Patrick Murray, best known for playing Mickey Pearce in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, has died. The actor appeared in 20 episodes of the beloved show, as well as in films such as 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 he said his lung cancer was 'cured' and the tumour was shrinking, but in April 2023 he revealed the cancer had returned.
After his acting career, Murray ran a pub for a time but struggled with alcohol addiction before finding help through Alcoholics Anonymous. He later worked as a builder, taxi driver, DJ and professional poker player. He also spent a decade living in Thailand, where he married his partner Anong in 2016 and had a daughter, Josie.
In 2018, Murray appeared on Loose Women and spoke of the 'heartbreaking' decision by the Home Office to reject his family's visa application because he did not earn enough money. He then took up work as a chauffeur, driving an executive Mercedes, and said: 'Being out of the industry for so long, the work dried up so I went back to driving an executive car... I only saw my baby on the phone for two years, I was a Skype dad.'
His acting career saw a resurgence in 2019 with a role in the TV series Conditions. A statement from an Only Fools fanpage said: '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.'
