Only Fools and Horses

‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’

ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES star John Challis opened up about the lost episode of the iconic BBC comedy series due to the death of writer John Sullivan.

Only Fools and Horses was one of the BBC’s most iconic and well-loved series, airing from 1981 to 2003, and left fans with years of memories. Del Boy (played by David Jason), Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield) became fan favourites over the years and left viewers devastated when the series came to an end. Before his death in September 2021, John Challis revealed what was meant to happen in the lost episode after writer John Sullivan died before he had finished writing the instalment.

Del Boy was going to celebrate his retirement and toast to his fortune for the 30th anniversary of the hit BBC sitcom.

However, writer Sullivan died before he could complete the script, with the episode becoming lost over the years.

Challis played Del Boy’s arch-enemy Boycie in the sitcom and revealed the existence of what was meant to happen in the final episode before he died.

He told The Sun: “The 30th anniversary was coming up, and John was in the process of getting together a Christmas special or something.

‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’
‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’ (Image: BBC)
‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’
‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’ (Image: BBC)

“It was going to be Del Boy’s 65th birthday, he was going to retire, and there was going to be a bit of a get-together in the Nag’s Head. But unfortunately, he (John) got ill and didn’t come out of it.

“It was a complete shock to everybody. We got a phone call from the producers giving us the bad news.”

Del Boy and Rodney became millionaires after a pocket watch they found fetched £6.2 million at auction, which left the whole nation shocked.

Sullivan died in April 2011, aged 64, after battling viral pneumonia.

‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’

‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’ (Image: GETTY)

‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’

‘A complete shock’ Only Fools and Horses special scrapped after cast receive ‘bad news’ (Image: BBC)

Last year Challis, who played iconic character Boycie, died at the age of 79 and received a flurry of praise and dedications from fellow co-stars.

He died peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with cancer, with a statement from his family being released to the world.

“It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news, our dear friend and yours, John Challis, has died peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer.

“He will always be loved for being Boycie and leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come.”

Speaking on his friend’s death, Sir David Jason wrote: “It is with much sadness to hear that John Challis, a dear friend, has passed away.

“He was a wonderful actor, a Gentleman in the true sense of the word, and I know he will be missed by so many.

“We had known each other for well over 40 years when he appeared in the second episode of Only Fools and Horses as Boycie.”

Over the years, there have been many dramatic behind-the-scenes moments that caused chaos off-screen, including disasters with props and fears over a possible riot.

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