John Challis, the British actor who starred in the long-running BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, died following a battle with cancer on Sunday. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Ice-T shared a tribute to the actor, noting that the two became unlikely friends on Twitter. Challis, who had been planning a speaking trip until his declining health forced him to cancel it, was now 79.
“I just heard John passed away… He somehow became a Twitter friend. I’m very sad. Although I never met him in person. Internet friends can become close… RIP,” Ice-T tweeted. He included a video Challis tweeted to him on March 6, in which Challis played air guitar to Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.” “You haven’t got any ABBA to have you?” Challis asked Ice T about the video.
John has passed away, I just heard. He somehow became a Twitter friend. I’m very sad. Although I never met him in person. Internet friends can become close. RIP https://t.co/OubOefVLfr
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) September 19, 2021
On Sunday, Challis’ family told the BBC he died “peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer.” BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore also called Challis a “wonderful actor who will forever be remembered for playing Boycie in Only Fools and Horses – a character so well-loved by millions.” His family added that there would be “an occasion to celebrate John’s life” in the future.
Challis was born and raised in Bristol, England. He began his television career in the late 1960s. In 1981, he earned his career-defining role as Herman Terrance Aubrey “Boycie” Boyce in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. From 1981 to 2003, the show aired seven series. Boycie was such a popular character that writer John Sullivan created a spin-off for Challis, The Green Green Grass, which aired from 2005 to 2009. Challis played the character at various fan conventions. In January, he played Boycie in a clip encouraging people to wear face coverings during the coronavirus pandemic. Challis was planning to travel to the U.K. in April for a speaking tour. But it was canceled after one performance.
Many of Challis’ co-stars posted tributes to him on social media after his death. “I am heartbroken to hear the news that the legendary actor [Challis] has sadly passed away,” Chrissy Rock, who starred in Benidorm with Challis, tweeted Sunday. “John, you were a true gentleman and always so loving and supportive towards me. I am thinking of your family and close friends at this hard time. Rest well.”