Thursday 16 January 2014

Sad News Sir David Jason leads the tributes to Trigger as Only Fools And Horses actor Roger Lloyd-Pack dies at 69

Sir David Jason leads the tributes to Trigger as Only Fools And Horses actor Roger Lloyd-Pack dies from pancreatic cancer, aged 69

Actor died at home surrounded by his family
Sir David Jason paid tribute to the 'quiet unassuming actor who was a pleasure to work with'
Nicholas Lyndhurst called him the most accomplished actor and loved by millions, I will miss him greatly
He is survived by his wife Jehane and his four children

PUBLISHED: 12:08, 16 January 2014 | UPDATED: 18:49, 16 January 2014

Roger Lloyd-Pack has died aged 69: The Only Fools And Horses star died of pancreatic cancer on Wednesday night

Only Fools and Horses star Roger Lloyd-Pack has died after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer aged 69, his agent said.

The actor, best known for playing Trigger in the long-running comedy, died at home in London on Wednesday night.

His agent, Maureen Vincent said he had 'died at home surrounded by his family'.

Sir David Jason told of his 'fondness' for his sitcom co-star and described him as a fine actor.

He said: 'I was very saddened to hear of Roger's passing. He was a very quiet, kind and unassuming actor who was a pleasure to work with.

'Although he played the simple soul of Trigger in Only Fools And Horses, he was a very intelligent man and a very fine actor capable of many roles

'I shall remember him with fondness and for all the good times we had together.'

Nicholas Lyndhurst, who played Only Fools character Rodney, also praised Lloyd-Pack.

He said: 'I'm so saddened to hear about Roger. He was the most accomplished actor and loved by millions, I will miss him greatly.

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Tribute: Sir David Jason played tribute to his comic co-star, seen here in one of the show's most memorable scenes, when Del Boy fell through the bar

Much loved show: Lloyd-Pack starred in the show which was loved by all the family

Lloyd-Pack was born into an acting family in north London and his father Charles was a regular in Hammer horror films.

Acting family: Seen here in The Naked Civil Servant in 1975

He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the same time as actors Kenneth Cranham and Richard Wilson.

The accomplished stage actor, made his debut in a Northampton production of The Shoemaker's Holiday by the Elizabethan playwright Thomas Dekker.

Appearing regularly at Shakespeare's Globe in central London, but knew he would always be best known as Trigger.

He said of his much-loved role as the road-sweeper: 'It's both a blessing and a curse.'

'It's extraordinary to me as an actor to find oneself in a sitcom that's been successful and goes on being successful.

'Usually things date, but I can't go anywhere without anyone going on about it.

'I think being an actor has been hard for my children. Although I was at home a lot, particularly when they were young, I think having a famous father is difficult.

'It can be embarrassing and annoying for the kids.'

Lloyd-Pack's daughter Emily shot to fame in the 1987 film Wish You Were Here before stepping back from the celebrity limelight after struggling with health issues.

Roger Lloyd-Pack's classic Only Fools And Horses scene

Reunion: Lloyd-Pack with Only Fools co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst at The Happy Hoofer book launch party in 2011

Trigger gets the wrong idea. Classic Only Fools And Horses

Acting dynasty: Roger with his actress daughter Emily Lloyd in 1996 on the set on In Country

TRIGGER'S FUNNIEST MOMENTS

Denzil: You ever thought of getting married, Trig?

Trigger: No, I haven't met the right person yet, but I've always had this sort of image of my perfect woman, sort of my dream girl.

Denzil: What's she like?

Roger Lloyd-Pack as Trigger

Trigger: Oh she's nothing to look at, very plain, little scar on her chin where she had a wart removed.

Trigger: You knew my Grandad Arthur, didn't you, Mr Trotter?

Grandad: Yeah, I knew Arthur alright.

Trigger: He was a smashing man, he took care of me when my mum went.

Rodney: Where was your Dad?

Trigger: He died a couple of years before I was born.

Trigger: Problems, Dave?

Rodney: I don't want to talk about it, Trig. You ever been wrongly accused of something?

Trigger: Yeah, once.

Rodney: Yeah, how did you get out of it?

Trigger: Well I didn't - I was guilty.

Rodney: We didn't know the fancy dress had been cancelled.

Trigger: Me neither.

Rodney: You mean that's your costume?

Trigger: Yeah, I came as a chauffeur. I feel a bit stupid now.

Rodney: Yeah, you do stand out.

Del Boy: How long you had that brush now Trigger?

Trigger: Twelve years Del, but it's had seven new handles and ten new heads.

Rodney: Oi Del, why'd they call him Trigger? Does he carry a gun or something?

Del Boy: Nah, it's 'cos he looks like a horse.

Trigger: When we was at school Del was the best at Chemistry. He used to sell home-made fireworks. He even blew up the science lab once.

Denzil: Yes I remember. I was doing detention in there at the time.

Mike: Don't try and be funny with me, Trigger. I'll tell you this much, I've had certificates for my beer.

Trigger: Yeah, I've had a few days off work with it as well!

Del: You're going on your holidays Tuesday, ain't yer?

Trigger: Yeah, I'm Looking forward to that Del. I've been under a bit of pressure lately, what with me Gran in hospital and me [sic] case being adjourned. It'll be nice to get away from it all. I'm gonna live it up a bit. Disco's nightclubs, golden beaches, blue skies.

Rodney: Sounds Great Trig, where'y going?

Trigger: Ireland!

Rodney: You see, it's fossil fuels! People do not realise the damage they're doing to this planet.

Trigger: I don't have none of them in my house, I use gas and oil.

Rodney: Trig, they are fossil fuels!

Trigger: Are they? Well, I'll switch to coal in future!

Lloyd-Pack's first television appearance was in an episode of The Avengers in 1965.

He landed the role of the simple road-sweeper Trigger in Only Fools and Horses in 1981, and appeared in nearly every episode of the series, which ended in 1991, and subsequent Christmas specials, intermittently until 2003.

And later appeared in dozens of films and TV shows including a regular role as farmer Owen Newitt in The Vicar Of Dibley.

He was politically active and a prominent campaigner for left-wing causes in the capital, including campaigning for Ken Livingstone in his failed London Mayoral electoral bid in 2012.

He began his acting career in 1965, and appeared in a number of roles on television in the 1970s including turns in Dixon of Dock Green and Survivors.

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan was among those paying tribute online.

He said: 'Very sad news about Roger Lloyd-Pack. Trigger was an ancestor to Father Dougal and I'm glad I once had a chance to tell him so.'

Yes, Prime Minister actor Clive Merrison tweeted: 'The great and inimitable Roger Lloyd-Pack died last night, Safe journey my friend.(sic)'

Father dearest: Roger pictured with his daughter actress Emily Lloyd in 1987 leaving The Odeon Haymarket, London

Well-received role: Roger played Barty Crouch Sr. in the film adaptation of Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire

Spouse: Roger leaves behind his second wife Jehane Markham who he married in 2000

Close bond: Roger and Emily back in 2012 as they attended the Cantina opening night in Jubilee Gardens

Big sis: Emily (left), her sister, and her father in an early photograph

He remained part of the cast of Fools and Horses until its final episode in 2003.

Only Fools And Horses was due to return for a special one-off episode for Sport Relief in March.

It is believed the script has been written but it is not known if filming has begun. The episode was due to feature Lloyd-Pack.

Another success: Versatile comic actor Roger starred alongside Dawn French in hit show The Vicar Of Dibley

High-achiever: The Prince of Wales met both Roger Lloyd Pack and Charles Dance at a reception for British actors at St James's Palace in 2002

But while he was most recognised for his role as the dopey compadre to Del Boy during his television career he has appeared in such hit shows as Doctor Who, Hustle and The Borgias.

Lloyd Pack starred in several sitcoms, including playing the role of foul-mouthed farmer Owen Newitt in 'The Vicar of Dibley' and he also appeared in two episodes of 'Doctor Who' in 2005.

And on the big screen joined the casts of Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire, Made in Dagenham and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Variety of characters: The much-loved star appeared in The Old Guys as Tom Finnan alongside Clive Swift

Wide-ranging skills: Roger starred in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy back in 2011

Different style: Roger played Billy Stringers in BBC One programme Survivors back in 2010

Smart gent: Roger played a character called Fred in TV programme Party Time back in 1992

Gavin and Stacey star James Corden also paid his respects: 'So sad to hear about the passing on Roger Lloyd Pack. What an incredible actor and person. May he rest in peace. (sic)'

And Danniella Westbrook tweeted: 'Roger Lloyd Pack RIP .. Fantastic actor , a true comedy legend x #Rip (sic)'

Roger was born in Islington, North London in 1944, the son of Ulrike Elizabeth (née Pulay), a travel agent, and Charles Lloyd-Pack, who was also an actor.

Twitter reaction to death of Roger Lloyd-Pack

Following an education at Bedales School in Hampshire, he trained at the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art.

Speaking in 2008 about what he would have done if he hadn’t been an actor, he said: ‘Psychiatrist or a psychoanalyst or something in the psycho world because I’ve always been interested in that...Or I might have been a photographer...I also would have loved to have been a musician.’

He was married twice to first wife Sheila Hughes, the mother of actress Emily. And lived in Kentish Town, north London, with his second wife Jehane Markham, the daughter of the stage and film actor David Markham, with whom he had three sons, Spencer, Hartley and Louis.