Statement from Jim Sullivan, son of Only Fools and Horses creator John Sullivan, on behalf of the Sullivan family.

“We are incredibly sad to hear that John Challis has passed away. For over four decades John was an integral and much-loved member of the Only Fools and Horses’ family and, of course, along with Sue Holderness, starred in the spin-off series The Green Green Grass.

“John brought his own unique touch to the character of Boycie, bags of charisma and charm and, of course, that unmistakable trademark laugh. My dad loved that laugh and from the first time he heard it would always include a ‘Boycie does one of his laughs’ in the script stage directions.

“Away from the cameras, John was an immensely kind, witty and erudite man. He will be missed enormously, and our thoughts are with his wife Carol and the rest of his family.”

Published: September 19, 2021