Only Fools and Horses' John Challis' widow Carol makes heartbreaking Christmas discovery at his grave
John Challis' widow Carol has shared a heartbreaking discovery she made at the cemetery where the Only Fools and Horses actor is buried, revealing how the local community remembered him
The widow of 'Only Fools and Horses' legend John Challis, Carol, has shared a poignant moment from her visit to his graveside over the festive period. Touched by the heartfelt decorations festooned on his grave at Leintwardine in Herefordshire, Carol took to social media to reveal how residents paid tribute with a wreath, blooms and even a small Christmas tree adorning his final resting place.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Carol posted: "I've just had a little weep. The people at Wigmore Abbey, Steve, Andrea and Victoria went to see John early this morning and left all this Christmas loveliness for him. Never forgotten, Challis."
Heartened by the gesture, she mused on the unwavering remembrance of her late spouse, the iconic 'Boycie' actor who dwelt in the famed Wigmore Abbey - a setting that shone in the 'Only Fools' spin-off 'The Green Green Grass'. In a touching tweet brimming with nostalgia, Carol recalled lost loved ones, sharing: "Especially over Christmas, my thoughts have been with my much loved and missed mother Libby, father Denis, nephew Simon and my darling husband. All gone. All those memories."
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John Challis, affectionately known by many, departed "peacefully in his sleep" after a defiant struggle with cancer at the age of 79 in September 2021.
The family of the late John Challis, beloved for his role as 'Boycie', released a heartfelt statement: "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," reports the Mirror.
The Express covered the story, noting the family's plans to hold a celebration of John's life in the future, open to all. His health had sharply declined before his passing, with Sir David Jason commenting on This Morning: "It wasn't a complete surprise because poor old John hadn't been well for the last month or two. But he went downhill so fast, very rapidly, that one minute we were thinking he was on the road to recovery and sadly it just took him."
At the time, his family said the actor died "peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer" and encouraged donations to Cuan Wildlife Rescue, Tusk, or the British Hedgehog Preservation Society in his memory. Posthumously, it was revealed that John's will instructed for his estate to go to his fourth wife Carol, whom he married in 1995.
John had previously been married to Carol Robertson, Debbie Arnold, and Sabina Franklyn, but did not have any children.
His headstone bears a subtle tribute to the much-loved sitcom; the inscription reads: "John Challis - actor - 1942-2021, I am here."
A line fans of Only Fools will instantly recognise from the classic episode featuring psychic Elsie Partridge holding a séance with Del Boy, Rodney Trotter, and Boycie in attendance. Elsie channels a spirit calling for someone named Audrey... no, Aubrey.
In the silent room, Boycie speaks out, "I am here," revealing his middle name is Aubrey. "You never said your name was Aubrey," Trigger remarks, to which he retorts: "Nor would you if your name was Aubrey."
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