Only Fools and Horses’ Boycie star John Challis reveals secret friendship with Ice-T

Only Fools and Horses’ Boycie star John Challis revealed his secret friendship with Ice-T on Christmas Day.

The actor, 77, took to Twitter to post a festive snap of himself in front of a Xmas tree decorated with Elvis Presley baubles, which he tagged the legendary rapper, real name Tracy Marrow, 61.

John penned: ‘Merry Christmas to you, Coco and Chanel,’ who are Ice-T’s wife, 40, and daughter, four, respectively. 

Hooray: Only Fools and Horses’ Boycie star John Challis revealed his secret friendship with Ice-T on Christmas Day (John pictured as Boycie in 2002) 

To which Ice-T re-tweeted the sweet festive message and added: ‘Merry Christmas John!’  

The interaction sent Twitter into meltdown as fans flocked to comment on the two stars’ very unlikely friendship.

One person joked: ‘Cant wait for Dr Dre to wish Nicholas Lydhurst happy Christmas on here’, Nicholas plays Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses.   

A different user put: ‘Can’t wait for 50 Cent to send seasons greetings to Patricia Routledge,’ who is known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances. 

Pals: The actor, 77, took to Twitter to post a festive snap of himself in front of a Xmas tree decorated with Elvis Presley baubles, which he tagged the legendary rapper, real name Tracy Marrow, 61 (pictured in September)

Pals: The actor, 77, took to Twitter to post a festive snap of himself in front of a Xmas tree decorated with Elvis Presley baubles, which he tagged the legendary rapper, real name Tracy Marrow, 61 (pictured in September) 

Secret friendship: John penned: 'Merry Christmas to you, Coco and Chanel,' who are Ice-T's wife, 40, and daughter, four, respectively, to which the rapper retweeted

Secret friendship: John penned: ‘Merry Christmas to you, Coco and Chanel,’ who are Ice-T’s wife, 40, and daughter, four, respectively, to which the rapper retweeted 

Another follower commented: ‘Really want to know how Ice-T and John Challis know each other… this is brilliant and made my Christmas!’  

While a different account added: ‘Best thing I’ve seen on Twitter all day! I don’t know whether you two know each other, but if you don’t, I highly recommend watching Only Fools & Horses. The man is a British institution & bonafide legend!’ 

Created by writer John Sullivan, the original Only Fools And Horses was launched in 1981 and slowly built into a television juggernaut. One of its Christmas episodes drew more than 24.35 million viewers. 

The popular BBC series won several awards such as six BAFTA Awards, seven British Comedy Awards and three National Television Awards. 

Meltdown: The interaction sent Twitter into meltdown as fans flocked to comment on the two stars' very unlikely friendship

Meltdown: The interaction sent Twitter into meltdown as fans flocked to comment on the two stars’ very unlikely friendship

Iconic: Created by writer John Sullivan, the original Only Fools And Horses was launched in 1981 and slowly built into a television juggernaut. One of its Christmas episodes drew more than 24.35 million viewers (John pictured as Boycie in the 80s)

Iconic: Created by writer John Sullivan, the original Only Fools And Horses was launched in 1981 and slowly built into a television juggernaut. One of its Christmas episodes drew more than 24.35 million viewers (John pictured as Boycie in the 80s)

While Ice-T fronted the band Body Count and has a leading role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutuola, he also had his own reality series with wife Coco called Ice Loves Coco. 

John’s viral snap comes after Only Fools and Horses fans slammed an upcoming convention which is charging £375 per person to meet ‘Del Boy’ actor David Jason. 

The actor, 79, is set to reprise his iconic role as wheeler dealer Del one last time at a three-day event celebrating the series and his career in February – but fans will have to shell out if they want to meet and have a photo with David, and get his autograph.

Organisers The Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society’s website revealed their Gold Package – which includes a photo in the Trotter Flat with Sir David and his autograph on an item of your choice – will set fans back £375. 

Family: Ice-T previously had his own reality series with wife Coco called Ice Loves Coco (pictured with his wife and daughter recently)

Family: Ice-T previously had his own reality series with wife Coco called Ice Loves Coco (pictured with his wife and daughter recently) 

The slightly cheaper Silver package, coming in at £255 offers the same photo op with Sir David but without the autograph – instead fans would get a ‘free in person autograph from each guest actor’ as one of the perks.

The most thrifty option is the £55 Bronze package which includes entry into the Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire event as well as a photo in the flat but not with David Jason.  

It states on the website that ‘Donations from the event will be gifted by the organisers and Sir David Jason to the charity Diabetes UK.

Fans took to social media to slam the ‘totally unfair’ high prices and revealed they would be missing out on the ‘cash cow’ event.

Talented: Ice-T fronted the band Body Count and has a leading role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola (pictured on set in August)

Talented: Ice-T fronted the band Body Count and has a leading role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutuola (pictured on set in August) 

Fury: John's viral snap comes after Only Fools and Horses fans slammed an upcoming convention which is charging £375 per person to meet 'Del Boy' actor David Jason (pictured 2014)

Fury: John’s viral snap comes after Only Fools and Horses fans slammed an upcoming convention which is charging £375 per person to meet ‘Del Boy’ actor David Jason (pictured 2014)

A spokesman for the event told the Daily Star: ‘With the costs involved in delivering such a colossal event, tickets are never going to be cheap.

‘We have structured this so the best possible price is offered to the end user, whilst ensuring the charity greatly benefits from the donations by both the Society and Sir David.’

An updated statement on the site reads: ‘We understand there will be disappointed fans who cannot attend for many reasons but we feel we need to stress that numbers are extremely limited to be more manageable for Sir David on the day. 

‘Subsequently the cost is appreciably more than if we were letting thousands through the door.’

MailOnline has contacted representatives for the event and David Jason for comment.     

Iconic: The actor, 79, is set to reprise his iconic role as wheeler dealer Del (centre) one last time at a three-day event celebrating the series and his career in February - but fans will have to shell out if they want to meet and have a photo with him

Iconic: The actor, 79, is set to reprise his iconic role as wheeler dealer Del (centre) one last time at a three-day event celebrating the series and his career in February – but fans will have to shell out if they want to meet and have a photo with him

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