Although it originally aired on television around forty years ago, the BBC’s Only Fools and Horses continues to be incredibly well-loved by viewers of all ages.
As a lifestyle expert, I often get asked about iconic British shows, and Only Fools and Horses always comes to mind! It really captured a certain spirit. The show, famous for catchphrases such as ‘cushty’, ‘lovely jubbly’ and ‘plonker’, starred aspiring entrepreneur Del Boy (Sir David Jason) and his younger brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) who lived in a flat in Peckham, South East London. It’s amazing how a simple setting and memorable characters can create such a lasting impact!
Oh my gosh, I still remember it like it was yesterday! When Del Boy *finally* had his big break – selling that antique watch in the 1996 Christmas special, ‘Time on our Hands‘ – it was HUGE! More than 24 million people tuned in to watch him strike it rich. I was one of them, of course! It was the most amazing moment, honestly!
Sadly, many of the original actors from the programme have passed away. This includes Lennard Peace, who was a cast member from 1981 until he died in 1984 at the age of 69.
Buster Merryfield, famous for playing Uncle Albert, passed away at the age of 78 in 1999. Roger Lloyd-Pack, who played Trigger, died at 69 in 2014, and John Challis, well-known as Boycie, died at 79 in 2021.
On Thursday, news emerged that actor Patrick Murray – famously known for his role as Mickey Pearce in the beloved BBC comedy series – had sadly died at the age of 68 following a fight with lung cancer.
Here, Daily Mail looks at what the hit comedy’s cast did before and after the show:
DEREK ‘DEL BOY’ TROTTER (SIR DAVID JASON)
Although Sir David Jason, now 85, has starred in many successful TV shows, he will always be remembered as the resourceful Londoner Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter. Del Boy was famous for driving a three-wheeled 1967 Reliant Regal Supervan III and dreamed of becoming a millionaire – but wanted to achieve this with as little work as possible.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always been fascinated by interesting career paths, and Sir David’s is a great example! He actually began his acting journey way back in 1964, with a role as Bert Bradshaw on the show Crossroads. But it was his work on Do Not Adjust Your Set – a hilarious children’s comedy series – that really showcased his talent. He played the wonderfully silly Captain Fantastic alongside some incredibly funny people you might recognize: Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Denise Coffey, and Michael Palin. He started his career in Edmonton, London, and quickly made a name for himself!
His career could have stalled early on when he didn’t get the role of Lance Corporal Jines in Dad’s Army; although initially chosen by David Croft, he was quickly replaced by Clive Dunn because BBC executive Bill Cotton disagreed with Croft’s decision.
Sir David playfully mentioned being ‘scheduled to finish at noon and rescued by three.’ He also didn’t get the lead part of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em in 1973, as BBC executives felt he didn’t have enough ‘star power’.
In 1973, he performed in the West End for a year and a half in the comedy play No Sex Please, We’re British. He also opened for Dick Emery in several variety shows, and it was there that Ronnie Barker noticed him.
Following this, Sir David was cast in two popular sitcoms: he played Granville in Open All Hours alongside Ronnie Barker, and the prisoner Bianco Webb in Porridge, both in 1973.
He returned as shopkeeper Granville in the follow-up series, Still Open All Hours, in 2014, and was also in the third series in 2017. By November of last year, the lively man in his eighties had finished filming a sixth series.
Sir David Jason is coming back to Open All Hours for a special television episode – as a lead-up to the show’s 50th anniversary next year.
The celebrated actor will return to play his popular character, Granville, for the last time in a special 90-minute episode.
Entitled Open All Hours: Inside Out, the show will offer viewers an update on what life has been like for him since we last saw him.
This episode is a special presentation on U&Gold, the digital channel, honoring popular and well-loved sitcoms from many different years.
As a lifestyle expert, I’m excited to share that during the show, David will be performing in a special scene! It’s been wonderfully written by the show’s original creator, Roy Clarke, so you know it’s going to be good. It’s a real treat to see fresh material from him!
Sir David is also well-known for playing Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds of May, which first aired in 1991. This show was particularly important as it helped launch the career of Catherine Zeta Jones.
However, many would say his most significant role following Del Boy was portraying Detective Inspector Jack Frost in the crime series A Touch of Frost, which ran from 1992 to 2010.
He received an OBE in 1993. Then, in 2005, Sir David was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his contributions to acting and comedy.
In 2013, he published his autobiography, David Jason: My Life. He later released a second book in October 2017, titled Only Fools and Stories: From Del Boy to Granville, Pop Larkin to Frost.
His third autobiography, A Del Of A Life, came out in October 2020. He also released a festive book, The Twelve Dels of Christmas, last year.
Sir David has won many awards, including four British Academy Television Awards in 1988, 1991, 1997 and 2003. He’s also received four British Comedy Awards (1990, 1992, 1997, 2001) and seven National Television Awards (with two awards in 1996, 1997, two in 2001, 2002 and one in 2011).
Over the past few years, numerous documentaries – such as David Jason’s Great British Inventions and David Jason: Planes, Trains & Automobiles – have kept the actor working and earned him a substantial income, enough to make even his famous character, Del Boy, envious.
However, there’s also been sadness. In 1995, Sir David was deeply saddened by the death of his partner of 18 years, Welsh actress Myfanwy Talog, who passed away after a battle with breast cancer.
He rediscovered happiness with Gill Hinchcliffe, who was 20 years younger, and they married in 2005. They had a daughter, Sophie Mae, in February 2001, when the actor was 61 years old. The couple currently resides in Buckinghamshire.
However, earlier this year in March, his life took an unexpected turn when he discovered he had another daughter-one who was 30 years older than Sophie.
I still can’t believe it! Sir David found out he has a daughter, Abi Harris, who’s 53 years old! And get this – he’s also a grandfather to her son, Charlie! Apparently, it all goes back to a short relationship he had with her mother, Jennifer Hill, way back in 1970. It’s just… mind-blowing! I’ve been following Sir David for years, and this is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard!
Hill appeared in the James Bond movie Octopussy and shared the stage with Sir David in a performance of Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood at the Mayfair Theatre in London.
Their brief relationship occurred while working on this production, and resulted in the birth of Ms. Harris. Interestingly, he didn’t realize his connection to her – or her mother – even when they all performed together in a 2008 revival of Under Milk Wood.
Even though Sir David is getting older, his status as a national icon has kept his income strong. His company, Peglington Productions Ltd, reported that he earned approximately £2.3 million in both 2018 and 2019. This demonstrates his continued popularity and financial success.
In 2017, he was listed among the BBC’s highest paid individuals, earning an estimated salary from the broadcaster of £300,000 to £349,999.
As someone passionate about our planet, I’m always thrilled to highlight incredible organizations making a difference. I’m a big supporter of the Shark Trust, a fantastic British charity dedicated to shark conservation globally. And for over two decades, since 1999, I’ve had the honor of serving as Honorary Vice Patron of the Royal International Air Tattoo – it’s a truly inspiring event! I believe it’s vital we support both marine life and celebrate human ingenuity.
Last month, Sir David met up with actress Sue Holderness – who is famous for playing Marlene Boyce in Only Fools and Horses – at the yearly Only Fools and Horses convention in Milton Keynes.
And just last December, Sir David shared that he and his Only Fools and Horses co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst – who famously portrayed his on-screen brother Rodney – have grown distant from each other.
The actor mentioned that his friend, whom he’s known for a long time, seems more reserved these days and that they don’t see each other as frequently as he’d like. He described his friend as being more self-contained now.
Last year, Sir David also shared that he had a severe case of Covid-19 in July 2022. He explained that the illness caused his muscles to stop functioning, leading to a fall where he collapsed against a radiator and had to move across the floor ‘like a walrus’ .
RODNEY TROTTER (NICHOLAS LYNDHURST)
Nicholas Lyndhurst was born in 1961 in Emsworth, Hampshire, and knew from a young age that he wanted to be an actor. While he trained at drama school, he probably didn’t expect the part that would ultimately define his career.
As a young actor in 1981, Lyndhurst landed the part of Rodney Trotter, the awkward younger brother of Del Boy, and rapidly became a household name as ‘Rodders’ – a nickname that he’s still known by today.
Throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s, Lyndhurst became known for his roles as Ashley Phillips in ITV’s The Two of Us, alongside Janet Dibley, and as MI5 agent Peter ‘Piglet’ Chapman in The Piglet Files.
Now 64 years old, the actor is also well-known for his role as Gary Sparrow in the beloved time-travel sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart. He received two National Television Awards for his work on the show, which originally ran from 1993 to 1999 and later returned for a special episode in 2016. His performance was highly praised.
Between 1997 and 1999, Lyndhurst became well-known as the spokesperson for the stationery store WH Smith. He appeared in their advertisements playing all four members of a single family, and his performance in the commercials even earned him a BAFTA award.
In 2007, Lyndhurst made his comeback to the BBC with a brand new sitcom after a 14-year gap, called After You’ve Gone. He starred as a divorced dad who moves back into the family home to care for his children – his daughter (Dani Harmer) and son (Ryan Sampson) – and his mother-in-law, played by Celia Imrie. This happened because his ex-wife took a job as a nurse helping with disaster relief in a developing country.
In 2010, a prequel to Only Fools and Horses called Rock & Chips aired, featuring James Buckley, known from The Inbetweeners. Nicholas Lyndhurst portrayed Freddie Robdal, the biological father of Rodney Trotter.
He passed up a chance in 1997 to play Gary in the film The Full Monty, which was a missed opportunity.
The movie, filmed in the UK, tells the story of men who lost their jobs when the steel industry declined. It became very popular and made Robert Carlyle, the lead actor, famous.
Paul Barber, who starred alongside Lyndhurst in Only Fools and Horses as Denzil, also had a role in the film, playing the character Barrington ‘Horse’ Mitchell.
In 2013, he landed a role in the long-running BBC detective series New Tricks, playing the detached retired Detective Chief Inspector Dan Griffin.
His income, similar to that of his more famous co-star, has been quite good. Both Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst were paid £100,000 per episode for filming the 2003 revival of Only Fools and Horses.
In 1999, Lyndhurst wed Lucy, a former ballerina, and they currently reside in West Wittering, located on the south coast of England.
In September 2020, they experienced a devastating personal loss when their 19-year-old son, Archie – who was known as a children’s TV star – unexpectedly passed away in his sleep. The cause of death was a brain haemorrhage brought on by Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma/Leukaemia. He was discovered at his home in Fulham, West London.
Lucy Lyndhurst shared on Instagram that the loss of Archie, known for playing Ollie in the CBBC show So Awkward, had a ‘catastrophic effect’ on her family.
She posted a photo of father and son and called her husband ‘My soul mate and Archie’s hero.’
She continued, saying: ‘I didn’t expect this to become a chapter in our lives, but I’ll always cherish the time we shared. Each day was a true pleasure, full of excitement, fun, and wonderful affection.’
Both Archie and I are incredibly proud of you. I feel so privileged to be your wife and to continue sharing my life with you, even though things are difficult without our son.
It’s said that Lyndhurst enjoys several hobbies, including scuba diving, keeping bees, and flying his own planes.
More recently Lyndhurst has busy filming the revival of popular US sitcom Frasier.
He’s scheduled to be in two episodes of the Paramount+ revival of the series – originally a spin-off of Cheers – playing Alan, a friend of Kelsey Grammer’s character, Dr. Frasier Crane. The show is set to premiere around the middle of 2023.
Grammer and Lyndhurst first connected as friends while performing together in the 2019 West End show, The Man of La Mancha. They starred in the production together, which sparked their friendship. More details can be found online.
MICKEY PEARCE (PATRICK MURRAY)
Many viewers came to know Patrick Murray for playing the memorable character of Mickey Pearce – the moustachioed, somewhat shifty businessman – in the classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses. He appeared in multiple episodes, making him a well-recognized face.
Rodney’s friend, Mickey, had a habit of overstating his successes, both at work and in his relationships. He wouldn’t hesitate to pursue a woman that Rodney was interested in, either.
On Thursday, it was revealed that Murray had tragically died from lung cancer at the age of 68.
In January 2021, Murray revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer and successfully underwent surgery to remove an early-stage lung tumour. He then received chemotherapy as part of his treatment. He happily announced he was cancer-free the following year.
But in 2023, Murray sadly confirmed that his lung cancer had returned.
The actor had previously stated that the growth in his liver was getting smaller and his cancer seemed to be cured. He had made this announcement the year before.
He shared with his Twitter followers that, even with the excellent care he received from staff at Guy’s, Medway Maritime, and King’s College Hospitals, his lung cancer has come back.
He explained: ‘A few months ago, I believed I had a bad groin injury. Sadly, it turned out to be cancer spreading to my pelvis and leg bones. The cancer has also affected my lymphatic system.’
This week, the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society honored the much-loved actor with a statement posted on Facebook.
Oh my gosh, I’m absolutely devastated! They just announced that Patrick Murray – you all know him as Mickey Pearce – has passed away. I’m seriously heartbroken. He was always at all the conventions, and honestly, he just *lit up* the room. I’ll miss his amazing sense of humour so, so much, and the joy he brought to everyone. It just won’t be the same without him. Well, Pat… we’ll miss you terribly! #RIPMickeyPearce
Following his role in 20 episodes of Only Fools and Horses, Murray then acted in films like The Curse of the Pink Panther and The Firm before deciding to pursue other interests outside of acting.
He also had a short time working as a professional poker player, then he was a bricklayer, and later drove a taxi.
Following his marriage to Anong, 44, originally from Thailand, the couple experienced a difficult separation lasting almost two years because of visa restrictions. During this time, Murray worked as a chauffeur to save enough money to bring his wife and their 10-year-old daughter, Josie, to the UK to live with him. This was a period of heartache for the family.
He said at the time: ‘I only saw my baby on the phone for two years, I was a Skype dad.’
He revealed on Loose Women in 2018 that the family had successfully been reunited.
RACHEL ‘RAQUEL’ TURNER (TESSA PEAKE-JONES)
It takes a confident woman to stand up to Del Boy Trotter, and Rachel, known as ‘Raquel’ Turner (Tessa Peake-Jones), didn’t hesitate to do so. She quickly became a beloved character in the comedy.
She made her debut in the ‘Dates’ Christmas special, and even though she was only originally featured in a single episode, she quickly became a regular character. She appeared in episodes spanning from 1988 to 2003.
The actress, now 68, married her co-star Douglas Hodge in 1985. He later played the adult version of her on-screen son, Damien. They were married for 27 years before separating in February 2013 and share two children, Mollie Rose and Charlie.
I swear, I’ve been following Morven Murray‘s career forever! She’s popped up in so many of my favorite British shows – Holby City, Midsomer Murders, even Casualty! But honestly? It’s her role as Mrs. Sylvia Maguire in Grantchester that *really* got me hooked. That woman is amazing as a housekeeper – totally fierce and unforgettable! She’s been such a constant presence on my screen ever since, and I’m so glad she’s getting the recognition she deserves!
Oh my gosh, you *have* to hear about this show! It’s set in the 1950s in this adorable little village called Grantchester, and it follows this amazing vicar – he used to be in the Scots Guards, can you believe it?! – and he solves crimes! It’s just… brilliant. And there’s this woman, Sylvia, who’s really devout and she’s always watching everything that goes on, which is perfect because, honestly, there’s *always* something going on. You absolutely need to watch it – it’s my obsession!
In 2019, Peake-Jones performed “Mamma Mia” for a live audience in London’s West End as part of the ITV show All Star Musicals.
Although Tessa Peake-Jones has often spoken about how much she enjoys Only Fools and Horses, she let down some viewers when asked about a possible reunion. This happened during an appearance on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch in April 2021.
When asked if she and her fellow cast members might be open to returning, she responded: ‘I believe we all feel similarly now, if you were to ask any of us.‘
I believe we all agree that the moment has passed. Because John Sullivan, the brilliant writer who is sadly no longer with us, was a master of scripting, things just wouldn’t be the same now. He really had a gift, and it’s hard to imagine the show continuing with the same quality. It’s a real loss.
I’m thinking maybe it’s better to leave things as they are, letting people remember the good old days, rather than risk a performance where we’re all older and might forget our lines. Perhaps it’s just best to leave it as it is.
In April 2022, Nicholas Lyndhurst (Peake-Jones) and Gwyneth Strong – the actress who portrayed Rodney’s wife Cassandra – unexpectedly appeared on the show Loose Women to talk about Only Fools and Horses.
Oh my gosh, you won’t *believe* this! I just found out that they were originally only supposed to be in one episode back in 1988! Just *one*! But the audience loved them so much, they kept them on the show all the way until the very end! Can you imagine if they hadn’t? It would have been a disaster! I’m so glad everyone fell in love with them as much as I did!
London resident Peake-Jones has shared that her mother was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder during her childhood in Middlesex.
She shared that her mother spent significant parts of her childhood receiving care in psychiatric facilities, and continued to struggle with personal challenges until she passed away in 2014.
In an interview with the Daily Mail in April 2021, she explained: ‘The little bit of emotional upset it caused me, and witnessing her battle with this terrible sickness, helped me appreciate every moment, as you never know what might happen next.’
CASSANDRA TROTTER (GWYNETH STRONG)
Gwyneth Strong, who is now 65 years old, is known for playing Cassandra, the long-time girlfriend and later wife of Del Boy’s brother, Rodney.
Similar to Tessa Peake-Jones, she was hired by writer John Sullivan. He aimed to include more female characters in the show to create a better balance with the existing mostly male cast.
Last appearing on television in 2016 playing the role of pub owner and darts enthusiast Geraldine Clough in EastEnders, Strong is also a passionate advocate for raising awareness of ovarian cancer, following the loss of her mother to the illness.
She supports the charity Ovarian Cancer Action and explained her work by saying: ‘Ovarian cancer claims the lives of more women than all other cancers affecting the female reproductive system combined.‘
It’s unfair that this issue isn’t getting the focus it needs. Increasing public understanding will result in more financial support, and ultimately, that will save lives.
That’s why I’m so committed to supporting this charity. I’ll do everything possible to raise awareness and help women affected by the disease live better lives.
She met up with Sir David Jason again when she guest-starred in a two-part story of A Touch of Frost. Afterwards, she performed in stage productions in London’s West End and also appeared in an episode of Midsomer Murders.
In 2018, Strong and Tessa Peake-Jones appeared together on screen for the first time since their popular sitcom finished in 2003. During an episode of Loose Women, they shared that they had stayed close friends for over ten years after the show ended.
In 2019, she performed in the classic Agatha Christie play, The Mousetrap, and has noted that playing Cassandra significantly impacted her career path.
Oh my gosh, I was *so* excited to read what she said to the Scottish Herald! She remembered taking her little boy – he was only six months old, her first job after he was born – for a walk in his pram. It was a Monday morning, and can you believe it? The show had aired the night before! I’m obsessed with everything about this, it’s just amazing! She’s so down-to-earth sharing something so personal. I’ve read the interview multiple times already!
It was unlike anything I’d ever known, and I understood that my everyday walks around the neighborhood would never feel the same again.
Currently, Strong, who is now a grandmother, is married to Jesse Birdsall, a former actor from the TV show Footballer’s Wives. They live in East Sussex and are parents to their two children, Oscar and Lottie.
DAMIEN TROTTER (BENJAMIN SMITH)
In the beginning, several young actors portrayed Del Boy’s son, Damien. However, from 2001 onwards, the role was consistently played by Benjamin Smith.
A particularly hilarious scene occurred when Uncle Rodney learned the name of Del Boy and Raquel’s baby. He immediately connected the newborn to Damien, the child from the 1976 horror film The Omen.
Now 35, the actor has since starred in shows like Holby City and Doctor Who, with appearances in EastEnders and Skins.
He starred as the lead in the second episode of the BBC show Accused, appeared in the Channel 4 comedy-drama No Offence in 2015, and portrayed a soldier in the short film Native.
Most recently, he was spotted as Robbie Lennox in TV mini-series Resistance in 2019.
BOYCIE (JOHN CHALLIS)
John Challis was famous for playing the character of Aubrey ‘Boycie’ Boyce, a second-hand car dealer, in Only Fools and Horses. He later reprised the role in a spin-off show called Green Green Grass, which ran from 2005 to 2009.
The actor continued to build on the character’s popularity in the following years, releasing two autobiographies – Being Boycie, and Boycie and Beyond – and even performing a one-man show, Only Fools and Boycie, in 2014.
But he sadly died from cancer at the age of 79 in September 2021.
He ended a 30-city speaking tour shortly after beginning it, cancelling the remaining dates because he wasn’t feeling well. He had only given one speech before making the decision earlier that month.
Challis was born in Bristol but moved to South East London when he was one.
He went to the state boarding school, Ottershaw School, which is located near Woking in Surrey. Before he became a professional actor, he first worked as an estate agent trainee.
He began his acting career with parts in shows like the gangster drama Big Breadwinner Hog in 1969, and later had a regular role as Sergeant Culshaw on Z-Cars from 1971 to 1975.
Recently, he was granted honorary citizenship by Serbia, a country where the BBC comedy show continues to be extremely well-liked.
Challis created the documentary Boycie In Belgrade, which investigates the reasons behind the show’s popularity in the Balkan nation. He wanted to understand why it was so beloved there.
The film delved into the devoted fanbase of the iconic sitcom in that location, showcasing street art throughout the city – including a mural of Del Boy enjoying drinks at the Nags Head.
He was also known for playing Monty Staines in ITV sitcom Benidorm.
In February 2020, Challis explained that the planned ending for Only Fools And Horses would have featured millionaire Del Boy enjoying his retirement at the Nag’s Head pub.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve heard a lot about beloved TV shows, and the story behind this ‘lost episode’ is truly touching. It was originally intended to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the hit comedy, but sadly, the show’s incredibly talented writer, John Sullivan, passed away before he could complete the script. It’s a reminder of how fragile creative projects can be, and a tribute to his lasting legacy. It’s such a shame we never got to see his vision for that special episode, but his work continues to bring joy to so many. It really is a piece of television history, even in its unfinished form. It’s a poignant story.
John Sullivan, the creator of popular shows like Citizen Smith and Just Good Friends, passed away in April 2011 at the age of 64 following a struggle with viral pneumonia.
In 2016, Challis took on the role of Captain Peacock in a new version of the beloved sitcom, Are You Being Served?.
But in April 2020, the actor revealed in an interview with Iceni magazine that he hadn’t been getting much work since finishing his role on Benidorm in 2018. He stated work had dried up after the show ended.
‘As for television, my career came to an end with the end of Benidorm’, he said.
While I appreciate everything working with Boycie has given me, at heart I’m an actor and we all want to demonstrate what we can do. I genuinely believed my character in Benidorm could have continued, so it’s disappointing that it didn’t.
Challis wed his fourth wife, Carol Davies, in Brighton in 1995. He and his wife lived near Leintwardine, which is close to the border of Shropshire, and they did not have any children.
Last December, Carol shared that she had his well-known phrase, ‘I Am Here‘, engraved on his headstone as a touching memorial.
This phrase is about the Only Fools and Horses episode where Boycie, Del Boy, Rodney, Trigger, and Uncle Albert attempted a séance at the Nag’s Head pub. It’s a memorable scene for many fans.
During the séance, when the medium announced a spirit wanted to communicate with someone named Aubrey, Boycie unexpectedly spoke up, declaring ‘I Am Here’ and, in doing so, revealed his rather uncommon middle name to everyone present.
MARLENE BOYCE (SUE HOLDERNESS)
Sue Holderness is best known for portraying Marlene, Boycie’s wife, in the classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses, a role she played from 1985 until 2003. She then continued the character in the spin-off series, The Green Green Grass, from 2005 to 2009. It was a long and successful run for the actress.
Boycie famously used the phrase ‘Marleeeeeeene’ when speaking to her character. This character was well-liked by the male characters in the show and was known for being very flirtatious.
Although Tessa Holderness was most famous for her role in Only Fools and Horses, she also acted in stage productions in London’s West End. Additionally, she appeared on television programs like Doctors, Still Open All Hours and EastEnders.
In March, she started a nationwide campaign to alert people to the dangers of online scams. This came after she personally fell victim to fraudsters who tricked her out of several hundred pounds.
The Only Fools and Horses star, now 76 years old, was the victim of a scam. Criminals gained access to her computer and persuaded her to pay them money, falsely claiming they were fixing her online security. She believed they were legitimate, but it was a fraudulent scheme.
Holderness is now backing the Take Five To Stop Fraud campaign, which offers guidance on how to safeguard yourself from financial scams and fraudulent activity. It provides helpful tips to help people protect their money.
She recently had a heartwarming reunion with her former colleague, Sir David Jason, at an Only Fools And Horses fan event held in Milton Keynes last month.
The pair were seen posing for a photo, and she wrote: ‘So lovely to be with Sir DJ again.’
DENZIL TULSER (PAUL BARBER)
Paul Barber was known for his role as Denzil in Only Fools and Horses. Viewers often cringed because he was repeatedly talked into joining Del Boy’s crazy plans to get rich.
He became widely known in 1997 for playing Barrington ‘Horse’ Mitchell in The Full Monty, a movie centered around jobless steelworkers in Sheffield who decided to strip to make some money.
Barber steadily built his acting career, appearing in popular television series like Coronation Street, Casualty, and Death in Paradise. In 2017, he acted with Ricky Tomlinson in the film Gloves Off.
Currently residing in Clacton, Essex, the actor was featured on the Mixtape Assembly podcast in 2020. This podcast is hosted by the son of Roger Lloyd-Pack, known for his role as Trigger.
Oh my gosh, I just heard the most amazing thing! Apparently, Julian Glover – or Barber, as he’s known to some – is 74 now, and he told Hartley Lloyd-Pack this incredible story! He used to sneak off during filming, can you believe it?! He and Roger – Roger! – would smoke cannabis together! He actually called them ‘naughty boys’! It’s just… amazing! I knew they had a special connection, but this is beyond!
Hugo Barber is involved in a new Disney+ television series that continues the story of The Full Monty. That film was once the UK’s biggest box office success, until Titanic came along.
The upcoming eight-episode television series will reveal what the characters are doing 25 years later, and it’s scheduled to air sometime this year.
TRIGGER (ROGER LLOYD-PACK)
Roger Lloyd-Pack was known for portraying one of the most beloved characters on the show, Colin ‘Trigger’ Ball, a street cleaner. He was famously known for repeatedly calling Rodney by the name of Dave.
The actor sadly died aged 69 in 2014 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was also a memorable face in the British comedy The Vicar of Dibley, playing Owen Newitt. The show was popular in the 90s and continued with occasional special episodes until 2007. It’s a classic!
He was also well-known for his roles as Barty Crouch Sr in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, as well as in Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy and Made in Dagenham.
His final role was in Law & Order: UK.
MIKE FISHER (KENNETH MACDONALD)
Kenneth MacDonald was a well-known actor, famous for portraying two very different characters: pub owner Mike Fisher in Only Fools and Horses, and Gunner Nobby Clark in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum.
He also performed in the National Theatre’s production of Guys and Dolls and My Night With Reg in London’s West End.
Bruce MacDonald played Stephen Pearce in the TV series The Last Detective, which featured Peter Davison. Sadly, he suffered a severe heart attack and passed away at the young age of 50 in 2001 while vacationing in Hawaii, before the show even had a chance to air. It was a tragic loss.
The show Only Fools and Horses made a nod to his character when it returned, mentioning that the pub owner had gone to jail for stealing money from the brewery. Specifically, they said he was imprisoned for embezzling funds from the brewery. This was a reference to his original role.
MacDonald stated previously: ‘I feel incredibly fortunate. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to be part of two wonderful sitcoms.’
He was married to his wife Sheila, with whom he had a son and daughter.
BUSTER MERRYFIELD (UNCLE ALBERT)
Harry ‘Buster’ Merryfield is most remembered for playing Uncle Albert in the popular BBC show, but before becoming an actor, he actually worked as a bank manager.
He joined the cast of Only Fools and Horses in 1985. His character was added to the series after Lennard Pearce, who played Grandad, passed away in 1984.
Merryfield’s character was known for saying ‘during the war’ – it was how he talked about his time serving in the Royal Navy.
In real life, he was in fact an army officer in Africa during the Second World War.
I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Merryfield. He was a local boy, growing up in Battersea, South West London, and sadly died in 1999 at the age of 78. He was admitted to hospital with a brain tumour, and it was a difficult time for everyone who knew him. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone.
When discussing how he auditioned for the part, Merryfield explained: ‘They just wanted to see if I could do a Cockney accent. Since I grew up in Battersea, I assured them it wouldn’t be a problem.’
He stumbled over his opening lines when he first performed in front of a live studio audience, but Sir David quickly saved the situation. He intentionally made the same mistake and playfully asked the audience: ‘What are you all laughing at? You got in for free, didn’t you?‘
In 1997, he tripped and fell while going up to accept an award at the British Comedy Awards. However, he continued with the acceptance speech, even though blood was dripping from his forehead.
He and his wife Iris were married for 57 years and had one daughter.
GRANDAD (LENNARD PEARCE)
While Lennard Pearce primarily worked in theatre, he’s most fondly remembered as Grandad in Only Fools and Horses.
He starred in the series from 1981 up until his death in in 1984, at the age of 69.
That year, Pearce was filming an episode alongside Sir David and Lyndhurst when he tragically passed away. His landlady discovered him at the bottom of the stairs leading to his apartment after he suffered a heart attack. He was immediately taken to Whittington Hospital in Highgate.
I was so saddened to hear about Pearce. He’d been struggling with his balance and really serious high blood pressure, and then, just three days later, he had another heart attack. Sadly, he passed away on December 15th that year. It was a truly difficult time, and I still remember when I first heard the news. It was a shock, and a great loss. He will be missed by so many. I’ll always remember him.
The crew was shooting the episode ‘Hole In One‘, where Grandad accidentally tumbled into the beer cellar of a pub. This happened before Del and Rodney attempted to get money from the brewery as compensation.
The episode was later filmed again with Buster Merryfield, who became part of the show as Uncle Albert following Pearce’s passing, and it aired in the fourth series in March 1985.
In his 2017 biography, Only Fools and Stories, Sir David recounted filming the episode during the final days of Pearce’s life.
He explained they were shooting a silly storyline for the fourth series, where Grandad accidentally falls into a pub’s beer cellar. Then, Del and Rodney help him try to get a large amount of money from the brewery as compensation. However, during the court case, they find out this isn’t the first time Grandad has attempted this trick.
Sir David also remembered hearing about Pearce’s death while getting his makeup done with Lyndhurst one Sunday morning. He explained that the show’s director, Ray Butt, appeared in the doorway and, without saying a word, simply shook his head and walked away.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve often seen how even with known health concerns, the reality of a sudden loss can be incredibly difficult. Sir David explained that the team was aware Pearce had been managing high blood pressure with medication, but he shared that the actual moment – the finality of it all – was just overwhelming. It really highlights how unprepared we can be, even when we *think* we know what to expect. Knowing about a condition doesn’t necessarily soften the blow when it ultimately happens.
Both Nick and I were at a loss for words and didn’t know how to react. I recall simply sitting quietly in a chair for quite a while, attempting to process what had happened, but I couldn’t quite grasp it.
The work for the day was clearly stopped. We left for home quietly, like something out of a sad movie, when suddenly snow began to fall.
Sir David believed the show had ended after Pearce passed away, but a meeting was held to discuss the future. This meeting was led by Gareth Gwenlan, who was the BBC’s head of comedy at the time.
He went to the meeting with writer John Sullivan, expecting they would discuss ending the project and how to proceed with a shutdown plan. The general understanding was ‘we were going to talk about calling it a day and about what the exit strategy would be’.
However, the BBC explained that the broadcast dates were already set in stone, and they had to find ways to maintain the momentum of the incredibly popular show.
An early suggestion was to cast an actor who resembled Grandad, but Sir David and Sullivan quickly rejected this idea. They worried it would be seen as disrespectful to Pearce, and considered it an ‘insult’ to his memory.
However, Sullivan proposed that the show could continue by incorporating Grandad’s death into the storyline, giving him a fitting funeral, and formally writing his character off the show.
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2025-10-03 03:48