He's one of the most recognisable faces in British comedy, a man whose distinctive laugh and iconic role as the smarmy used-car dealer Boycie in Only Fools and Horses have cemented his place in television history. John Challis is on tour with his one-man show, and a stop at Kenilworth's Priory Theatre in Warwickshire provided the perfect opportunity to chat with the legendary actor.
He sat down with Greer Riddell from the University of Warwick's student radio station, RaW 1251AM, to discuss his career, the enduring legacy of Only Fools and Horses, and the personal stories behind his famous characters. Challis, accompanied by his wife Carol, was refreshingly candid, offering a glimpse into the man behind the persona.
“It is extraordinary, it is a phenomenon really from that point of view that all generations latch onto it… it's hardly surprising people of my generation loved it you know all through the eighties but very young people like yourself are sort of picking up on it and it goes from generation to generation”
An Evening With John Challis
The tour, titled "An Evening with John Challis", is more than just a trip down memory lane. Challis describes it as an evening of entertainment, where he shares stories from his early life and his journey to becoming an actor. "So many people ask me how I got there," he says, reflecting on the path that led him to a career in acting. "Looking back, I think I always was [an actor], from the age of six or something, I was always copying people."
The show delves into his time on Only Fools and Horses and its spin-off, The Green Green Grass, which was inspired by his own move from London to Shropshire and partly filmed at his own home. He shares personal anecdotes and adventures from his career, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. After the show, fans have the chance to meet him, take photos, and even get a personal dedication on his autobiography, Being Boycie, or his novel, Reggie: A Stag at Bay. As an added bonus, he's even giving away free bookmarks. "Very nice, very generous publishing company," he jokes.
“It’s also had the appeal right across the social spectrum as well which which is absolutely strong and I think it is unique from that point of view”
Only Fools and Horses Is A British Institution
Challis is well aware of Only Fools and Horses’ incredible longevity and widespread appeal. He finds it "extraordinary" that a show from the 1980s, which never seems to be off the air, continues to captivate new generations, even people who, like Riddell, weren't even born when it first aired. He notes that the show's popularity crosses all social boundaries, a feat he believes is unique.
When asked what makes the show so timeless, Challis credits a "magic combination" of factors. First and foremost, he highlights the "fantastic writing" of John Sullivan, the sole writer of the series. He describes Sullivan as a great family man who wrote with "such depth" and "heart." Sullivan was a perfectionist who would not release a script until every single word was perfect. Challis recalls how Sullivan would wander around his house, saying the lines out loud as the characters to ensure the rhythms and dialogue were just right. This dedication meant there was little to no room for improvisation. "You never had to change a thing," Challis says, adding that the actors would never dare to suggest a different line.
“It's just a combination really of the right actors at the right parts and fantastic writing John Sullivan who was the only man ever to write it. He started off writing most of the Green Green Grass as well and he just wrote with such depth to my mind…with such a heart. He was a great family man you know and it wasn't just the string of jokes although his jokes are very good, they had a wonderful eye for them in the situations.”
“He was at an utter perfectionist, I mean he wouldn't release the script unless he was absolutely certain every single word was right. I never heard anybody in all those years say “John wouldn't it be better if I said mm-hmm” - do you know it was like the Bible almost… it was like that. The reason for that was, I found out later, was that he would drive his wife mad at home because he would be saying all the lines over to himself as the characters do, so he got every word absolutely right and the rhythms are sort of perfect.”
Boycie Is Just The Beginning
While Challis is most famous for his role as Boycie, he has had a long and varied career. He's appeared in Doctor Who, Coronation Street, and performances for the Royal Shakespeare Company. He also had a memorable role in an episode of Open All Hours, where he first met his future co-star, David Jason. He notes that the cast of Open All Hours recently filmed a new series, a tribute to the show's enduring appeal.
He keeps in touch with many of his former castmates, particularly Sue Holderness, who played his wife, Marlene. He mentions they've been "Chums ever since" and have even done pantomimes and charity appearances together. He reflects on the sad passing of Roger Lloyd-Pack (Trigger), which brought the remaining cast members together. Challis says that while he knows Only Fools and Horses will be the most famous thing any of them will ever do, he is incredibly proud of the show and its legacy.
“Sue and I have been chums ever since she got into the series. She would say of course that was when the series really started. We've done little theatre shows together and charity appearances and indeed a Panto as well together. Unfortunately Sue didn't enjoy that very much because she had to play The Good Fairy, I think she hates being good, it’s much better being horrible since then she's played the Wicked Queen!”
“I think we all lead very separate lives you know but obviously recently Roger Lloyd Pack who played Trigger that's passed on you know. It was a terrible shock for all of us so we were all in touch on that day and we all went to the memorial service. We’ve lost 4 members of the original cast and it's always a bit of a shame. It makes me feel a bit shaky but very touched about things like that.”
When asked about his favorite Boycie moment, he recalls a line from the fan-favorite episode, "The Jolly Boys' Outing." He particularly loves the moment when someone mentions a drunk Harry and Boycie says, "Put him on the back seat? He's the driver."
“I had to say was a classic line when, I think somebody got terribly drunk at the halfway house and somebody said “oh no he's completely drunk put them on the back”… [and I had to say] “put him on the back seat he's the Driver!We had a really fun time doing that one because it really was like a holiday for the rest of us and we spent a lot of time in the fairground and running up and down the beach like children so yes I've got great memories of that.”
The classic Boycie laugh, a staple of the show, is a lot harder to do on demand than it looks, Challis admits. He explains that it usually follows one of Boycie's terrible jokes. He also reveals a few behind-the-scenes moments, including the chaotic scenes with the dog, Duke, who was played by a live Great Dane. He recalls a scene at a pub where the dog was more interested in eating the food on the buffet table than in following his cues. Challis spent the entire take trying to hold the dog back. Duke also had a fascination with the furry microphone covers, a small detail that added to the on-set fun.
Beyond the show, Challis has shared his life story in two books, his autobiography Being Boycie and the novel Reggie: A Stag at Bay. He explains that while the books have threads of his character Boycie, they are not a direct Boycie story. Reggie was born out of the many stories and people he encountered after the end of The Green Green Grass. The character of Reggie, he says, is an amalgamation of people - a bit of Boycie, a bit of Challis himself, and a bit of another character he knew. All of them, he notes, are "a bit of a fish out of water" who get into scrapes but manage to get out of them through sheer luck and charm.
“I think it sort of opens as many doors as it closes really but I mean all of us know that it's the most famous thing we'll ever do and you just have to get used to that I mean we did an awful lot of fascinating work, the National Theatre and the Fringe and also on television of course but nobody really wants to listen to all your adventures at the Royal Shakespeare Company you know, they'd much rather talk about Only Fools and Horses but it's something we were all terribly proud of and you can't have it both ways. One of the one of the reasons for coming into this profession is that so would be great to be a to be a household name and then you become a household name through this and it means so much to people you can't say they say no I'm not doing that yeah just because it sort of lives up and always will."
As the interview draws to a close, it's clear that John Challis views his time on Only Fools and Horses not as a burden but as a source of immense pride. He's an actor who has successfully navigated a long and varied career, yet he's always ready to embrace the character that made him a household name. He acknowledges that the show's magic, a blend of brilliant writing and perfect casting, created something truly special - a phenomenon that continues to connect with new audiences decades later. John Challis, whether on stage, in his books, or on Twitter, ensures that the spirit of Boycie is never far away. He's a man who understands that some stories are so good, they deserve to be told over and over again.
