John Challis

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Other people". Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image John Spurley Challis (16 August 1942 – 17 September 2021) was an English actor. He had an extensive theatre and television career but is best known for portraying Terrance Aubrey "Boycie" Boyce in the long-running BBC Television sitcom Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003) and its sequel/spin-off The Green Green Grass (2005–2009), as well as Monty Staines from the seventh series onwards in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2015–2018). Challis was an established stage actor, making appearances for companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

Early life

John Spurley Challis was born on 16 August 1942 at St Andrews Nursing Home[1] Clifton, Bristol, England.[2] An only child,[2] his family moved to southeast London when he was a year old.[3] He grew up in Epsom, after the family moved to Tadworth in Surrey.[4] Challis attended the state boarding Ottershaw School near Woking, Surrey.[5] His father, Alec, was a civil servant at the Admiralty; his mother, Joan (née Harden), was a drama teacher and keen participant in amateur dramatics.[6]

After leaving school, he worked as a trainee estate agent,[7] before he "ran away with the Argyle Theatre for Youth".[8]

Career

Television and radio

At the outset of his television career, the Script error: No such module "convert". tall Challis was often typecast in authority roles.[9] His first television role was in the BBC soap opera The Newcomers in 1967. Another early television role, also in 1967 was as a thief who stole Ena Sharples' handbag in Coronation Street; he would later have a recurring role in the series as Detective Sergeant Norman Phillips from 1975 to 1977. 1969 he played in the gangster drama Big Breadwinner Hog, and between 1971 and 1975 Challis made regular appearances in Z-Cars as Sergeant Culshaw.[10] In 1971, he played the part of photographer Jim Wright in the highly popular tv soap Crossroads.

The sitcom Bloomers (1979), starring Richard Beckinsale, was written about Challis's experience working at a garden centre while taking a break from acting.[11]

A role in the John Sullivan sitcom Citizen Smith led to Challis being cast as Herman Aubrey "Boycie" Boyce in Only Fools and Horses (1981—2003), which became his best-known role.[12][13] Sullivan also created a spin-off for Challis, The Green Green Grass (2005—2009).[14] The outdoor scenes of The Green Green Grass were filmed at his then-home at Wigmore Abbey, surrounding fields and local villages.[15]

File:John Tandy November 2013 (cropped).jpg
Challis in November 2013, with crew from HMS Talent

His other television appearances include Dixon of Dock Green, Thriller, The Sweeney, Doctor Who (The Seeds of Doom), Dracula, Beau Geste, Juliet Bravo, Bloomers, Ever Decreasing Circles, Doctor Snuggles, Chance in a Million, The Bill, One Foot in the Grave, Open All Hours, The New Statesman, Don't Wait Up, Soldier Soldier, Brass Eye, My Family, In Sickness and in Health, Benidorm, the end of which he felt spelt the end of his television career,[16] and Heartbeat.[17] During his appearance in a 1997 Channel 4 mockumentary Brass Eye television episode "Decline", he was tricked into believing Clive Anderson had been shot by Noel Edmonds.[18][19] In 2006 he took a cameo role in BBC's The Impressionists as the stationmaster at the Gare Saint Lazare.[20] In the 2008 episode "Is Jeremy Quite Safe?" of Last of the Summer Wine he guest-starred as a retired jewel thief with fanciful stories of his past exploits in the South of France.[21] In 2012, he narrated the National Geographic Channel series Strippers: Cars for Cash.[22]

On BBC radio, he played an interrogator in the play Rules of Asylum by James Follett, broadcast by BBC Radio 4 in 1973.[23] He also played Dibden Purlew in Getting Nowhere Fast from 2001 to 2004.[24]

He became an honorary citizen of Serbia, where Only Fools and Horses remains popular. In 2020, Challis made the documentary Boycie in Belgrade, exploring why the show was so beloved in Serbia.[25][26][27]

Theatre

Challis performed many stage roles, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s and the National Theatre.[28] His first performance in London's West End was in Portrait of a Queen in 1965 at the Vaudeville Theatre.[29][30] In 1977 he played a leading role at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond, in Sam Walters' production of Václav Havel's play The Memorandum.[31] In 1979 he toured the US with Tom Stoppard's play Cahoot's Macbeth.[29]

His work at the National Theatre included productions of On the Razzle (1979) and The Rivals (1983), with Michael Hordern, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor with Frank Finlay.[29] In a 1993 tour with the National he starred along with Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Waller, and Christopher Villiers in a production of Entertaining Mr Sloane by Joe Orton. He appeared with Sue Holderness ('Marlene' in Only Fools and Horses) in Ayckbourn's Relatively Speaking, Time and Time Again and How the Other Half Loves, and the National Theatre's own production of Boycie and Marlene.[31]

In 1995, at the height of the success of Only Fools and Horses, as an established Shakespeare actor he returned to the stage to appear in Richard III and A Midsummer Night's Dream at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, and in 2000 he played Malvolio in Twelfth Night, at Stafford Castle and he performed at Ludlow Castle in As You Like It in 2011.[31][32]

He was also featured regularly in pantomime productions in which he usually played the roguish or wicked roles, such as for example, Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the Plaza Theatre, Stockport, a role he reprised in 2018 at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham. He also appeared in pantomime at Weston Playhouse in winter 2011–12 playing Ebenezer in Aladdin and as King Rat in Dick Whittington at the Plaza over Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014. [31] [33] In 2013, Challis occasionally contributed to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Live Tour as the narrator.[34] In 2014, he began a theatre tour of his one-man show titled Only Fools and Boycie, which charted his life before, during and after his time as Boycie.[35]

Personal life

File:John Challis (cropped).jpg
Challis in 2007

Challis was married four times. His first wife, Jean Robertson (1934–2023), was a stage manager and actress.[36] His second and third wives were actresses Debbie Arnold and Sabina Franklyn.[36] He married his fourth wife, Carol Davies, in Brighton in 1995. In 1998, they bought the Abbot's Lodgings at Wigmore Abbey Grange, Adforton, Herefordshire, which they proceeded to renovate.[36][37][38] He had no children.[37]

Challis was a patron of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.[39] He was an avid Arsenal supporter[40] and the club paid tribute to him following his death.[41]Template:Better source Challis wrote two volumes of autobiography, Being Boycie and Boycie & Beyond.[6] In 2016, he wrote Wigmore Abbey: The Treasure of Mortimer about the renovation of his house's gardens.[42][15]

Challis additionally was a patron and avid supporter of "The Rose Theatre" in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. The organisation also paid special tribute to Challis after his death.[43]

Through Twitter, Challis became friends with American actor and musician Ice-T, with the pair exchanging gifts although never meeting in person.[44]

Death

Challis died of cancer in his sleep on 17 September 2021, aged 79. His death was reported two days later.[2][9][45][46][36] He had been diagnosed with the disease in 2019.[47]

Tributes were paid by a number of fellow actors and entertainers including his Only Fools and Horses co-stars Sir David Jason and Sue Holderness, as well as Ice-T, Paul Chuckle, Piers Morgan and Sheila Ferguson.[48][49]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1964 Where Has Poor Mickey Gone? Tim [50]
1971 Say Hello to Yesterday Salesman Uncredited [51][52]
1981 Burning an Illusion Man in Car [50]
1985 Defence of the Realm Challis [50]
1989 Spotters General cast [50]
1998 The Tichborne Claimant Rous the Landlord [53]
2000 Five Seconds to Spare Shopping Centre Manager [54]
2001 Dream Toby [55]
Subterrain [56][57][58]
2015 Tea for Two Jim Short film
2020 Boycie in Belgrade Himself Documentary film [59]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1967 The Newcomers Harry Kapper 5 episodes [2]
1967-1977 Coronation Street George Naylor/DC Norman Phillips 10 episodes [60]
1967-1975 Z-Cars Detective Constable Armitage/Sgt. Culshaw 14 episodes [50]
1968 City '68 Hospital Doctor Episode: "The Old Country" [50]
Virgin of the Secret Service Captain Kirby Episode: "The Rajah and the Suffragette" [61]
Mr. Rose Detective Constable Jackson Episode: "The Frozen Swede" [50]
Softly, Softly DC Rankin 2 episodes [62]
1969 Big Breadwinner Hog First Operative Episode: "Self-Discipline Is Its Own Reward" [50]
Who-Dun-It Rev. Lindsay Whittaker Episode: "An Embarrassment of Murder" [63]
Dixon of Dock Green Ray Episode: "Obsession" [29][64]
Canterbury Tales Farmhand Episode: "The Shipman's Tale" [65]
Strange Report Soldier Episode: "Report 7931: Sniper – When Is Your Cousin Not?" [66]
1971 Brett Riordan Episode: "All the King's Horses..." [67]
Crossroads Jim Wright 9 episodes [68]
1972 ITV Sunday Night Theatre Factory Guard Episode: "The Last Journey" [69]
1974 Who Killed Lamb? Casson TV film [50]
Dracula Stockton-on-Tees Clerk [70]
Crown Court Detective Inspector Stoddard Episode: "The Messenger Boy" [50]
1975 Drive Carefully, Darling 'Ego' Instructional film [50]
Nightingale's Boys Pete Episode: "Decision" [50]
The Sweeney Skef Warren Episode: "Stay Lucky Eh?" [50]
The Legend of Robin Hood Castle Guard Episode: "Part 5" [50]
1976 Doctor Who Scorby Serial: The Seeds of Doom [50]
Open All Hours Bread Man Episode: "Well Catered Funeral" [71]
Thriller Peter Episode: "Sleepwalker" [50]
The Cedar Tree Leonard Barnet Episodes: "Mice at Play Part 1" and "Mice at Play Part 2" [50]
The New Avengers Soldier (unbilled) Episode: "Dirtier by the Dozen" [72]
1979 Doctor Snuggles Various Voice; All 13 episodes [50]
Bloomers Policeman Episode: #1.3 [50]
1980 Citizen Smith Chief Inspector Humphreys Episode: "The Letter of the Law" [50]
1980-1981 Play for Today Victor Mintell/Harry/Voice Role 3 episodes [50]
1981 Sink or Swim Man at Door Episode: "Ecology"
1981–2003 Only Fools and Horses Aubrey "Boycie" Boyce 33 of 64 episodes [73]
1982 Beau Geste Corporal Dupré 4 episodes (part 4–7) [50]
1985 Late Starter Policeman Episode: #1.5 [51]
Storyboard Billy Cato Episode: "King & Castle" [50]
In Sickness and in Health Policeman Episode: #1.1 [74]
Juliet Bravo Taylor Episode: "Hostage to Fortune" [50]
Howards' Way Morris 2 episodes [50]
1986 Chance in a Million Policeman Episode: "And What Shall We Do for a Ring?" [75]
Strike It Rich! Big John Episode: "Suspicions" [76]
Roland Rat: The Series Policeman Episode: #1.6 [77]
Lenny Henry Tonite Various Episode: "Gronk Zillman" [50]
1987 C.A.T.S. Eyes Stark Episode: "A Naval Affair" [50]
Ratman Police Chief 2 episodes [78]
Alas Smith and Jones Mexican Hotel Receptionist Episode: #4.4 [79]
Ever Decreasing Circles Maintenance Man Episode: "Half an Office" [80]
1988 40 Minutes General cast Episode: "Scarfe's Follies" [50]
Wish Me Luck Victor Travussini 5 episodes [50]
Don't Wait Up Man in Jewellery Shop Episode: #5.2 [81]
The Bill Ian Gore Episode: "Runaround" [82]
Casualty Harry Episode: "Living Memories" [83]
1992 Sitting Pretty Boris Voice; Episode: "Anniversary Waltz" [84]
The New Statesman General Giray Episode: "A Bigger Splash" [84]
One Foot in the Grave Jack the Burglar (voice) Episode: "Beware the Trickster on the Roof" [85]
Sitting Pretty The Trainer Voice; Episode: "Happy Birthdays" [84]
1993 Then Churchill Said to Me Major Harry Bouchet Episode: "Nanny by Searchlight" Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
1996 Soldier Soldier Police Superintendent Episode: "Delayed Action" [86]
1997 Wing and a Prayer DS Doughty Episode: "The Ties That Bind" [51]
Brass Eye Himself Episode: “Decline” [87]
1998 Heartbeat Stan Fraser Episode: "Where There's a Will" [88]
2005–2009 The Green Green Grass Aubrey "Boycie" Boyce All 32 episodes [50]
2006 The Impressionists Station Master Episode: #1.2 [89]
2007 My Family Jacob Marley Episode: "Ho Ho No" [90]
2008 Last of the Summer Wine Jeremy Episode: "Is Jeremy Quite Safe?" [29]
2015–2018 Benidorm Monty Staines 15 episodes [50]
2015 Doctors Freddy Prenton Episode: "Vapour Trail" [91]
2016 Are You Being Served? Captain Peacock TV film [71]
2018 Sooty Henry Witham-Smythe Episode: "Just Desserts" [92][93]
2020 Državni posao Aubrey "Boycie" Boyce Episode: "Dostavno vozilo" [94]

Books

References

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  1. ↑ Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald 22 August 1942, Sat · Page 11
  2. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Being Boycie (2011) – p 9
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  62. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  63. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  65. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  66. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  67. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  70. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  71. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  72. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  73. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  74. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  75. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  76. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  77. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  78. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  79. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  80. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  81. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  82. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  83. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  84. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  85. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  86. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  87. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  88. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  89. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  90. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  91. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  92. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  93. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  94. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  95. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  96. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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