By Eleanor Davies
With cigar in hand, moustache perfectly trimmed and wearing an immaculate suit, there is only one television character who needs no further introduction than to say his name is Boycie.
For 22 years John Challis played the car dealer friend of Derek Trotter, also known as Del Boy, in the best loved comedy sitcom of all time, Only Fools and Horses.
Along with his long suffering wife Marlene, he earned a solid fan base as a wheeler dealer and the richest person Del knew.
“I think initially the producers didn’t think it would reach people outside of London,” John tells me. “But then we had letters coming from Ireland and so on and it became Universal.
“I think they had the right actors playing the characters as well and the chemistry between us was like a magic fusion. The quality of the writing was fantastic too and they wrote about difficult subjects, such as, impotence, miscarriage and death but still finding a way to make you smile.”
And thanks to their on screen chemistry and loving fan base a spin off, The Green Green Grass, was created by John Sullivan, creator of Only Fools and Horses.
“The spin off all kicked off when I moved to Herefordshire 12 years ago,” says John. “I had a 60th Birthday party and John Sullivan came and said to me ‘I’ve had an idea, but I’m not quite sure how it could work’. Two years later when I was in theatre with Sue Holderness (Marlene) he pitched the idea to us.
“He had the idea because he saw me at my house as a Lord of the Manor type character but he needed a reason why Boycie and Marlene would leave London and that’s when he came up with the idea that he was running from the Driscoll brothers – when he pitched the idea he apologised for taking so long!” laughs John.
And as a result John and Sue have had a working relationship for almost 30 years, although John thinks it’s down to more than them just being good friends.
“We have to get along as no one else will work with us!” jokes the 67 year-old. “We’re just lucky I guess, we’ve been working together for 30 years almost and we’re almost telepathic with our timings and are just compatible.”
And their on-stage magic will carry on next week as they continue with their tour of, An Evening with Boycie and Marlene, bringing the show to The Broadway Theatre, Barking.
“People can expect a very good evening of entertainment,” John says modestly. “There will be some new Boycie and Marlene stuff, sometimes we will be ourselves sometimes we will be in character. We tell the story from where we started through to Only Fools and Horses and The Green Green Grass.
“There’ll be a lot of laughing, information about the series and a question and answer section – as long as they’re not too personal! And afterwards we’ll be hanging around for a chat.”
And despite being a professional actor, John still has reservations about getting up on stage.
“We’re comedy actors not comedians, it’s scary once you come out of character and become yourself. In your character you feel safe but then you have to talk about your life.”
And one thing I was eager to find out, was if there are any Only Fools and Horses specials in the pipe line?
“I really don’t know!” laughs John. “There’s a lot of rumours that as it’s the 30th anniversary next year since the show first aired there might be a one-off special but we’re all old and grey now you don’t want us back!”
I’m sure there will be a fair few people who would disagree with you there John!
Catch John Challis and Sue Holderness in: An Evening with Boycie and Marlene at the Broadway Theatre Barking on Sunday 12 September. For tickets call: 020 8507 5607.