HORSES

John Challis’ Boycie was so beloved by OFAH fans that he got his own spin-off series, The Green Green Grass.

Challis became well-known for playing Monty in four series of the ITV sitcom Benidorm.

And in 2020, Challis made a documentary, Boycie in Belgrade, exploring how OFAH had become a huge hit in Serbia.

“I felt like a pop star, it was extraordinary,” he told The Sun. “They kept asking me where Marlene was.”

TV WRITER AND GMB PRESENTER ADIL RAY DESCRIBES CHALLIS AS ‘A FABULOUS ACTOR’

TV writer and Good Morning Britain presenter Adil Ray tweeted of John Challis: “Very sad news. What a fabulous actor. A writer’s dream.

“His performance turned Boycie into one of the funniest supporting characters in British sitcom.

“Thoughts with his family & friends.”

FRANK BRUNO SAYS HE ‘CANNOT BELIEVE’ THE SAD NEWS OF JOHN CHALLIS’ DEATH

Former heavyweight champion boxer Frank Bruno tweeted: “John Challis RIP cannot believe it.

“(He) used to say to me ‘Franklyn my dear boy how the devil are you boxed anybody round the ears recently?’

“Loved all the TV he did.”

SIR DAVID JASON PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS ONLY FOOLS CO-STAR

Sir David Jason described John Challis as “a gentleman in the true sense of the word”, following his co-star’s death aged 79.

He said in a statement: “It is with much sadness to hear that John Challis, a dear friend, has passed away. He was a wonderful actor, a gentleman in the true sense of the word and I know he will be missed by so many.”

He said Boycie was “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.”

WHAT OTHER TV APPEARANCES DID JOHN CHALLIS MAKE?

John Challis impressive CV shows he also appeared in a number of successful TV programmes over the years.

These include:

• Dixon of Dock Green
• Thrill
• The Sweeney
• Doctor Who
• Dracula
• Beau Geste
• Juliet Bravo
• Coronation Street
• Bloomers
• Citizen Smith
• Ever Decreasing Circles
• Doctor Snuggles
• Chance in a Million
• The Bill
• One Foot in the Grave
• Open All Hours
• The New Statesman
• Don’t Wait Up
• Soldier Soldier
• Brass Eye
• My Famil
• In Sickness and in Health
• Benidorm
• Heartbeat

BOYCIE WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO FEATURE IN ONE ONLY FOOLS SCENE

John Challis originally played the role when he was in 30s.

He was only supposed to play the character for one scene during the first series of the show, before becoming a more prominent feature of the cast.

EASTENDER’S ACTRESS TRACY-ANN OBERMAN CALLS JOHN CHALLIS ‘AN ICON’

EastEnder’s actress Tracy-Ann Oberman described John Challis as an “icon” following his death aged 79.

She tweeted: “Omg just seen news about John Challis. I’m absolutely gutted .

“He had become such a wonderful friend and ally from meeting here Twitter.

“Love you John you icon and all thoughts to your beloved family. May your memory be a blessing. So sad.”

ALLO’ ALLO’! STAR VICKI MICHELLE SHARED HER SHOCK AT JOHN’S DEATH

‘Allo ‘Allo! actress Vicki Michelle also paid tribute to John Challis.

She said on Twitter: “Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Wonderful John Challis such a fabulous man.

“Loved by the Nation. Condolences to his family and loved ones.”

BENIDORM ACTRESS CRISSY ROCK SHARES HER HEARTBREAK OVER JOHN CHALLIS’ DEATH

Actress Crissy Rock, who appeared in Benidorm with John Challis, was among those paying tribute to the actor.

She said on Twitter: “I am heartbroken to hear the news that the legendary actor @BeingBoycie has sadly passed away.

“John you were a true gentleman and always so loving and supportive towards me.

“I am thinking of your family and close friends at this hard time. Rest well. Crissy xx.”

SOMERSET COUNTY CRICKET CLUB PAY TRIBUTE TO LONG TERM FAN JOHN CHALLIS

In tribute to their long-term fan, Somerset County Cricket Club shared a video filmed with John Challis earlier this year in which he comically announced the extension of a player’s contract.

“Somerset County Cricket Club are extremely saddened to hear about the passing of long term supporter John Challis,” the club tweeted.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

WHAT DID JOHN CHALLIS AFTER ONLY FOOLS & HORSES

John Challis’ Boycie was so beloved by OFAH fans that he got his own spin-off series, The Green Green Grass.

Challis became well-known for playing Monty in four series of the ITV sitcom Benidorm.

And in 2020, Challis made a documentary, Boycie in Belgrade, exploring how OFAH had become a huge hit in Serbia.

“I felt like a pop star, it was extraordinary,” he told The Sun. “They kept asking me where Marlene was.”

JOHN CHALLIS CANCELLED AN UPCOMING SPEAKING TOUR DUE TO ILL HEALTH

Only Fools And Horses star John Challis cancelled a speaking tour due to ill health earlier this month.

Challis, 79, is best-known for his portrayal of unscrupulous second-hand car dealer Boycie in the beloved sitcom alongside Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

He had embarked on a 30-date speaking tour but cancelled after only one appearance.

In a statement to The Sun, tour promoter A Way With Media said: “Due to ill health, John’s tour is cancelled with immediate effect.

“He completed the first show of his present tour, intending to continue. However, he has been advised to cancel further engagements.”

IN PICTURES: SUE HOLDERNESS AND JOHN CHALLIS ATTEND THE 2002 NTA AWARDS

Sue Holderness joined tributes this afternoon to Boycie actor John Challis.

Boycie, a cigar-smoking businessman with a mocking laugh, was married to the feisty Marlene – played by Sue Holderness – and regularly butted heads with Sir David’s Del Boy.

Sue Holderness who played Marlene is pictured John at the National Television Awards back in 2002.

CHALLIS RECENTLY BECAME AN HONORARY CITIZEN OF SERBIA

John Challis recently became an honorary citizen of Serbia, where the BBC sitcom remains hugely popular.

Challis made the documentary Boycie In Belgrade, exploring why the show was so beloved in the Balkan country.

Boycie, a cigar-smoking businessman with a mocking laugh, was married to the feisty Marlene – played by Sue Holderness – and regularly butted heads with Sir David’s Del Boy.

JOHN CHALLIS PREVIOUSLY REVEALED A RARE MOMENT OF TENDERNESS WITH HIS FATHER

Speaking to the Guardian, Challis said: “The only time he let his guard down was when he was quite p***ed and he’d watched me in Tom Stoppard’s play Dirty Linen.

“We were sitting at the kitchen table and he suddenly said ‘I was so proud of you’, and I burst into tears because he’d never, ever said that.

“And then he said ‘How do you do that? How do you get up there on stage and do that?’ I said ‘It’s my job, Dad’. ‘Fantastic’, he said.

“It was an unbelievable breakthrough, but then the doors closed and he never mentioned it again.”

JOHN CHALLIS’ EARLY LIFE AND CAREER

Challis, who has died aged 79, was born in Bristol in 1942 but moved to south-east London with his parents when he was one.

His father was a civil servant from Sheffield while his mother, who harboured dreams of becoming an actress, oversaw plays for youth clubs.

After a brief and unsuccessful attempt at becoming an estate agent, Challis set his sights on a career in the arts.

One of his early roles was as Sergeant Culshaw in police procedural Z-Cars, which he thought was of no interest to his father.

It was only years later that he found out from a family friend how proud his father was. They later shared a rare moment of personal affection.

ACTRESS WHO PLAYED BOYCIE’S WIFE MARLENE PAYS TRIBUTE

Sue Holderness, who played Boycie’s wife Marlene in Only Fools And Horses, paid tribute to John Challis as her “beloved friend”.

She said in a statement: “Marlene without Boycie – it’s unthinkable. John Challis was my partner on screen and stage for 36 years and my beloved friend. R.I.P. darling John. I will miss you every day.”