Dunshaughlin artist says meeting TV hero is memory he will "treasure forever"

A TV fanatic says getting the chance to meet his childhood hero Only fools and Horses legend John Challis who passed away at the weekend is a memory he will treasure forever.

Sean Purcell, 48, from Dunshaughlin who paints art based on iconic 80s film and TV shows met the cast of the iconic sit com early last year just before the first lockdown.

The actor who played Boycie in the BBC comedy signed the artist’s Only Fools and Horses montage in 2013 and but getting a chance to spend time with the much loved character was a special moment that became all the more poignant in recent days according to Sean who said:

“To meet him in person was amazing and to have him sign my painting was just magic.

“They say you should never meet your heroes because you might be disappointed but John and Sue Holderness who played Marlene were just an utter pleasure to talk to.

“It was in February just before Covid 19 started to shut all these kind of events down so if it had been a few weeks later it would never have materialised.”

“I met him twice and the last time I met him he said I hope to see you in Dublin, he was due to come over soon after but then covid hit and a travel ban came in so it sadly never happened.

“He had a great sense of humour and got great enjoyment out of an iconic scene I featured of him and Marlene in my painting, he got a laugh out of it.

“He was a gentleman, mannerly and courteous and very jovial.

“I was thrilled to meet him and to get his signature on my painting is something that makes it priceless.

"Meeting him is a memory I'll treasure forever."

Describing how he came to meet the iconic cast, the Dunshaughlin artist said:

“I had got the news that Sir David was going to be doing a very rare public appearance, something he was doing to raise funds for charity.

“I eventually secured a ticket to the event just outside London so I flew over.

“They had recreated the actual set of Only Fools and Horses, having watched it throughout my childhood it was surreal to be on it with him.

“I was chatting to him for a few minutes. He is a complete gentleman, very humble, very down to earth and good humoured.

It was a poignant moment for artist Sean as his tribute to the cult 80s TV show was the first painting he created after being diagnosed with Chronic Neuropathic Pain and after a 20-year hiatus from art.

Sean who uses his art as a form of therapy to deal with his chronic pain condition has had his work signed by some of Hollywood’s biggest A-list stars including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.

John Challis’s link with Meath doesn’t end there. Last November residents in Ashbourne who are fighting to save the only green space they have access to from development were shocked to receive a message of support from the legendary actor.

When Del Boy’s pal got wind that developers were trying to come in and build three large apartment blocks on the only green area children have to play on in Millbourne Housing Estate in Ashbourne he was none too pleased.

In a hilarious video Challis channeling the iconic character warns he may have to get “The Driscoll Brothers” (Peckhams’s answer to the Kray Twins) on the case and tells the community to “fight the good fight.”

The legendary character even retweeted the Meath Chronicle article featuring the video in support of the residents.

Rest in peace John.