Sir David Jason has spoken out after Patrick Murray, the actor who brought to life the character of Mickey Pearce in the cherished BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses, died aged 68.
The performer passed away peacefully in his sleep at 1:28am on Monday, September 29, with loved ones by his side.
Mr Murray appeared in 20 episodes of the iconic sitcom between 1983 and 2003, portraying the scheming associate of the Trotter brothers.
His character became a memorable part of the series, known for dubious business ventures and exaggerated tales of romantic conquests.
Only Fools and Horses stars John Challis and Patrick Murray | PAThe actor's death was confirmed on Thursday, October 2, prompting an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans alike.
Sir David spoke about the loss of his former colleague, calling it a profound blow to the Only Fools and Horses family. "I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Patrick after his difficult health battles," the veteran actor stated, according to the Mirror.
The Del Boy actor continued: "It is always a great loss to the Only Fools cast and crew as the show was, and still is, like a big family, and another one of our friends has passed away."
Sir David concluded his statement by extending his sympathies to those closest to Murray. "I would like to send my condolences to Patrick's family and friends."
David Jason is best-known for his iconic role as Del Boy Trotter | GETTY
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The BBC echoed the sentiment held by Sir David in a statement of its own.
A spokesperson said: "We are very sad to hear of the passing of Patrick Murray, much loved for his role as Mickey in Only Fools and Horses, our thoughts are with his friends and family."
Sue Holderness, who portrayed Marlene in the series, shared her own heartfelt message on social media. "R.I.P. darling Patrick. Much love. You will be greatly missed," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Mr Murray's character Mickey Pearce was a small-time trader who peddled dodgy merchandise alongside the Trotters.
R.I.P. darling Patrick. Much love. You will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/UL1Dwr4fQK
— Sue Holderness (@SueHolderness) October 2, 2025
While not one of the core cast, the role still made Mr Murray a memorable figure in the minds of many of the sitcom's fans.
Mr Murray's health struggles began in July 2021 when doctors discovered he had cancer.
He underwent surgery to extract a tumour from his lung in its initial stages, followed by chemotherapy treatment in January 2022.
Medical examinations later revealed an unrelated tumour in his liver, which was also deemed treatable.
Sir David Jason admitted he was 'saddened' by the loss
| GETTYBy May 2022, Mr Murray received encouraging news that his lung cancer had been eliminated and the liver tumour was reducing in size.
However, the disease returned in April 2023. Beyond Only Fools and Horses, Mr Murray featured in the 1979 productions Quadrophenia and Scum, plus appearances in The Bill, Bergerac, and ITV Playhouse.