Only Fools and Horses

Only Fools and Horses: All the stars who are sadly no longer with us

These stars have sadly passed away since the show ended

There’s nothing quite as British as throwing yourself onto the sofa, grabbing a cup of tea and whacking on the telly.

And for many of us, Only Fools and Horses is the show of choice.

The sitcom was on air from 1981 to 1991 and broadcast Christmas specials until 2003.

It’s so popular that it was even voted Britain’s best sitcom in 2004.

But sadly, not all the stars from the show are still with us.

Lennard Pearce

Lennard played Grandad on the show (Image: BBC)

Del Boy’s grandfather Edward Kitchener ‘Ted’ Trotter, better known as just Grandad, was played by Lennard Pearce in the show’s three first series until his death.

Lennard’s career was mostly in theatre, where he most notably played in Germany in the 1930s and shook Adolf Hitler’s hand.

In 1980, Lennard lost his balance and fell asleep repeatedly during a performance and was subsequently diagnosed with critical hypertension.

Following two heart attacks, he sadly passed away in his flat aged 69.

Buster Merryfield

Buster (right) played Uncle Albert on the show (Image: BBC)

Buster played Uncle Albert on the show, a character that replaced Grandad’s following Lennard’s death.

Unlike his character, who was a heavy drinker and smoker, Buster was the picture of health, even serving as a jungle warfare instructor in the army during World War II.

After retiring from a long and successful career in banking, Buster began to get small acting roles and eventually landed his role as Grandad’s long lost brother on Only Fools and Horses.

He passed away in 1999 due to a brain tumour at the age of 78.

John Challis

John Challis was part of the cast for the show’s entire run (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

John Challis played Terrance Aubrey ‘Boycie’ Boyce on the sitcom for its entire run.

He started his career as an estate agent before joining the theatre.

After transitioning to television, he got several roles in television and eventually got cast as Boycie.

He was so popular on the show that he became an honorary citizen of Serbia.

John had been married four times and was close friends with Ice-T, though the two never actually met.

He passed away from cancer in 2021 at the age of 79.

Roger Lloyd-Pack

Roger Lloyd-pack played Trigger (Image: BBC/PA Wire)

Roger played Trigger on the sitcom for its entire duration.

He was also known for playing Barry Crouch Sr in Harry Potter and John Lumic alongside David Tennant’s Doctor Who.

Roger was a Tottenham Hotspur fan, and the video that plays before every game at the stadium is voiced by him.

He passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 69 at his home in Kentish Town.

Kenneth MacDonald

Kenneth’s character was imprisoned (Image: BBC)

Kenneth played Mike Fisher on Only Fools and Horses from 1983 to 1986.

He landed the role after playing Nobby on the BBC show It Ain’t Half Hot Mum.

Kenneth died suddenly aged 50 from a heart attack while on holiday in Hawaii.

After his death, his character on Only Fools and Horses wasn’t killed off but rather imprisoned for embezzlement.

He also had an episode of Merseybeat in which he starred dedicated to his memory.

Roy Heather

Roy played cafe owner Sid on the sitcom.

Before his acting career, he did several odd jobs including for an asbestos firm and as a household goods salesman.

He then landed several small roles in a variety of British shows including Poirot and My Family.

He passed away at the age of 79 in 2014.

Kim Clifford

Kim played Vicky the barmaid in one episode of the show.

She was best known as Sandra Hallam in London’s Burning and also starred in BAFTA award winning play Bar Mitzvah Boy at the age of 13.

She passed away in 2019 at the age of 58.

Annie Leake

Annie Leake played Ruby Slater on the show and appeared in the 1985 episode To Hull and Back.

She was known for her roles in Beryl’s Lot, the Bright Side and BBC Sunday-Night Theatre.

She passed away in 2006.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button