John Challis

John Challis was a towering presence in British entertainment; an actor whose range and charisma made him one of television’s most recognisable faces. Though forever associated with his creation of the scheming yet oddly endearing car dealer Herman Aubrey “Boycie” Boyce in Only Fools and Horses, Challis’s talents reached far beyond Peckham, encompassing Shakespearean drama, modern theatre, radio, and a wealth of television work that spanned more than half a century.

With his languid drawl, razor-edged sarcasm and unmistakable laugh, Challis turned Boycie from a supporting player into a comic icon — a man whose swagger masked insecurity, whose pomposity was always tinged with humanity. Alongside Sue Holderness as Marlene, he formed one of sitcom’s most enduring double acts, their barbed exchanges revealing both irritation and affection. The pair’s rapport translated into a lasting friendship off-screen, a testament to the warmth at the heart of his craft.

Born on 16 August 1942 at Clifton, Bristol, John Spurley Challis was the only child of Alec, a civil servant, and Joan (née Harden), a drama teacher and enthusiastic amateur performer. After the family settled in Tadworth, Surrey, he attended Ottershaw School near Woking. Leaving without A-levels, he briefly worked as a trainee estate agent before, in his own words, “running away with the Argyle Theatre for Youth” — the first step in a career that would blend grit, good humour and a lifelong devotion to the stage.

Challis began in repertory theatre in 1963, where he learnt his trade as both performer and stage manager. His film debut, Where Has Poor Mickey Gone? (1964), disappeared without trace, but a year later he made his West End debut in Portrait of a Queen followed by a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, appearing in productions alongside David Warner and Ian Holm. He went on to forge a fruitful collaboration with Tom Stoppard, touring in Dirty Linen, Cahoot’s Macbeth and On the Razzle, and later graced the National Theatre in The Rivals and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. A versatile performer, he excelled in farce and panto alike, earning acclaim as King Rat, Captain Hook and Abanazar — all played with the relish of a born entertainer.

His television career began in earnest in the 1960s, with his debut coming in The Newcomers then followed by Coronation Street, before becoming a familiar figure in crime dramas such as Z Cars, The Sweeney and Doctor Who: The Seeds of Doom, where he memorably faced off against Tom Baker’s Doctor. His gift for playing both authority and menace ensured steady work, though he was equally at home in comedy, guesting in Citizen Smith, Open All Hours and Ever Decreasing Circles.

It was Citizen Smith that brought him to the attention of writer John Sullivan, who later cast him as Boycie in Only Fools and Horses. Over the show’s two-decade run, Challis’s portrayal evolved from caricature to character, his timing and subtlety giving Boycie surprising emotional depth. When Only Fools and Horses finally ended, Sullivan created The Green Green Grass (2005–09), a spin-off centred on Boycie and Marlene’s rural misadventures — filmed in part at Challis’s own Herefordshire home.

In later years, he enjoyed renewed visibility as Monty Staines in Benidorm and as Captain Peacock in the BBC’s Are You Being Served? revival. Off screen, his wit and warmth made him a favourite at fan events and in his one-man shows, where he shared anecdotes from a life in performance. His documentary Boycie in Belgrade (2020) explored the remarkable Serbian devotion to Only Fools and Horses, earning him honorary citizenship and heartfelt affection abroad.

Beyond his career, Challis led a life steeped in humour, generosity and curiosity. He was a passionate Arsenal supporter, a patron of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, and a great champion of regional theatre, notably the Rose Theatre in Kidderminster. A natural raconteur, he embraced social media with good grace, winning over a new generation of fans and even striking up a charming friendship with the American rapper Ice-T.

His personal life was marked by resilience and contentment. After three earlier marriages, he found lasting happiness with his fourth wife, Carol Davies, a costumier and wardrobe mistress, whom he married in 1995. Together they restored their beloved Wigmore Abbey in Herefordshire, the subject of his book Wigmore Abbey: The Treasure of Mortimer (2016). He also published two volumes of memoirs — Being Boycie and Boycie & Beyond — which captured his humour and humanity in equal measure.

Right up until ill health curtailed his plans, Challis continued to tour his one-man shows, delighting audiences with his sharp wit and gift for mimicry. His passing, on17 September 2021, at the age of 79 years, left a gap in the landscape of British comedy, yet his legacy endures — in every sardonic laugh, every rolled “Marlene!”, and every moment of warmth he brought to the screen.

John Challis was more than Boycie; he was a consummate actor, a born storyteller and a true gentleman of his profession.