Advertisement

Nicholas Lyndhurst: Only Fools and Horses actor speaks out for first time since death of son Archie, aged 19

Getty Images / Instagram (Getty Images / Instagram)
Getty Images / Instagram (Getty Images / Instagram)

Only Fools and Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst has spoken out for the first time since the death of his son aged 19.

Archie Lyndhurst, an actor who appeared on CBBC, died after what the channel said was “a short illness”.

An inquest into his death is due to be opened next week. It is currently being treated as “unexplained but unsuspicious”.

Comedy actor Lyndhurst said in a statement that he and his wife Lucy are “utterly grief stricken” by the news.

He added: “[We] respectfully request privacy.”

Archie Lyndhurst, the son of 'Only Fools and Horses' actor Nicholas Lyndhurst, has diedInstagram
Archie Lyndhurst, the son of 'Only Fools and Horses' actor Nicholas Lyndhurst, has diedInstagram

Archie is Rodney Trotter star Lyndhurst’s son with his wife of 21 years, Lucy Smith. He was born in 2000.

He followed his father into the acting profession and, in 2015, had his breakthrough as Ollie Coulton in kids show So Awkward.

Archie also appeared in the sitcom Bad Education, in which he played the young version of Jack Whitehall’s lead character.

Comedian Whitehall paid tribute to Archie, writing on Instagram: “Archie Lyndhurst came in to my life nearly 10 years ago, playing the young me in a short film I’d written. He was brilliant, so talented and funny. An utter joy to work with.”

He continued: "I have no doubt he would have had a long and illustrious career and would have continued lighting up the lives of all those who encountered him."

CBBC paid tribute to Lyndhurst, writing: “Archie will be hugely missed by all who worked with him, and by all the fans who laughed along with Ollie in the show.

The channel also urged any young fans feeling affected by the news to contact Childline.

Read more

Piers Morgan should try watching and listening during Black History Month

Alec Guinness: Why he was at his best as the king of creeps

Sofia Coppola films ranked, from Lost in Translation to The Virgin Suicides