John Challis' final Only Fools documentary seeks UK broadcaster

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 16:57 · Archive

A previously unseen documentary featuring John Challis and Sue Holderness, recorded weeks before his death in 2021, is seeking a UK broadcaster.

A documentary featuring John Challis' final television appearance is being offered to UK broadcasters. A Marriage Made in Peckham, directed by Lazar Vukovic, shows the late Only Fools and Horses actor and Sue Holderness, his on-screen wife, reminiscing about their years on the BBC sitcom. Challis died of cancer in September 2021 at the age of 79, having recorded the documentary just weeks before his death.

Vukovic, known for his 2020 documentary Boycie in Belgrade, has more than four hours of footage with both actors. He believes the material could be edited into either a two-hour special or a two-part series. He said: 'This was the last time John stepped in front of a camera, and he spent it doing what he did best – making people laugh alongside Sue.'

Challis first appeared as Boycie in the second episode of Only Fools and Horses in September 1981, with Holderness joining four years later. Both remained with the show until its final episode on Christmas Day 2003. Vukovic added: 'We wanted to wait for the right moment, and with the 45th anniversary and the love we're seeing for Only Fools right now, that moment has come. We're looking for a broadcaster who will give John's farewell the home it deserves.'

The timing coincides with increased interest in the series. Last week, the first two-parter of Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive aired on U+Gold, featuring unseen moments and interviews with cast members including Sir David Jason, Tessa Peake-Jones and Gwyneth Strong. Helen Nightingale, UKTV's head of factual entertainment commissioning, said the first series focused on roughly ten episodes, indicating substantial unseen footage from the show remains.

How it is being reported

• Only Fools and Horses star final appearance could air four years after his deathJohn Challis’ final Only Fools and Horses documentary, A Marriage Made in Peckham, seeks a UK broadcaster.Croydon Guardian · 26 Oct, 16:44
• Only Fools and Horses star final appearance could air four years after his deathJohn Challis’ final Only Fools and Horses documentary, A Marriage Made in Peckham, seeks a UK broadcaster.News Shopper · 26 Oct, 16:44
• Only Fools and Horses star final appearance could air four years after his deathJohn Challis’ final Only Fools and Horses documentary, A Marriage Made in Peckham, seeks a UK broadcaster.Wandsworth Guardian · 26 Oct, 16:44

In this story: John Challis · Sue Holderness · Lazar Vukovic · Only Fools and Horses · BBC · U+Gold

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