Advertisement

John Challis photos show late star living childhood dream with lifeboat launch

These pictures show Boycie actor John Challis ticking off one of his bucket list wishes before he died - launching down the slipway of a lifeboat station (August 09). See SWNS story SWPLboycie; Tributes have been paid to John Challis, best known for playing Boycie in BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, who has died at the age of 79. His family said he died
John Challis lived one of his childhood dreams on the lifeboat. (SWNS)

Newly released pictures of John Challis have shown the late actor ticking off a bucket list dream before he died by launching down the slipway of a lifeboat station.

Challis, best known for his role as Boycie in BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, died last week aged 79.

Read more: Sir David Jason thought John Challis was on the road to recovery

Pictures have now been released of him fulfilling a 'childhood dream' and spending the day with a lifeboat crew.

The star's wife Carol had contacted Lizard lifeboat station in Cornwall to tell them that it was one of his bucket list wishes to launch down the slipway and he later wrote about the surprise of getting to experience it in his autobiography.

These pictures show Boycie actor John Challis ticking off one of his bucket list wishes before he died - launching down the slipway of a lifeboat station (August 09). See SWNS story SWPLboycie; Tributes have been paid to John Challis, best known for playing Boycie in BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, who has died at the age of 79. His family said he died
The crew are devastated at news of his death. (SWNS)

Challis went on to become the station's ambassador and the crew are said to have been left devastated by his death.

A Facebook post from Lizard lifeboat station read: "All at The Lizard RNLI Lifeboat Station were so very sad to hear of the passing of our great friend John Challis.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with John's family and friends at this very sad time."

In his autobiography Boycie & Beyond, Challis wrote: "After a short car journey we arrived at one of my favourite Cornish destinations, the Lizard Lifeboat Station.

These pictures show Boycie actor John Challis ticking off one of his bucket list wishes before he died - launching down the slipway of a lifeboat station (August 09). See SWNS story SWPLboycie; Tributes have been paid to John Challis, best known for playing Boycie in BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, who has died at the age of 79. His family said he died
John Challis wrote about the exprience in his autobiography. (SWNS)

"The whole of the staff was waiting for us, including Carol's co-conspirator, Ned Nuzum.

"Coxswain Phil Burgess approached. 'Glad you're here, John. We've got an exercise today and we're a bit short of crew. Can you help us out?'

Read more: Tributes paid to 'true gentleman' John Challis

"Could I? I couldn't wait. Going out on a lifeboat was something I'd dreamed of doing ever since I was a kid.

"I was togged out in oilskins, helmet and boots. I was hustled on to the lifeboat on its little house and we were off down the slipway. It was utterly thrilling."

Watch: David Jason leads tributes to Only Fools and Horses pal John Challis