THE wife of Only Fools and Horses actor John Challis has thanked fans for their support after his death.

The popular star was a well-known face in Herefordshire, regularly making appearances at events in the county which he called home.

He died in September, aged 79, after a battle with cancer, his family said, with his funeral taking place on Saturday (October 3).

Wife Carol Challis shared pictures of the day on Twitter, showing a red flash on a wicker coffin to represent his lifelong love for Arsenal Football Club.

On Sunday, she tweeted: "We gave my lovely man a good send off yesterday, in the pouring rain, so I'm sharing these pics with you,if you don't mind.

"The red flash on the wicker is for the lifelong Arsenal fan and the cap was something he wore all the time."

She added: "I’d like to thank each and every one of you who has posted such lovely thoughts and words of support, and for all the love shown for John.

"It has been overwhelming and it’s a great comfort to know he will never be forgotten."

Mr Challis well-known for playing Boycie, a cigar-smoking businessman with a mocking laugh, in BBC Sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

In the popular show, he was married to the feisty Marlene – played by Sue Holderness – and regularly butted heads with Sir David's Del Boy.

She was among the mourners at Mr Challis's funeral on October 2, tweeting afterwards: "Darling John. It was a very beautiful (and very WET) send off.

"He would have approved. Thank you Carol. Miss him. Every moment."

Born in Bristol before moving to south east London as a small child, the 19-year-old, who had spent childhood holidays in Symonds Yat, and wife Carole came to Herefordshire in 1998, settling in the historic Abbot's Lodgings at Wigmore Abbey, which has remained their home ever since.

The much-loved actor previously said restoring and preserving the 12th century abbey, which was destroyed in 1530 in the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and which was used as a filming location in sitcom The Green Green Grass, which Challis starred in, was his and his wife's passion.

Wigmore Abbey is also home to Wigmore Books, set up in 2011 to publish books of general and local interest, fiction and non-fiction.

On September 19, a statement from his family to the PA news agency said: "It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news.

"Our dear friend and yours, John Challis, has died peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer.

"He will always be loved for being 'Boycie' and leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come.

"Please respect the privacy of John's family and friends at this difficult time, and be assured that in the future there will be an occasion to celebrate John's life – when everyone will be welcome to come along."

On Friday, Paul Whitehouse dedicated the first performance of the Only Fools And Horses musical since the pandemic closed theatres to the late John Challis.

Whitehouse, who plays Grandad in the West End stage version of the beloved sitcom, said he hoped the cast could pay a "fitting tribute" to the actor.

Challis, best-known for his portrayal of unscrupulous second-hand car dealer Boycie, died in September from cancer at the age of 79.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Whitehouse said: "It is very poignant because John Challis very sadly passed away recently. We are going to dedicate tonight's performance to John.

"He was a great supporter of the show. He had been fantastic and what a sad loss.

"I know everyone said this, but he is a genuinely lovely guy and we all miss him. We hope we can pay a fitting tribute."

Only Fools And Horses The Musical reopened at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket on Friday after closing 18 months ago due to the onset of the pandemic.

Whitehouse returns as Grandad, alongside Tom Bennett as Del Boy and Ryan Hutton as Rodney.

The reopening forms part of this year's 40th anniversary celebrations of the BBC sitcom, which ran from 1981 to 2003.

Challis was born in Bristol but moved to south-east London when he was one.

He played Terrance Aubrey Boyce in Only Fools And Horses from 1981 to 2003, as well as in Boycie-focused spin-off show The Green Green Grass.