Patrick Murray dead: Only Fools and Horses legend Mickey Pearce dies

Only Fools and Horses legend Patrick Murray has died at the age of 68.

The actor, best known for playing 'wheeler dealer' Mickey Pearce, had battled lung cancer but was given the all-clear. In 2023 Patrick revealed his cancer had returned and spread to his legs and pelvis.

A moving statement shared on an Only Fools fanpage, read: "It is with heartfelt sadness that we report the death of our friend Patrick Murray - Mickey Pearce to so many. He was a regular attendee of our conventions, and we will miss his humour and the joy he brought to many."

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On X, The Only Fools podcast announced: "This never gets easier … rest in peace, Patrick Murray. Patrick was a very talented & clever actor with impeccable timing. He really bought ‘Mickey Pearce’ to life with a mischievous charm.”

Fans of the beloved BBC sitcom rushed to share their heartbreak at another legend lost from the show. One responded to the news: "Patrick used to be a cabby in Blackheath in the 90s and often I would get him to drive me home after a late night out at the pub… he would do this in between his bouts of acting…. This is very sad news."

Another replied: "Such sad news. A lovely gentleman. Thank you for the laughs where he'll live on forever. Rest in Peace."

Actor Patrick played the role of Mickey in 20 episodes of Only Fools and Horses during its 22-year run from 1983 to 2003 and like Del Boy was known for wheeling and dealing in black market goods.

The trilby-wearing entrepreneur was renowned for his outlandish claims about his success in both business and with women, and frequently took advantage of pal Rodney's inexperience in the trade.

After the show ended in 2003, he landed several big-screen roles including The Firm and Curse Of The Pink Panther.

In 1998, he was the proud owner of a British pub but sadly turned to booze and ended up getting rid of the establishment.

Having successfully attended an Alcoholics Anonymous programme he focused on his rehabilitation. When the programme came to an end Patrick decided to turn his back on the glitz and glamour and quit acting to became a taxi driver in Kent.

Patrick also spent a decade living in Thailand, where he married his Thai partner Anong in 2016. Their daughter Josie was born in Thailand shortly after their wedding.

During a 2018 appearance on Loose Women, Patrick revealed that he had to come back to the UK in order to get a visa for his family. The move came after the Home Office rejected their application because he apparently didn't earn enough money to support them.

He opened up about the ordeal, calling the decision by the Home Office "heartbreaking."

With no acting work on the horizon, Patrick took up work as a chauffeur, driving an executive Mercedes, all while missing precious moments with his family.

He reflected: "Being out of the industry for so long, the work dried up so I went back to driving an executive car, a Mercedes, to do it. I only saw my baby on the phone for two years, I was a Skype dad."

However, there was a silver lining when Patrick's acting career experienced a comeback in 2019 with a role in the TV series Conditions as Frank Bridge across 13 episodes.

Patrick is the latest loss from the Only Fools and Horses cast after John Challis, better known as Terrance Aubrey 'Boycie', died in September 2021 at the age of 79. Paul Barber, who played the role of Denzil, died in the same year.

Roger Lloyd-Pack, known for his portrayal of the loveable but dim Trigger, died in 2014.

In recent years Patrick's health suffered and in 2023 he revealed his cancer has returned and spread to his legs and pelvis.

The 66-year-old previously battled lung cancer and was given the all-clear in 2022.

In an online post he said at the time: "Despite all the wonderful efforts by the medical and nursing teams at Medway ,Guys ,and Kings College hospitals, the lung cancer has returned.

"I thought I had a painful groin strain a couple of months ago, unfortunately that turned out to be the cancer getting into my pelvis and leg bones. It has also entered my lymphatic system.

He continued: "What about the good news? I had radiology treatment last week and my oncologist is fairly confident this will stop the leg pain, and I will be up and about again.

"Another positive is my consultant. He is confident that the chemo will keep things in check for months and even years

"His optimism comes not from kindness of which I know he has in spades, but advances in cancer medicine. The genetic molecular tests are super precise, and the choice of meds can be made with much more confidence.

"I am feeling positive with my good wife's awesome support."

In January, Patrick revealed a part of his liver has been removed after doctors discovered a malignant growth in 2022.

He said on twitter: "I am going home today.'"Minus half a liver and a tumour that the wonderful Prof Heaton removed last week. I kept this under my hat that they'd discovered another primary cancer last year."

Prior to that he announced in January 2022 that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer after doctors discovered a malignant tumour.

But there was better news to come later in the year and five months later, he told fans he was "cured", writing on twitter: "Thanks again for all your lovely messages. As you may know, I was diagnosed with lung cancer last July.

"After an op in October to remove the tumour I had chemo to help prevent the cancer returning.

'During this chemo, another tumour was discovered in my liver. Luckily for me this cancer was unconnected to the lung cancer and was also treatable.

"I had a procedure called TACE to deal with this. Last Friday l saw my oncologist. She told me the lung cancer was cured and that the tumour in my liver was shrinking.

At the time he cautiously added: "It's not over yet, but as you can imagine I am over the moon with this latest news.

"Thanks to the brilliant doctors and nurses of our NHS, I will hopefully be there, at next year's convention."