'Only Fools and Horses' star Patrick Murray battling lung disease

Patrick Murray, the actor who played Mickey Pearce in Only Fools and Horses, is suffering from lung disease and has had to pull out of a planned charity event, according to reports.

61-year-old Murray, who has retired from acting and is now a cab driver, was set to take part in a recreation of the classic 1989 episode The Jolly Boys’ Outing, to raise money for the children’s hospice Demelza.

The episode saw Del Boy and pals head to Margate for the day, with the plan to have Murray host a trip to the seaside town with 70 fans on an open top bus, travelling from Leysdown-on-Sea in Kent.

But according to the Daily Mirror, he was forced to pull out of the event due to ill health.

Murray is said to be suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but hopes to be well enough to reschedule the event for October.

His agent told the paper: “Pat was really disappointed to let so many people down, but he is having treatment and hopes to arrange it again later in the year.”

“Demelza is a local charity and one which everyone involved in this re-creation felt is a great cause,” added Murray.

The Greenwich-born actor appeared in 20 episodes of the classic sitcom alongside Sir David Jason, playing Mickey Pearce, the Mod-ish wideboy never seen out of his trilby.

He also landed roles in the movie’s Scum, Quadrophenia and The Firm, with Gary Oldman, as well as TV shows like The Bill and Lovejoy.

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