Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis’s widow reveals cruel thieves stole a watch

Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis’s widow has revealed that thieves stole a watch from her nephew’s body after he died last month. 

John’s wife Carol Challis broke the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, that her husband’s ‘friend’ and ‘my nephew Si’ had his belongings stolen after he passed away in July this year. 

She said: ‘Simon’s personal belongings were returned to us today from Germany,at last.

‘Sadly his wristwatch was missing. Disappointing that someone should feel the need to help themselves.

‘God bless these two, my much loved husband and his friend,my nephew Si.’ 

Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis’s (pictured left) widow has revealed that thieves stole a watch from her nephew’s (pictured right) body after he died last month

Carol revealed the news of Simon’s shock death last month, saying; ‘Rest easy Simon and may you forever ride the best waves down in Falmouth’.

She added in another post: ‘Thinking of dear Simon and hoping we can bring him home soon.

‘He was a great skateboarder and especially loved his surfing down in Cornwall and lived life ‘to da max’.What a bloody waste.’

John Challis died in September 2021, aged 79, after a long battle with cancer. 

He was best-known for his portrayal of second-hand car dealer Boycie – a cigar-smoking businessman with a mocking laugh who butted heads with Del Boy – in the beloved British sitcom, starring alongside Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. 

Challis was born in Bristol but when he was one, the family moved to south-east London. 

He attended the state boarding Ottershaw School near Woking, Surrey – and upon leaving school he worked as a trainee estate agent before becoming an actor.