Only Fools and Horses stars we've lost as Mario Ernesto Sanchez dies after 'illness'

is still one of Britain's most loved comedy's decades after it first aired on the back in 1981. Since the nation first set eyes on Del Boy and Rodney, the sitcom - created and written by John Sullivan - has enjoyed seven series. It has also treated fans to 16 specials over the years, the last of which aired in 2003.

The beloved show starred Sir , Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong and many more, but sadly not all the show's stars are still with us today.

In recent years, fans have mourned to , with Mario Ernesto Sánchez the latest to sadly die. Over the years, we have lost a long list of and learned of sad tragedies impacting the lives of the Only Fools and Horses cast.

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Mario Ernesto Sanchez

Mario Ernesto Sánchez. His death followed "long and painful illness" according to his agent.

The actor played a Colombian drug lord in the two-part special titled Miami Twice. The actor also starred in the series Miami Vice as a recurring limo driver.

Actress Verónica Abruza was among those paying tribute following the announcement. She said: "Sad news. Goodbye Mario Ernesto Sánchez. My condolences to his beloved children, family and friends. I will always remember how kind you were upon my arrival in Miami; your attention, your chivalry.

Ron Pember

It was in 2022, with the late actor's grandson, Paul, sharing the news online.

Paying tribute to his 87-year-old grandfather, Paul penned: "'The sadness now is the happiness then. That’s the deal. 11.04.1934 - 08.03.2022 #ronpember #grandad."

Following Paul's heartfelt post where he confirmed his grandfather's death, the official social media account for Only Fools And Horses reposted his tribute and celebrated Ron's life and incredible acting skills.

The Only Fools and Horses account reposted the message, writing: "We are saddened to hear of the news of the death of Ron Pember who played Baz in the series 3 episode, Homesick."

"Our thoughts and warm wishes go to his family and friends."

Ron appeared in Only Fools And Horses in 1983 and took on the role of Baz, the chair of the tenants' association.

Kate Saunders

Actress-turned-novelist Kate Saunders, best known for playing police woman Sandra in a 1982 episode of Only Fools and Horses, passed away at the age of 62.

The actor's grieving sister, Louisa Saunders confirmed the sad news on . "My sister, who we lost last Friday. The warmest, bravest, most generous, and most brilliant woman I will ever know. Heaven knows how we will live without her," wrote Kate's sister.

The official Only Fools and Horses Twitter account also paid tribute to the late actress.

"We are sorry to learn of the passing of Kate Saunders, who played police-woman Sandra in the episode The Long Legs of the Law in 1982.

"In addition to her acting career, Kate was an award-winning novelist, journalist and critic. Our thoughts are with her family."

Kate, an actress, novelist, and journalist joined the National Theatre in 1987 and is famed for playing a police officer called Sandra in The Long Legs of the Law episode of Only Fools and Horses in 1982.

She also starred in Angles, Playhouse, A Family Affair, and Just Good Friends.

Lennard Pearce

Lennard Pearce was one of the original cast members of the hit show, starring as Grandad (Edward Kitchener 'Grandad' Trotter) from the very beginning.

Grandad was rarely seen out of his armchair in front of his TV sets but he was treated as a butler by Del Boy and Rodney.

Unfortunately, the through filming the fourth series in 1988.

He had a heart attack and died aged 69, leaving the entire cast and crew devastated.

A few years before his death, Lennard was diagnosed with critical hypertension and had a few other health issues.

Lennard began his acting career in the 30s where he had a fruitful career on stage.

Buster Merryfield

Following the tragic death of Lennard, Buster Merryfield joined the show as another member of the Trotter family.

He took on the role of Royal Navy veteran Uncle Albert. Although he didn’t have much acting experience, actor Buster Merryfield was chosen for the part due to his distinctive white beard.

Buster had been an amateur dramatics actor and didn't make it his main profession until he was 57. His character spent a lot of time reminiscing about his wartime experiences.

Buster died in 1999 at the age of 78 as a result of a brain tumour. Uncle Albert's death was then written into the next episode as a tribute.

John Challis

John Challis was best known for his role as Boycie in the BBC comedy. John was in his late 30s when he landed the role of Boycie, with the part initially meant just for one scene before his character became more prominent in the series.

In September 2021, the actor tragically died at the age of 79 The news was confirmed in a statement from his family, with them saying he died 'peacefully in his sleep'.

"It is with heavy hearts that we bring you such sad news," the family statement said. "Our dear friend and yours, John Challis, has died peacefully in his sleep, after a long battle with cancer.

"He will always be loved for being 'Boycie' and leaves a great legacy of work that will continue to bring pleasure and smiles for many years to come."

Roger Lloyd-Pack

Roger Lloyd-Pack took on the role of Colin 'Trigger' Ball for the entire duration of the long-running show. Others may also recognise him as Barry Crouch Sr in .

In 2014, the actor following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away at his home in Kentish Town with his wife and family by his side.

Roger appeared in all 39 episodes of Only Fools and Horses, which was voted Britain’s best sitcom in 2004. He also starred in every episode of The Vicar of Dibley as Owen Newitt, which came third in the same BBC poll.

Co-star John Challis once revealed in public. “He was always trying to live down the Trigger thing because people tended to think he was a bit dim. But, of course, he was exactly the opposite," John said.

Roy Heather

Roy Heather had a small role in the show as café owner Sid, but he was still a fan favourite. Other than Only Fools and Horses, he had parts in the likes of Poirot and My Family.

He also had small roles in Edge of Darkness, The Legacy of Reginald Perrin, Birds of a Feather and The Green Green Grass. He tragically died in 2014 at the age of 79 from an unknown illness.

Kenneth MacDonald

Kenneth MacDonald was the long-suffering and dim-witted landlord, named Mike Fisher, of the Nags Head in the show.

The star unexpectedly died in 2001 when he was 50 years old. He was on holiday with his family in Hawaii when he suffered from a heart attack. On hearing of Kenneth's death, Only Fools And Horses star David Jason said: "It is a terrible shock.

"It is like losing a member of the family because he was one of the warmest, kindest people that I have had the good fortune to meet in my career."

John Sullivan

John Sullivan was the writer for Only Fools and Horses. He also wrote Citizen Smith and Just Good Friends, and Rock & Chips.

He died in 2011 at the age of 64 from viral pneumonia. John Sullivan, who was born in Balham, south London, in 1946, previously revealed his secret was that he wrote about things that he knew.

He once described the character Rodney from Only Fools s a "teeny bit me" because he was also a bit of a "naive dreamer" as a teenager.

And he said Del Boy was a combination of many characters he came across while working in the second-hand car trade in the 1970s.

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