Tributes have begun pouring in for Patrick Murray, best known for starring as Mickey Pearce in Only Fools and Horses, who died last week at the age of 68.
Last week Thursday (October 2) the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society shared the tragic news that Murray had passed away in Rochester where he lived after a four-year battle with lung cancer.
Announcing his death on Facebook, the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society said it was with “heartfelt sadness that we announce 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.”
Patrick was born in 1956 and grew up on a council estate in Greenwich before going on to attend school in Nunhead – St Francesca Cabrini Primary followed by St Thomas the Apostle.
He entered the world of acting at a young age, nabbing his first role on the stage at the young age of 15.
Throughout his career Patrick starred in many big projects – The Firm, Scum, Quadrophenia, Curse of the Pink Panther and Bergerac – but was best known for the character of Mickey Pearce in the now iconic Peckham-based sitcom.
In later life, Patrick withdrew from the acting world and began working as a cabbie in Kent and South east London.
Murray had been battling cancer since 2021 when he first revealed doctors had discovered a tumour in his lung.
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He underwent surgery at King’s College Hospital to remove the lung tumour and a second tumour in his liver, announcing in 2022 that doctors had given him the all-clear.
But in April 2023 he revealed his lung cancer had returned.
Tributes have been pouring through for the actor on Facebook, with fans offering condolences to Patrick’s family and sharing their personal memories and encounters.
One fan commented: “Rest peacefully Patrick. Mickey Pearce was a legendary character in fools. Thank you for the laughs, you’re going to be missed.”
“Patrick used to be a cabby in Blackheath in the 90s and often I would get him to drive me home after a late night out at the pub,” remembered a user. “He would do this in between his bouts of acting…. This is very sad news.”
Another wrote: “At the height of his fame, I regularly played snooker with him at the New Cross CIU club. He was a good player. Fame never went to his head.”
“I used to drink with him back in the 90s around nunhead/ new cross, south east London,we went to the same primary and secondary schools although he was a few years older than me,” recalled another. “I was chatting to him on messenger last year and he said that he was feeling poorly. Sad to hear about this.”
We’ve lost so many talented Actors and Actresses over recent years – So Much Pleasure, To So Many, From So Few – it’s like coming to the end of an enjoyable favourite book; and wondering if the library is now out of stock?
Rest in Peace, to All; and Thank You for the enjoyment.