Only Fools and Horses actor sends hilarious message of support to Millbourne residents

Residents in Ashbourne who are fighting to save the only green space they have access to from development were shocked to receive a message of support from legendary Only Fools and Horses’ actor “Boycie” last night!

When Del Boy’s pal Boycie AKA actor John Challis (75) who plays the much loved character in the iconic BBC sitcom got wind that developers were trying to come in and build three large apartment blocks on the only green area children have to play on in Millbourne Housing Estate in Ashbourne he was none too pleased.

In a hilarious video Challis channeling the iconic character warns he may have to get “The Driscoll Brothers” (Peckhams’s answer to the Kray Twins) on the case and tells the community to “fight the good fight.”

Last month An Bord Pleanála granted permission for 30 apartments on the only green space in Millbourne estate in Ashbourne.

The decision follows many prior rejections and protests from locals and it seems that they now have the backing of one of the UK’s national treasures who starred in the long running show alongside Sir David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst and TV wife Marlene played by Sue Holderness.

In a video posted by the Millbourne Resident’s Association, the legendary actor can be heard saying:

“Good day to you Millbourne residents one and all, Boycie here. Now a little bird tells me that some planning department Johnny is threatening to grab your one and only green open space and build blocks of flats on it for god’s sake.

“We all know particularly in this lockdown malarkey that green spaces are essential for our physical and mental well being so you tell him that anymore of this and I’ll send the Driscoll Brothers round to have a word, see where that gets him.”

He ended the priceless skit with a nod to long suffering Marlene saying “come along Marlene for gawd sake and before signing off he told residents to keep going saying “fight the good fight!”

It has been a long running battle for Millbourne who recently set up a GoFundMe page to help with legal costs to challenge the decision in a judicial review.

Local man Keith Keeley (38), member for the Millbourne Resident’s Association and Only Fools and Horses super fan was the brains behind the brilliant stunt.

He says he was “stunned” when he saw the video, adding that it has given the community “a huge boost.” He said:

“I had to play it back about ten times when I saw it, I was in shock, I’m a massive Only Fools and Horses fan and the way he did it in character was absolutely brilliant.

“He hit all the notes that you’d want Boycie to do with his drink in his hand, calling Marlene and getting the Driscoll Brothers, we couldn’t have asked for more.

“Everyone in the estate went crazy when they saw it. It has been a long battle here and it gets on top of you constantly so for people here to get a bit of a laugh even for a 50 second video is good.”

Keith explains how the whole thing came together:

“There is a website where you can apply to get personalised videos from celebrities, they are generally for birthday greetings or congratulating someone for passing their exams but I thought I’d try and get some awareness for our cause.

“I saw that Boycie was one of the celebrities available and I thought he would be brilliant to get our message across and get us some more attention.

“I sent some information and in fairness it is normally a 30 second video but he ad libbed and added more to himself about the importance of the outdoors for mental health so he went all for it which was brilliant."

The Ashbourne resident hopes the video will gain the fundraising campaign to aid legal costs more attention.

“We are up to €19,500 which is amazing and we are now trying to get support directly from local businesses.

“We have posters we would be grateful if they would put up in their premises and we are also asking them to support us with a donation that would be much appreciated.

“We know businesses are under pressure it’s tough for everyone at moment so if they can’t give a cash donation if they could donate a prize for a raffle that’s another option.”

This follows the generous gesture from little girl living in the estate who donated her communion money to the fundraising campaign so that her and little brother 'can have somewhere to play.'

Big-hearted Charleigh Kavanagh (8) made the selfless gesture to help with the plight of her estate.

For further information, see Millbourne Residents Association on Facebook.