Legendary Only Fools and Horses actor Patrick Murray has died aged 68 after a battle with lung cancer.

The actor gained popularity for his portrayal of the Cockney schemer Mickey Pearce on the beloved BBC comedy show, acting alongside David Jason, who played Del Boy, and Nicholas Lyndhurst, who played Rodney Trotter.

He previously battled lung cancer but was given the all-clear until the illness returned a year later and spread to his legs and pelvis. 

The Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society paid tribute to the beloved actor in a statement shared to Facebook.

They said: ‘It is with heartfelt sadness that we report the death of our friend Patrick Murray – Mickey Pearce to so many.

‘He was a regular attendee of our conventions and we will miss his humour and the joy he bought to many.

The legendary Only Fools and Horses actor Patrick Murray has died aged 68 after his battle with lung cancer

The star was best known for playing as Cockney chancer Mickey Pearce in the classic BBC comedy show

Patrick, pictured centre, alongside David Jason as Del Boy, right, and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney Trotter, left

The star pictured next to Nicholas as Rodney, who his character often tried to exploit, in season three of the 80s classic

Patrick, pictured right, with the cast of the show during a 2001 Christmas special

His character Mickey trying to hop into a car in the middle of a busy crossroads

‘Well Pat!’

On X, The Only Fools podcast announced: ‘This never gets easier … rest in peace, Patrick Murray. 

‘Patrick was a very talented & clever actor with impeccable timing. He really bought ‘Mickey Pearce’ to life with a mischievous charm.’ 

He appeared as Mickey in 20 episodes of this classic sitcom, from 1983 to 2023, engaging in numerous comical misadventures with Del Boy.

He had previously shot to fame in gritty 70s crime drama Scum and The Who film Quadrophenia. 

Mickey often had fans in stitches thanks to his habit of exaggerating his success with business and women.

He also frequently exploited ‘plonker’ Rodney, taking advantage of his youthfulness.

Actor Patrick went on to star in a series of films including Curse Of The Pink Panther and The Firm.

After battling alcohol addiction, he enrolled in an Alcoholics Anonymous program, eventually leaving the glitzy entertainment industry to become a taxi driver in Kent.

He appeared as Mickey in 20 episodes of this classic sitcom, from 1983 to 2023, engaging in numerous comical misadventures with Del Boy.

Mickey, pictured right, often had fans in stitches thanks to his habit of exaggerating his success with business and women

Patrick pictured on Loose Women in 2018. After struggling with alcohol, he attended an Alcoholics Anonymous programme

He also spent time in Thailand where he met his partner Anong in 2016. The couple’s daughter Josie was born shortly after the wedding. 

However, during a 2018 appearance on ITV’s Loose Women, he disclosed that his family’s visa application had been rejected by the Home Office due to insufficient earnings.

He took up work as a chauffeur and described being a ‘Skype dad’ for two years of his daughter’s life. 

After years in the cold, he made an acting in 2019, starring in 13 episodes of Conditions as Frank Bridge.

In 2023 Patrick revealed a part of his liver has been removed after doctors discovered a malignant growth in 2022.

He shared with his audience: ‘Today I’m heading home without half a liver and a tumour that the amazing Prof Heaton removed last week. I had kept it a secret that they found another primary cancer last year.’

Five months after his initial diagnosis, he told fans he was ‘cured’, writing: ‘Thanks again for all your lovely messages. As you may know, I was diagnosed with lung cancer last July.

‘After an op in October to remove the tumour I had chemo to help prevent the cancer returning.

‘During this chemo, another tumour was discovered in my liver. Luckily for me this cancer was unconnected to the lung cancer and was also treatable.

‘I had a procedure called TACE to deal with this. Last Friday l saw my oncologist She told me the lung cancer was cured and that the tumour in my liver was shrinking.’

He cautiously added: ‘It’s not over yet, but as you can imagine I am over the moon with this latest news.’

Patrick’s death comes after his Only Fools co-stars John Challis, better known as Terrance Aubrey ‘Boycie’, and Paul Barber, who played the role of Denzil, both died in 2021.