Only Fools star Lyndhurst’s grief at death of son aged 19
ONLY Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst says he is ‘utterly grief- stricken’ after the sudden death of his teenage son.
Archie, who had followed his father into acting, was found at the family home last week following a ‘short illness’.
Police described the 19-year-old’s death as ‘ unexplained but not suspicious’. It was confirmed yesterday by CBBC, for whom Archie had starred as Ollie Coulton in comedy show So Awkward.
In a Twitter post, they said: ‘We’re so sorry to have to tell you that Archie Lyndhurst, who so brilliantly played Ollie on CBBC, has very sadly died after a short illness.
‘Archie will be hugely missed by all who worked with him, and by all the fans who laughed along with Ollie in the show.’
Following the announcement, Archie’s mother Lucy Smith posted an emotional tribute to her son.
In response to an Instagram post by his series co- star Samuel Small about the death, she wrote: ‘He will love you and watch over you forever.’ Lyndhurst later issued a statement on behalf of himself and his wife saying: ‘Lucy and I are utterly grief-stricken and respectfully request privacy.’
Archie appeared in So Awkward, which followed the lives of a group of school friends, from its beginnings in 2015.
He had been dating Nethra Tilakumara, 23, who played his girlfriend Kat in the show, and had described her as his ‘muse’.
His 59- year- old father, most famous for playing Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, appeared in a 2019 episode.
CBBC paid an on-air tribute to Archie last night just before the latest instalment in the series was shown ‘in honour’ of the actor.
Regular presenter Joe Tasker was joined by Newsround presenter Martin Dougan to break the news to the channel’s young audience.
Dougan explained that it was ‘incredibly sad news, and we know that lots of you will be upset to hear this, like we’ve all been at CBBC today’.
He read out some of the tributes to Archie from his co- stars, who said he had the ‘biggest heart’.
Tasker then said: ‘Of course this is something we’ve never expected to even talk about in CBBC HQ. Needless to say, all our thoughts and sympathies here at CBBC go out to Archie’s friends and family.
‘We’ve had him as a guest here plenty of times in HQ and all I’ve heard is everyone speak so highly of him and that he was such a brilliant guy and such a great actor as well.’
Earlier, Samuel Small, who plays Rob Edwards, posted: ‘ My heart aches all day and every day thinking about you and I just wish I could talk to you just one more time so you could know how much I loved you. I vow to make you proud with every last breath. Love you from now until infinity. Rest in power bro.
‘I’ve never met someone so full of life and had touched so many people’s hearts. Archie was there for me in my lowest lows but my highest highs were with him.
‘Archie’s my best friend and to say goodbye so soon is absolutely devastating, but his calling was obviously somewhere else and I hope he is brightening up wherever he is.’
Sophia Dall’aglio, who plays Marented tha Fitzgerald in the series, added: ‘You were the light in the room, even on a bad day, and brought all of us together.
‘It’s true, things won’t be the same without you, but while you were here you did nothing but your best to make people happy.
‘ The biggest heart I’ve ever known, thank you so much for changing my life in the seven years we had together. I’m so grateful.’
Commenting on the post, Mrs Lyndhurst, a 47-year- old former ballet dancer, added: ‘He knew you loved him. And he loved you too.’
CBBC head of content Cheryl Taylor said they were devastated by the news. ‘He was such a talyoung 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 at this time,’ she said.
John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, said Archie’s death was ‘the saddest news of all’.
He said: ‘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 the news was ‘too sad’, adding: ‘My heart goes out to his Mum and Dad and to all who knew him.’
Archie, an only child, decided he wanted to be an actor aged eight, after his father initially warned him against a career in showbusiness.
He trained at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School and appeared in Jack Whitehall’s Bad Education series from the age of 11 before his big break in So Awkward. He also made a guest appearance in Casualty.
In addition to his acting Archie had a keen interest in fashion and had started his own clothes line called Fated To Pretend.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the family home in Fulham, west London, on Tuesday last week following reports of a ‘concern for welfare’.
Archie was declared dead at the scene. Police are no longer investigating the death and a file has been passed on to the coroner.
‘The saddest news of all’