Only Fools and Horses’ Sue Holderness makes heartbreaking confession about late co-star John Challis

ONLY Fools And Horses star Sue Holderness has opened up about the impact of the death of her co-star and former on-screen husband John Challis.

The 74-year-old has expressed just how much she misses her late co-star and revealed that she ‘still hears’ his voice years later.

Actress Sue, who starred as Boycie’s wife Marlene in Only Fools and Horses, called her co-star a legend, affirming that he will ‘be with us forever’ on TV.

In 2021, at the age of 79, actor John, who portrayed Boycie in the beloved hit TV series, passed away after being diagnosed with cancer. 

Sue has now disclosed to the just how close they were, admitting she doesn’t feel as if he has gone.

Sue said: “John and I really were very good friends.

“It was a very fortuitous thing that we got together. I’m still in touch every week with John’s wife, Carol.

“I still miss John terribly, I still don’t feel he’s gone – I still hear his voice.

“And I don’t suppose he ever really will be gone. He will be with us forever, on our televisions every night.”

John was on the series as Boycie for decades, from 1981 to 2003.

From 2005 to 2009, he played the same character in a spin-off titled The Green Green Grass.

After his death, his Only Fools and Horses former castmate David Jason, who played Del Boy, revealed he believed John was recovering but quickly discovered he had deteriorated unexpectedly.

During a sit down with ITV’s This Morning shortly after John passed away, the star told hosts his friend’s death “wasn’t a complete surprise” due to his continuous poor health. 

David added: “But it seemed he went downhill so fast, very rapidly.”

“One minute, we were thinking he was on the road to recovery, and then it took him quite swiftly.”

A few months ago, John’s family sadly reported his nephew Simon had also tragically passed.