Lifeboat launch dreamcometrue for Boycie actor
BOYCIE actor John Challis managed to tick off one of his bucket list wishes before he died – launching down the slipway of a lifeboat station.
Challis, born in Bristol and a Herefordshire resident, was best known for his role in BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. He died last week aged 79.
Pictures have now been released of him fulfilling a “childhood dream” – spending the day with a lifeboat crew.
Challis’ relationship with the The Lizard RNLI Lifeboat Station began in 2009 when the actor’s wife Carol contacted the base in Cornwall. She told the crew one of his bucket list wishes was to launch down the slipway.
The operations manager at Lizard lifeboat station said the crew were devastated by the death of Boycie, who was also their ambassador.
Posting on its Facebook page, the station said: “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, he wrote of the experience: “After a short car journey we arrived at one of my favourite Cornish destinations, the Lizard Lifeboat Station.
“The whole of the staff was waiting for us, including Carol’s coconspirator, 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?’
“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.”
Obituary on John Challis in tomorrow’s Western Daily Press