Patrick Murray, who played Mickey Pearce in Only Fools and Horses, dies aged 68

"Murray played Mickey Pearce, the dim-witted friend to Sir David Jason's Del Boy and Nicholas Lyndhurst's Rodney Trotter across 20 episodes between 1983 and 2003 of the BBC comedy series. A BBC spokesperson said: "We are very sad to hear of the passing of Patrick Murray, much loved for his role as Mickey in Only Fools And Horses, our thoughts are with his friends and family.""

"Murray revealed he was diagnosed with cancer in July 2021 and had an operation to remove a lung tumour in its early stages, followed by chemotherapy, in January 2022. Subsequent scans found another tumour in his liver that was unconnected to his lung cancer and also treatable. In a health update in May 2022, Murray said his oncologist told him his "lung cancer was cured and that the tumour in my liver was shrinking", however by April 2023 he revealed his lung cancer had returned."

Patrick Murray played Mickey Pearce, the dim-witted friend to Del Boy and Rodney across 20 episodes of Only Fools And Horses between 1983 and 2003. A BBC spokesperson expressed sadness at his passing and sent thoughts to his friends and family. Only Fools And Horses follows brothers and market traders Del Boy and Rodney as they buy and sell goods hoping to become rich. Co-star Sue Holderness paid tribute on X, writing "R.I.P. darling Patrick. Much love. You will be greatly missed." Murray was diagnosed with cancer in July 2021, underwent lung tumour surgery and chemotherapy in January 2022, had a separate liver tumour that was treatable, and revealed by April 2023 that his lung cancer had returned. His other credits included the films Quadrophenia and Scum and television work on The Upper Hand, The Bill, ITV Playhouse and Bergerac.

Read at Irish Independent