Only Fools and Horses star John Challis’ cancer battle as he dies aged 79

John Challis saved his most cancers battle very personal earlier than his unhappy demise this weekend, however he was pressured to cancel his current one-man tour resulting from ailing well being

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

John Challis: Solely Fools And Horses star dies aged 79

John Challis has tragically handed away after an extended battle with most cancers.

The Solely Fools and Horses star – finest recognized for starring as Boycie within the much-loved sitcom – died peacefully in his sleep.

He had been battling most cancers since 2019 and saved fairly tight-lipped about his well being wrestle.

Not too long ago, he was pressured to cancel his one-man tour resulting from ailing well being, however he was hopeful to be again on stage once more.

An announcement from the tour promoter A Means With Media learn earlier this month: “As a result of ailing well being, John’s tour is cancelled with instant impact.

John Challis tragically died over the weekend

He was finest recognized for enjoying Boycie in Solely Fools and Horses
(

Picture:

BBC)

“John obtained a most cancers analysis two years in the past and isn’t match to carry out. He accomplished the primary present of his current tour, desiring to proceed. Nonetheless, he has been suggested to cancel additional engagements.”

John’s co-star Sue Holderness – who performed his spouse Marlene within the long-running sitcom – spoke briefly about John’s most cancers battle final week, the place she admitted he was “feeling low” amid his well being battle.

Nonetheless, she had urged folks to stay constructive, telling them throughout an look on ITV’s Free Girls: “Let’s all have constructive considering. However don’t be too upset, we had lunch within the pub three weeks in the past.

“And two weeks in the past, precisely I spent all day with him filming a bit of documentary about Solely Fools.

“He’s low in the mean time. However sufficient constructive considering and he’ll get dwelling, have some relaxation and he’ll get again and having us all snicker once more very quickly.”

John was feeling low within the weeks earlier than his demise, in line with his co-star

Tributes have flooded in for John
(

Picture:

Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Sue and John remained nice mates after the present wrapped filming and he was extremely “dissatisfied” to must cancel his tour.

“I do know you’re all as a result of John’s had the analysis that he’s not been nicely,” she added.

“And he’s very dissatisfied that he needed to cancel his one-man tour.”

John and his co-stars have primarily remained tight lipped about his battle with most cancers, earlier than his tragic passing this weekend.

An announcement from the household asserting his demise wrote: “It’s with heavy hearts that we convey you such unhappy information.

“Our pricey pal and yours, John Challis, has died peacefully in his sleep, after an extended battle with most cancers. He’ll at all times be cherished for being ‘Boycie’ and leaves an excellent legacy of labor that may proceed to convey pleasure and smiles for a few years to come back.

John was much-loved by his co-stars and followers internationally
(

Picture:

MDM)

“Please respect the privateness of John’s household and mates at this tough time, and be assured that sooner or later there will probably be an event to have fun John’s life – when everybody will probably be welcome to come back alongside.”

The assertion completed with a nod to his well-known character.

“As Boycie would have stated… you realize it is sensible!” it learn.

Since his unhappy passing was introduced, tributes have flooded in from his co-stars together with Sue and Sir David Jason.

She wrote on Twitter of their three decade bond: “Marlene with out Boycie – it’s unthinkable.

“John Challis was my accomplice on display and stage for 36 years and my beloved pal. R.I.P. darling John. I’ll miss you on daily basis.”

Sue Holderness, David Jason, John Challis, Tessa Peake-Jones and Roger Lloyd-Pack in Solely Fools and Horses
(

Picture:

Getty)

While David – who performed Del Boy – added in his personal assertion: “It’s with a lot disappointment to listen to that John Challis, an expensive pal, has handed away.

“He was a beautiful actor, a gentleman within the true sense of the phrase and I do know he will probably be missed by so many.

“Boycie was a personality so nicely cherished by the various followers of that present so I’m happy that he witnessed the outpouring of admiration not too long ago proven for the 40th anniversary of the primary episode in 1981.

“I ship my love and condolences to his spouse, Carol.”

Learn Extra