An Only Fools and Horses legend nearly turned down an iconic role in the sitcom.
The late John Challis, who played second-hand car salesman "Boycie", wasn’t that keen in taking part in the show after being offered just four lines for the pilot episode.
However, his then partner Debbie Arnold, revealed that she persuaded him to take up the role.
Speaking in Best’s podcast series Suddenly Single, Debbie spoke about her relationship with the flamboyant actor.
The 69-year-old told hosts Tim Vincent and Siobhan Wykes: “I was the person who made John do Only Fools and Horses.
"He did a series called Citizen Smith and he played almost Boycie in that and Johnny Sullivan [the writer] said, ‘I’m going to write that character into something’.
"John got the script and said ‘it’s only four f****ing lines, I can’t do this darling’.
"I said look, how much is it? He said £400. I said do it. He said, ‘all right then’. That was the pilot.”
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John sadly passed away in September 2021, aged 79, after battling cancer.
The character of Boycie became a firm fan favourite in Only Fools and Horses, known for his friendly rivalry with Del and Rodney while enjoying a large cognac at the Nag’s Head.
The sitcom, written by John Sullivan, saw seven series run on BBC One between 1981 and 1991, and 16 Christmas specials aired until the end of the show in 2003.
John was married to Debbie from 1981 to 1985.
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During the podcast, Debbie went on to say how she “just adored” John, and despite it not being love at first sight; she was attracted to his humour.
Debbie is also known for her appearances on screen in Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
She began her career on television, in series such as the BBC comedy The Liver Birds.
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