Legendary Only Fools and Horses actor Patrick Murray made a heartwarming gesture to a fan visiting his hospice weeks before his death.

The actor, who died aged 68 after a battle with lung cancer, is pictured in his hospice bed after meeting the fan who he gave a signed photo.

Mr Murray 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 actor was most famous for his role as the Cockney opportunist Mickey Pearce in the beloved BBC comedy series, sharing the screen with David Jason as Del Boy and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney Trotter.

And, a devoted fan of the show has shared his touching encounter with the actor was visiting his father, who shared a ward with Mr Murray.

Paul Canal, a Councillor from Redbridge, shared that the actor had given him an autographed photo and introduced him to his wife and daughter just a month before the actor passed away.

The Leader of the Conservative Party in the Bridge ward, Redbridge, posted a photo on X showing the actor smiling and giving a thumbs up from a hospital bed.

‘My father shared a ward at Wisdom Hospice with “Micky Pierce” aka Patrick Murray,’ he wrote.

The actor, who died aged 68 after a battle with lung cancer , is pictured in his hospice bed after meeting the fan who he gave a signed photo

The legendary Only Fools and Horses actor Patrick Murray 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

‘On my first visit to Dad 4 weeks ago he gave me a signed photo, which I will frame. 

‘I also met his lovely wife Anong and their beautiful daughter Josie. It was a wonderful family. 

‘Condolences and love to all the family and friends. In the picture ‘Mickey’ is wearing my hat!” 

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.

‘Sleep 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.’ 

The actor is survived by his wife Anong, who he met in Thailand in 2016, and their daughter Josie (pictured, the family together)

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

The actor is survived by his wife Anong, who he met in Thailand in 2016, and their daughter Josie.

The actor portrayed Mickey in 20 episodes of the renowned comedy series between 1983 and 2023, participating in numerous amusing get-rich-quick schemes 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 issues, he joined an Alcoholics Anonymous program, leading him to leave the enticing entertainment industry to become a taxi driver in Kent.

During an interview on ITV’s Loose Women in 2018, he disclosed that the Home Office had denied his family’s visa application because he did not meet the financial requirements.

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.

After struggling with alcohol, he attended an Alcoholics Anonymous programme, after which he quit the glamorous world of showbusiness and worked as a taxi driver in Kent. Pictured: Patrick with his wife Anong and their daughter Josie 

In an appearance on ITV show Loose Women in 2018, the star revealed his application for a visa for his family had been refused by the Home Office as he did not earn enough money. Pictured: Patrick and his wife Anong 

The actor starred as Mickey across 20 episodes of the iconic comedy series, from 1983 to 2023, joining Del Boy in a host of hilarious wheeler-dealer antics

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

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

He told followers: ‘I am going home today. Minus half a liver and a tumour that the wonderful Prof Heaton removed last week. I kept this under my hat that they’d discovered 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-star John Challis, better known as Terrance Aubrey ‘Boycie’, died in 2021.

John’s wife Carol paid her own tribute to Patrick today, taking to X to say: ‘My condolences to Pat’s beloved wife Anong and their daughter Josie.’