1. Patrick Murray (Mickey Pearce) THEN
image source: onlyfoolsandhorses.fandom.com
Mickey Pearce was one of Del Boy’s very memorable mates on the show – because it pays to have mates in the wheeling and dealing business! Mickey was known for being a dealer of black market goods that he thought might be of interest, and appeared in 20 episodes of the show.
2. Patrick Murray NOW
image source: skynews.com
Mickey’s actor, Patrick Murray, sadly announced that he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, but fortunately treatment worked and he was able to recover. Patrick retired from acting to become a cab driver, and concentrated on getting his wife a VISA so he could live with his family. Sadly, this year he has announced the cancer has returned.
3. Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel) THEN
image source: imdb.com
Raquel – a name we can even now hear Del Boy saying in his unique way – was the main love interest of his on the show, and she was played by actress Tessa Peake-Jones from 1988 until 2003. The character was actually conceived because the show wanted Del Boy to have a long term relationship with a woman more his age!
4. Tessa Peake-Jones NOW
image source: saga.com
Actress Tessa Peake-Jones, now 66 years old, has two children and appears to be single after separating from her long-term partner, actor Douglas Hodge – who actually starred on Only Fools as her character’s son! She appeared in other shows like The Bill and Doctor Who.
5. Sue Holderness (Marlene) THEN
image source: onlyfoolsandhorses.fandom.com
Marlene was the wife of Boycie, and for that reason had a lot of the viewer’s sympathy! Initially, Marlene was a character never seen and only mentioned, until they cast Sue Holderness to play her. Part of the plot was the hint that Marlene and Del Boy might have had an affair.
6. Sue Holderness NOW
image source: walesonline.co.uk
Sue Holderness went on to play other TV roles, including EastEnders, Casualty and Still Open All Hours. She’s married to Mark Piper, and has been since 1989, with the pair sharing two children, and one grandchild. Now 74 years old, she’s also a supporter of Thames Hospice.
7. Buster Merryfield (Uncle Albert) THEN
image source: onlyfoolsandhorses.fandom.com
Uncle Albert was a character written to replace the role of Grandad, introducing Buster Merryfield to our screens in the memorable role alongside Del Boy and Rodney. He was the brother of Grandad Trotter, and the character remained on screen until the actor’s tragic death.
8. Buster Merryfield NOW
image source: mylondon.com
Before Buster Merryfield passed away in 1999 due to a brain tumour, he enjoyed family life with his wife, Iris, his daughter and his two grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing the piano and music, as well as starring in other acting roles – but Only Fools and Horses remains his legacy.
9. Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra) THEN
image source: mylondon.com
Cassandra was Rodney’s arguably better half, though the character started off as his love interest before eventually becoming his wife. Her character was written into the show because the scriptwriter wanted more female characters on screen to balance out the number of men!
10. Gwyneth Strong NOW
image source: dailystar.co.uk
Actress Gwyneth Strong is married with two children, and she’s now even a grandmother. Her husband is Jesse Birdsall, who starred in Footballer’s Wives, and the family lives in Sussex. She’s appeared in the West End and has had various TV roles, including ones that have reunited her with some of her Only Fools and Horses castmates.
11. Roger Lloyd-Pack (Trigger) THEN
image source: themirror.co.uk
Trigger, who was really named the less memorable Colin Ball, was another iconic character on the show, and one of his most defining traits was being a little bit stupid. A long running gag was that he believed Rodney was really called Dave, and he was known to deal in petty criminal activity.
12. Roger Lloyd-Pack NOW
image source: digitalspy.com
Roger Lloyd-Pack was best known for his memorable TV roles in both Only Fools and Horses, and the Vicar of Dibley where he played the farmer Owen Newitt. He also appeared in Harry Potter as Barty Crouch. Sadly, the actor passed away at the age of 69 in 2014 due to pancreatic cancer.
13. John Challis (Boycie) THEN
image source: only-fools-and-horses01,fandom.com
Boycie was the very wealthy and cheeky chappy at the local pub, who would often take the mick out of Rodney and Del Boy and everything they got up to. The character of Boycie was so popular with fans that it resulted in the spin-off show based on the character, The Green Green Grass.
14. John Challis NOW
image source: skynews.com
John Challis went on to have more acting roles, including the spin-off sitcom and then Monty in ITV’s Benidorm for four seasons. He also made a documentary about Only Fools and Horses. Sadly, John passed away at the age of 79 in September 2021, due to cancer.
15. Lennard Pearce (Grandad) THEN
image source: x.com
Grandad Trotter was another loveable character from the show, most notable for sitting in his armchair and delivering some of the best comedy moments. Grandad was a character in the first three seasons of the show, right up until the death of his actor, Lennard Pearce.
16. Lennard Pearce NOW
image source: youtube.com
Lennard Pearce tragically fell ill at the time he was set to return for the fourth season of the show, and had even begun learning the script. He was taken to hospital back in 1984, and suffered a heart attack. He passed away a few days later, at the age of 69.
17. Nicolas Lyndhurst (Rodney) THEN
image source: mylondon.com
Rodney Trotter was the unlucky younger brother of Del Boy, and constantly exhausted by his big bro’s escapades. There definitely wouldn’t be a Rodney without Del Boy, and vice versa, making these two one of the most iconic double acts on British TV.
18. Nicolas Lyndhurst NOW
image source: reddit.com
Most recently, Nicolas has taken on a role in the reboot of the classic American show, Frasier. For a while, he took a step back from acting roles, and mainly due to the tragic passing of his son. He’s been married since 1999, and also best known for his lead role in Goodnight Sweetheart.
19. Sir David Jason (Del Boy) THEN
image source: walesonline.co.uk
The star of the show, Del Boy, was played by the legendary TV actor David Jason, in one of his best roles. Del Boy was the wheeler dealer beloved by all viewers, and was a permanent character right from the beginning of the show right up to the comeback series in 2014.
20. Sir David Jason NOW
image source: dailyrecord.co.uk
Sir David Jason has had an amazing career – and also a knighthood – and these days, at 83 years old, he doesn’t seem to have ever slowed down! A family man with wife and kids, David Jason went on to have other lead TV roles like A Touch of Frost, as well as bagging a number of awards.
