Only Fools and Horses star's widow makes devastating admission about late husband

Sue Holderness tells Loose Women John Challis was her 'best friend'

John Challis, who gained fame for his delightfully wicked portrayal of Boycie in the iconic British sitcom Only Fools and Horses, tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2021. Despite his passing, the warmth of his memory lingers on. His widow, Carol Challis, recently shared a poignant story on X that reflects this enduring legacy.

Carol was aboard a cruise enjoying the company of her late husband’s co-star, the talented Sue Holderness. Sue is cherished for her role as Marlene, the lovable and indomitable wife of Boycie.

As the two women savoured the beauty of the moment, eager fans approached them. These enthusiastic members of the public were eager to reminisce about the beloved comedy series that has left a lasting impression on countless viewers, reminding them of the joy and laughter it brought into their lives over the years.

Carol typed: "A couple were waiting for the lifts were deliberating if Sue was Marlene or not, so I said, ‘Yes, it is indeed she’, whereupon they said, ‘We had a lovely cruise once on Arcadia with her other half Boycie’, so I said, ‘That’s my other half’, and they were quite overcome."

In response, fans of the show shared their support for Carol as they took to the comment section. One typed: "Isn't it lovely when you have a chance to talk about them again?"

John Challis died back in 2021 (Image: Getty)

A second replied: "That's lovely Carol."

While a third typed: "That just made me sad, but how lovely to meet them to keep the connection going."

The couple spent 26 years together in their home at Wigmore Abbey, which is located near Ludlow on the southern border of Shropshire. This beautiful and tranquil area held a special place in their hearts, and they often reminisced about their fond memories there, reflecting on the deep appreciation they had for the local landscape and community.

Earlier this year, Carol expressed her profound sorrow at the prospect of leaving their beloved house, a place filled with years of shared experiences and joy.

John was best known for playing Boycie in Only Fools and Horses (Image: GETTY)

She typed: "The time has come. Farewell old house, our home for the past 26 years. I’m leaving today for a different life down in Somerset, and it’s all a bit overwhelming."

The country mansion went on sale for £1.5 million in April 2023 and comes with a complete host of impressive Grade 1 listed features.

These include seven bedrooms, a library, stables, paddocks, extensive outbuildings and more than five acres of land.

Their house – situated in Herefordshire – was bought by John back in 1998 and was used for the set of the popular spin off show The Green, Green Grass, which followed Boycie’s move from London to the countryside.

John previously said about buying the spectacular home: “We knew already that it was far too much to take on, too far from London, too old, too dilapidated, but somehow, it seemed we were being pulled towards it by an unknown force.

"We drove straight to Hereford, found the agents and made an appointment.

"The next morning, we turned up at the house, this time driving down the gloomy drive with an entirely new sense of adventure as if we'd set out on a journey into the unknown."