By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 11:30, Thursday, 04 October 2012

He's regarded as a legend of British TV comedy ... And yesterday Cumbrian fans of the man who played Boycie, the brash, cheeky, yet somehow loveable Cockney second-hand car salesman in Only Fools and Horses, got to meet him in person.

Pauline Graham with John Challis

And yesterday Cumbrian fans of the man who played Boycie, the brash, cheeky, yet somehow loveable Cockney second-hand car salesman in Only Fools and Horses, got to meet him in person.

Actor John Challis, 70, was visiting Waterstone’s Scotch Street, Carlisle, store to promote his newly published autobiography Boycie and Beyond.

The book is a follow-up to his book Being Boycie, which told of John’s life as an actor.

For an hour and a half yesterday, fans queued to meet him and have him autograph his books.

He chatted to the public and spoke affectionately of Boycie, the fast-talking, cigar-smoking Cockney created by Only Fools and Horses writer John Sullivan.

He said: “Boycie is with me the whole time; a bit like my alter ego. Every day somebody will say something about him, usually something nice.

“He’s been with me for most of my [professional] life, and he’s opened a lot of doors for me, though he’s closed a few as well. I feel I’ve been lucky to have been a part of it.”

The book is a brutally honest account of the highs and the lows of his life, including his battle with booze and marriage break-ups.

“It’s not heavy – there’s always humour,” said John, who praised the writing genius of the late John Sullivan. The actor also revealed he plans to write novels.

For a few seconds, John slipped into character, assuming that familiar nasal twang used by Boycie as he quoted from one of his favourite Fools and Horses episodes, in which Del Boy and Rodney arrive at a funeral party dressed as Batman and Robin.

Boycie had told them it was a fancy dress party.

Recalling the moment when the penny dropped, John quoted Del Boy’s comment that Boycie had come as the Penguin! Boycie’s classic retort was: “No, Del Boy, not the Penguin. More like... the Joker.”

John said he had a vague recollection of having been to Carlisle before... perhaps in a former life as Bonnie Prince Charlie, he mused.

As for the fans who spoke to him, they were delighted. They included Pauline Graham, 44, from London Road. She said: “I think he’s absolutely lovely – very polite, and nice. He’s a comedy legend.”

First published at 11:26, Thursday, 04 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk