Only Fools And Horses Star Dies

Alright, mate? You won't believe what I've just heard. One of the lads from Only Fools and Horses, you know, that classic sitcom that's been making us chuckle for decades? Well, one of the main boys has popped his clogs. Now, don't you go getting all somber on me, we're gonna celebrate his life and laugh about the good times, yeah?

Who's the Lad That's Gone?

So, the bloke we're talking about here is John Challis. Ring any bells? No? Well, maybe this will jog your memory - he was the one playing Boycie, that smooth-talking, dodgy dealer with the flashy suits and the even flashier car. You know, the one who was always trying to outdo Del Boy and his crew.

From Boycie to a Knight in Shining Armor

Now, you might be thinking, 'Boycie? Really? He was such a git!' But hold your horses, because John Challis was actually a bit of a gent in real life. In fact, he was made an MBE - that's a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for all you non-Brits out there - for his services to drama. Fancy that, eh? Boycie, a knight in shining armor. Who would've thought?

And get this, he wasn't just an actor, oh no. Our John was also a bit of a wordsmith. He wrote a couple of books, one of 'em was even called 'Being Boycie'. Can you believe it? The man who played the ultimate second-hand car salesman wrote a book. I reckon Del would've been proud, don't you?

Remembering the Good Times

But enough about John's knighthood and literary prowess, let's talk about what he's really known for - playing Boycie in Only Fools and Horses. Now, I don't know about you, but I reckon one of the best bits was when Boycie tried to outdo Del with his own catchphrases. Remember 'You know it makes sense'? Well, Boycie had his own version - 'You know it makes double sense'! Classic, ain't it?

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And who could forget the time Boycie tried to sell Del a dodgy car? The one that was 'as sound as a pound' but ended up being a right old lemon. Poor old Del, always getting conned by Boycie. But that's what made it so funny, wasn't it?

From Peckham to the West End

Now, you might think that Only Fools and Horses was just a little sitcom about a bunch of dodgy geezers in Peckham. But no, mate, it was a bloody big deal. It was on the telly for nearly 20 years, had millions of viewers tuning in every week, and even had a West End show! That's right, Boycie and the gang were treading the boards in the heart of London. Fancy that, eh?

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And if that wasn't enough, the show's creator, John Sullivan, once said that Boycie was one of his favorite characters. High praise indeed, coming from the bloke who created the likes of Del Boy, Rodney, and Uncle Albert. So, you know Boycie must've been something special.

So Long, Boycie

Now, I know we've been having a laugh and reminiscing about the good times, but it's only right that we take a moment to say 'so long' to John Challis. He might've played a bit of a git on the telly, but in real life, he was a proper gent. And he'll always be remembered for making us laugh, even if it was at Boycie's expense.

So, here's to you, John. You were a bloody good actor, a proper gent, and a bit of a wordsmith to boot. We'll miss you, mate. And we'll always have Only Fools and Horses to remind us of the good times. Cheers.