Its seventh series aired in 1991 and was followed by sporadic Christmas specials until the show ended in 2003. Recently Passed Away Celebrities and Famous People. The comments below have not been moderated. Jason also recalled being told about the news of Pearce's death while in make-up with Lyndhurst on a Sunday morning. Lennard passed away on December 15, 1984 at the age of 69 in Archway, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Only Fools and Horses (1981), Only Fools and Horses: Christmas Trees (1982) and Only Fools and Horses: Licensed to Drill (1984). This funeral episode suddenly provides an amazing glimpse into the unrivaled ability that John sullivan could deliver combining tears of sadness with tears of laughter. Died on 15 December 1984 after a second heart attack within a fortnight, in London, England. The episode, 'Strained Relations', was deeply moving for viewers, save for a few jokes including one that saw Del tell the gravediggers to shovel soil over the coffin 'gently'. He was an actor, ... Pearce's funeral was several days later; a small and humble affair. Had been ill in 1980, and had considered giving up acting altogether, but in 1981 was offered the part of Grandad in Only Fools and Horses, which shot him to popularity so late in his life. Lennard Pearce was born on February 9, 1915 in Paddington, London, England. Lennard Pearce was born on February 9, 1915 in Paddington, London, England. 'The day's work, obviously, was abandoned. Lennard was 69 years old at the time of death. Pearce didn't have much in the way of family; his landlady and her daughter were the closest people to him, but the cast mourned him like losing a family member. If you see something that doesn't look right on this page, please do inform us using the form below: © 2017 Dead or Kicking / All Rights Reserved. Jason said the team knew Pearce had health issues and was taking tablets for his hypertension, but added: 'The actuality of it - the finality of it - was overwhelming. Since then the show has been turned into a West End musical written by Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan, which is on at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. 23643760, ; Maintained by Jake Cullen (contributor 46936161) Cremated, Location of ashes is unknown. Jason and Lyndhurst, who played brothers Derek 'Del' and Rodney Trotter, can be seen walking together outside Kingston Magistrates' Court in South West London. He said they were filming for a 'daft series four story in which Grandad takes a tumble into a pub's beer cellar and Del and Rodney then join him in pursuing a hefty compensation claim against the brewery, only to discover, when their case is heard, that this is not the first time that Grandad has tried this ruse'. Published: 05:57 EDT, 25 December 2019 | Updated: 11:37 EDT, 25 December 2019. He attended the meeting along with writer John Sullivan amid the assumption 'we were going to talk about calling it a day and about what the exit strategy would be'. Jason said he thought the show was over following Pearce's death, but a meeting was called - led by then BBC comedy chief Gareth Gwenlan - about what to do next. 'He was a fine actor and was much-loved by the viewers and he was adored by the production team and his fellow actors.'. Birthday: February 9, 1915Date of Death: December 15, 1984Age at Death: 69. Career Theatre. He died on December 15, 1984 in Archway, London. Lennard passed away on December 15, 1984 at the age of 69 in Archway, London, England, UK. David Tennant and Olivia Colman are crowned UK's hardest... Del Boy returns! Lennard Pearce, David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, original stars of the BBC series Only Fools and Horses Credit: Hulton Archive Tom Fordy 26 February 2019 • 7:17am Jason was fearful over what was uncharted territory for a TV comedy, but said Sullivan created 'probably his greatest piece of writing for the show' to make it work. 'Neither Nick nor I knew what to say or do with ourselves. A photo from that year shows Del Boy with his wife Raquel (Tessa Peake-Jones) and Rodney with Cassandra (Gwyneth Strong). As we left in silence to go home, as if in some kind of maudlin film, there was a sudden flurry of snow.'. Play it now. What is Your Favorite Top Rated TV Show of the 1980's that ran for multiple seasons and aired more than 25 episodes (aka, 1 to 3 more episodes than a single American 22 to 24 episode TV season at the time). It also memorably saw Del and Rodney drop what they thought was Grandad's trilby into his grave - although the hat actually happens to belong to the vicar. The poignant picture shows Lennard Pearce sat in a wheelchair as Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst filmed a scene for Only Fools and Horses in London in December 1984. However, Sullivan suggested the show could go on if they wrote Grandad's death into the show, gave him a proper funeral scene and marked the exit of his character. Lennard Pearce death quick facts: When did Lennard Pearce die? Lennard's cause of death was heart attack. Lennard Pearce was born on February 9, 1915 and died on December 15, 1984. He landed his most notable TV role during the final years of his life, starring as Grandad Trotter in the popular sitcom Only Fools and Horses from its beginning in September 1981 until his death in December 1984. |  Jason wrote about filming the episode in the last few days of Pearce's life in his 2017 biography Only Fools and Stories. 'I've never seen it before. It's not one that's in the archives of the BBC or Radio Times. Lennard's cause of death was heart attack. He starred in the last years of his life as Grandad in the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, from its beginning in September 1981 until his death in December 1984. Only Fools And Horses first aired on the BBC in 1981 and featured the colourful escapades of market trader Del Boy - played by Sir David Jason - and his less streetwise brother Rodney, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst. Other Works Derek Trotter (played by David Jason), his brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Grandad (Lennard Pearce) pose for a photograph ahead of the 1981 Christmas special. He just shook his head and walked away.'. He died on December 15, 1984 in Archway, London. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. They had been filming the episode 'Hole In One', which saw Grandad fall into a pub's beer cellar, before Del and Rodney try to claim compensation against the brewery. Lennard Pearce (9 February 1915 – 15 December 1984) was an English actor who worked mostly in the theatre, but also appeared in British television programmes. Only Fools And Horses star Sir David Jason... Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Celebrities and Notable People Who Have Had Coronavirus. Pearce, who had suffered problems with his balance and critical hypertension, then suffered a second heart attack three days later and died on December 15 that year. I remember just sitting silently in a chair for a long time, trying to absorb it and failing. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Pearce died during the filming of the fourth series of "Only Fools And Horses" in 1984, and most of the episodes had to be re-shot in 1985, with, View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. Only Fools And Horses first aired on the BBC in 1981, featuring Lyndhurst, Jason and Pearce, He said the show's director Ray Butt stood in the doorway, adding: 'He didn't say anything. 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