Patrick Murray is battling lung disease.
The ‘Only Fools and Horses’ actor – who played Mickey Pearce in the legendary sitcom – has been receiving treatment for lung condition obstructive pulmonary disease, which has forced him to pull out of a bus trip which would’ve paid tribute to the show’s classic ‘Jolly Boys’ Outing’ episode.
Patrick’s agent Mark Neale told the Daily Star newspaper: "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."
The 61-year-old star is hoping to be well enough to take part in the trip – which will see him travel on an open-top double decker bus with 70 fans from Leysdown-on-Sea in Kent to Margate – in October to raise money for the children’s hospice Demelza.
Patrick said: "Demelza is a local charity and one which everyone involved in this re-creation felt is a great cause."
The ‘Only Fools’ special episode aired on Christmas Day in 1989, and more than 20 million people watched on as the bus exploded before Mickey, Del Boy Trotter (Sir David Jason), Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and their Peckham pals reached Margate.
In April, Patrick was reunited with co-star John Challis – who played Boycie in the show – during an episode of ‘Loose Women’, but they admitted an ‘Only Fools and Horses’ return looks unlikely following the death of creator John Sullivan.
Challis said: "With John no longer with us, it’s a bit difficult for someone else to write it to that standard. It’s his baby."
Patrick Murray battling lung disease
