Roger Lloyd-Pack Dead: Sir David Jason Leads Tributes To 'Only Fools And Horses' Star

'Only Fools And Horses' Stars Lead Tributes To Trigger
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Roger Lloyd-Pack's 'Only Fools And Horses' co-stars have led the tributes after his death on Thursday.

The actor, who has died at the age of 69, was known to millions for his role as the sitcom's amiable dimwit Trigger.

Sir David Jason said he was not only a fine actor but "a pleasure to work with", while Nicholas Lyndhurst said he was loved by millions, adding: "I will miss him greatly."

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Roger Lloyd-Pack

Lloyd-Pack, whose other memorable portrayals included another slow-witted role as farmer Owen Newitt in The Vicar Of Dibley, died at his home in London.

His agent, Maureen Vincent, said he had pancreatic cancer and "died at home surrounded by his family".

Lloyd-Pack clocked up appearances in dozens of TV shows such as The Borgias and had a recurring role in BBC series 2Point4 Children as well as many films including a recent appearance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, in addition to being a respected Shakespearean actor.

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Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst

But he will be best known as dopey road-sweeper Trigger in Peckham-based Only Fools, a show which continued to hold a fascination with viewers long after it ended.

Co-star Sir David - who led the cast as Del Boy Trotter in the comedy - 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."

And Lyndhurst, who played Rodney Trotter, said: "I'm so saddened to hear about Roger. He was the most accomplished actor and loved by millions, I will miss him greatly."

John Challis, familiar to viewers as Boycie, said: "I spoke to Roger two days ago. Roger said it was a bit awkward to talk at that particular moment. It is very sad and very distressing.

"My thoughts are with his family. He was a remarkable man and he'll be missed. Roger is irreplaceable. It's a very sorry day."

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

The lofty actor - who appeared regularly at Shakespeare's Globe in central London - acknowledged that the association with Trigger could be frustrating.

In a 2012 interview with the Guardian, he said: "People will never stop shouting 'Trigger!' at me in the street. The other day I jumped some lights on my bike because someone was hollering at me. A police van pulled me over, and when I stopped they also shouted 'Trigger!'. It can be very annoying."

He was also politically active and a prominent campaigner for left-wing causes in London.

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.

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan paid tribute by explaining how Trigger had been an inspiration for one of his own characters.

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."

Shane Allen, the BBC's controller of comedy commissioning, said: "The nation bids a fond and sad farewell to one of the most popular television sitcom actors of his generation.

"Roger Lloyd-Pack enjoyed a long and successful career which spanned everything from the hugely iconic Trigger to roles in Shakespeare at The Globe.

"He will be greatly missed and his work will live on for many years to come. Our thoughts are with his loved ones."

Roger Lloyd-Pack
Roger Lloyd-Pack(01 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack at the Master and Commander after party.Shaun Pattenden/allactiondigital.com (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(02 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack attending the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Opening Night at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(03 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack and his wife Jehane Markham arriving at the opening night of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(04 of23)
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In this image provided Monday Nov. 19, 2012 by Sonia Friedman Productions, Roger Lloyd Pack, as the character Sir Andrew Aguecheek, during a dress rehearsal in "Twelfth Night" at a London theatre, Nov. 1,2012. Mark Rylance's latest London performances are hot tickets, and not just because he is one of Britain's leading Shakespearean actors. It's a chance to see him in two wildly contrasting roles, the scheming usurper dispatching everyone who stands between him and the throne in "Richard III," and the aloof countess Olivia, blindsided by love, in the boisterous comedy "Twelfth Night." (AP Photo/Simon Annand, Sonia Friedman Productions) (credit:AP)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(05 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack and guest arrive at the 'Cantina' press night at The Priceless London Wonderground, on the Southbank, London (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(06 of23)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 21: Emily Lloyd and Roger Lloyd-Pack attend dance company Cantina's London production which features a mix of acrobatics and dance at Jubilee Gardens on May 21, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(07 of23)
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Actor Roger Lloyd-Pack addresses a crowd of several hundred anti-war protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in central London, protesting against Western intervention in Iran and Syria. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(08 of23)
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Roger Lloyd-Pack and Jonathan Pryce attend the opening night after party of La Soiree, at the Roundhouse, Camden, London, 28th November 2011. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(09 of23)
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Roger Lloyd-Pack arriving for the UK premiere of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy, at the BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(10 of23)
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Roger Lloyd-Pack arriving for the UK premiere of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy, at the BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(11 of23)
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Roger Lloyd-Pack arriving for the world premiere of Made in Dagenham at the Odeon Leicester Square, London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(12 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack and guest arriving at the World Premiere of Made In Dagenham, Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square, London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(13 of23)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Actor, Roger Lloyd Pack attends the launch party for the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards 2010 at Cafe de Paris on December 4, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(14 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack appearing at a photocall to promote The Year Of The Flood Event, a book launch and dramatic presentation of her novel taking place at St James's Church in central London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(15 of23)
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(l-r) Roger Lloyd Pack, Lucy Briggs-Owen, Margaret Atwood and Diana Quick appearing at a photocall to promote The Year Of The Flood Event, a book launch and dramatic presentation of her novel taking place at St James's Church in central London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(16 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack appearing at a photocall to promote The Year Of The Flood Event, a book launch and dramatic presentation of her novel taking place at St James's Church in central London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(17 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack at the premiere of Master And Commander in Leicester Square, London. Doug Peters/allactiondigital.com (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(18 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack arriving for the Theatregoers' Choice Awards, held at Planet Hollywood in central London, Wednesday 30 November 2005. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok / PA (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(19 of23)
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PA News 27/10/98 Actor Roger Lloyd Pack collects the award for Most Popular Comedy Programme on behalf of the cast of 'the Vicar of Dibley' at the National Television Awards in the Royal Albert Hall, London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(20 of23)
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Actor Roger Lloyd Pack, who played Trigger in the BBC1 comedy Only Fools and Horses, on stage at a Memorial Concert for murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence at the Forum, in Kentish Town, London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(21 of23)
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PA News 27/10/98 Actor Roger Lloyd Pack arrives at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the National Television Awards. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(22 of23)
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Actor Roger Lloyd-Pack (Trigger from 'Only Fools and Horses') arrives for the Sotheby's Summer Party, hosted by Henry Wyndham and the directors of Sotheby's at the world famous auction house in New Bond Street, London. (credit:PA)
Roger Lloyd-Pack(23 of23)
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Roger Lloyd Pack attends the opening of the Unicorn Theatre on Tooley Street, south London, which is the UK's first purpose built theatre for children, Thursday 1 December 2005. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA. (credit:PA)