We’re grief stricken, says Only Fools star as son dies aged 19
ONLY Fools And Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst and his wife have been left ‘grief stricken’ after the death of their son aged just 19.
Archie Lyndhurst was best known for playing Oillie Coulton in the CBBC comedy show So Awkward. Confirming his death, the channel said yesterday: ‘Archie will be hugely missed by all who worked with him and by all the fans who laughed along with Ollie in the show.’
The teenager, who had a role in school comedy Bad Education with Jack Whitehall, was the son of actor Lyndhurst, 59, and his wife, former ballet dancer Lucy Smith.
In a statement, Lyndhurst said: ‘Lucy and I are utterly grief stricken and respectfully request privacy.’ His mother replied to an Instagram post about Archie’s death by Game of Thrones star Samuel Small, writing: ‘He will love you and watch over you forever.’
John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools And Horses, tweeted: ‘The saddest news of all.
‘The death of Archie Lyndhurst, just starting out on his chosen career in acting. My heart aches for Nick and Lucy. They could not have loved him more.’
Sue Holderness, who played Boycie’s wife Marlene, said: ‘It is too sad
to hear that Archie Lyndhurst has died. My heart goes out to his mum and dad, and to all who knew him.’
CBBC’s head of content, Cheryl Taylor, said: ‘He was such a talented young actor and meant so much to all of those involved in So Awkward as well as to the CBBC audience.
‘He will be greatly missed by us all and our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.’
Production company Channel X North, which makes So Awkward, said Archie was a ‘hilarious, generous, kind-hearted young man’.