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John Challis, best known for playing Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, has died aged 79.
His family said he died "peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer".
They said he "leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come".
Challis played the unscrupulous second-hand car dealer Terrance Aubrey 'Boycie' Boyce in the TV sitcom.
He starred in the show from 1981 to 2003 alongside Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, and his character was so popular with viewers that Challis also portrayed him for four series of spin-off show The Green Green Grass, alongside on-screen wife Marlene.
Sue Holderness, who played Marlene, paid tribute to Challis as her "beloved friend".
"Marlene without Boycie - it's unthinkable," she said. "John Challis was my partner on screen and stage for 36 years and my beloved friend. RIP darling John. I will miss you every day."
Earlier this month, Challis cancelled a speaking tour due to ill health.
More recently he played Monty Staines in ITV show Benidorm.
English (US)