By Neil Shaw

Copyright walesonline

Actor Patrick Murray, who played Mickey Pearce in the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, has died. Murray played the much-loved character in 20 episodes of the BBC show – as well as having roles in Scum, Quadrophenia and The Firm. Murray was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and a tumour was later found in his liver. By May, 2022 the star said his lung cancer was ‘cured’ and the tumour was shrinking. But in April 2023 he said the cancer had returned. Murray was part of the UK’s favourite sitcom, which first graced our screens in 1981 . His character Mickey Pearce was a friend of Del Boy and Rodney from the Nag’s Head pub. His character was a smooth-talking Cockney conman, known for his exaggerated tales of business triumphs and romantic conquests. After showbusiness, Murray opened his own pub in 1998, but subsequently struggled with alcohol addiction before finding help through Alcoholics Anonymous. After retiring from acting, he held various jobs including builder, taxi driver, and DJ, and even tried his hand at professional poker. He also spent a decade living in Thailand, where he married his Thai partner Anong in 2016. Their daughter Josie was born in Thailand shortly after their wedding. D uring a 2018 appearance on Loose Women , Murray said he had to come back to the UK in order to obtain a visa for his family after the Home Office rejected their application because he apparently didn’t earn enough money to support them. He opened up about the ordeal, calling the decision by the Home Office “heartbreaking.” Patrick took up work as a chauffeur, driving an executive Mercedes. He said at the time: “Being out of the industry for so long, the work dried up so I went back to driving an executive car, a Mercedes, to do it. I only saw my baby on the phone for two years, I was a Skype dad.” His acting career experienced a resurgence in 2019 with a role in the TV series Conditions as Frank Bridge across 13 episodes. A statement shared on an Only Fools fanpage, read: “Patrick Murray. 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 brought to many. “Sleep Well Pat!”