ONLY FOOLS STAR’S SON DIES AT JUST 19
Nicholas ‘grief-stricken’ after loss of CBBC actor Archie following illness
ONLY Fools and Horses legend Nicholas Lyndhurst is “utterly griefstricken” following the death of son Archie at 19 after a short illness.
Archie, the Rodney Trotter star’s only child, was also a talented actor and had been performing since he was 11.
He was best known as Ollie Coulton in CBBC comedy So Awkward – and was dating co-star Nethra Tilakumara.
Nicholas, 59, had Archie with wife of 21 years Lucy Smith, a former ballet dancer. Last night he said: “Lucy and I are utterly grief-stricken and respectfully request privacy.”
The circumstances of Archie’s death at the family home in West London on September 22 are unexplained but non-suspicious. An inquest will be held next week. CBBC said in a statement: “Archie will be hugely missed by all who worked with him and by all the fans who laughed along with Ollie in the show.”
Channel X North, t he produ c t i o n company that makes So Awkward, added: “We are deeply shocked and saddened. As well as hilarious, he was a generous, kind-hearted young man. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Archie’s grieving mother Lucy replied to a moving post about Archie’s death from his best friend and co-star Samuel Small, 19. Lucy wrote: “He will love you and watch over you for ever.”
John Challis, 78, who played spiv car dealer Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, said: “The saddest news of all today. The death of Archie Lyndhurst, just starting out on his chosen career in acting. My heart aches for Nick and Lucy.”
And Sue Holderness, 71, who played Marlene, said: “My heart goes out to his Mum and Dad and all who knew him.”
As well as hilarious, he was a generous, kind-hearted young man
CHANNEL X NORTH IN TRIBUTE TO ARCHIE
ICONIC Nicholas in hit Only Fools