As classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses hits its 30th anniversary this month, one of its best known stars, John Challis, reflects on the success of the show with Being Boycie, his ‘warts-and-all’ autobiography.
Published on 29th September, Being Boycie is the story of an actor who has worked with everyone from the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, to touring Tom Stoppard’s plays in America and appearing in Z-Cars, Coronation Street and Doctor Who.
> Buy the Only Fools And Horses complete collection boxset on Amazon.
We caught up with John to find out what he likes to watch to relax between filming…
Favourite TV show to cheer you up:
“Match of the Day (but only if Arsenal have won) and Cricket on Five when England are winning.”
TV show that reminds you of your childhood:
“Dad’s Army, because it shows an England that I remember as a boy, before it all went wrong!”
Favourite “guilty pleasure” TV show:
“Match of the Day and Cricket on Five! I shouldn’t be so addicted, but it makes me proud if our teams are doing well.”
TV show that you find most addictive:
“CSI on Channel 5. A brilliant American franchise – Las Vegas because I love Marg Helgenberger, Miami for all the impossibly glamorous people and Horatio Cain’s posing, and New York for its grittiness.
“Also NCIS. I absolutely adore all the characters and especially Mark Harmon’s ‘Jethro’ and his relationship with the other members of the team. Wonderful stuff, well acted, with great plot lines and camera work. We just don’t seem to be able to do it like that.”
Axed TV show that you wish would return:
“Obviously it has to be The Green Green Grass! Then I could afford to eat again. Seriously, it was a joy to do, it was filmed near my home in Herefordshire, there were lots of old faces from Only Fools and Horses on the production team and I got to work with the lovely Sue Holderness again. All the people who made up the cast are terrific actors and friends, and I miss them all. Happy days.”