Only Fools and Horses actor Patrick Murray has ruled out recreating the Jolly Boys Outing.

Mr Murray, who played wide boy Mickey Pearce in the classic TV comedy, had been due to host a bus trip from Sheppey to Margate last month to celebrate the episode’s 29th anniversary.

But organiser Mark Neale cancelled the £30-a-head jaunt claiming the actor was too ill with the lung complaint chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

He said the day out to Dreamland would be rescheduled for Halloween on Saturday, October 29.

The fund-raising event for Sittingbourne-based Demelza Hospice Care for Children was to have started and finished at The Paradise Club, Leysdown, with a charity auction.

But Mr Murray denied he had been too ill and added he would not take part on the new date.

The actor from Higham said: “It is true I have COPD but I was still up for the trip.

“The first I knew it had been cancelled was when I phoned Mark to check details and he told me the bus had broken down and they hadn’t sold enough tickets.

“It was a real shame because I had wanted to help raise money for Demelza.

“But I won’t be taking part in October. It is supposed to be a summer outing. I just wanted to put the record straight.”

He was diagnosed with COPD two years ago after getting breathless in Benidorm.

He admitted: “I used to be a 20-a-day smoker but gave it up as soon as my daughter was born four years ago. But I guess it had already done damage to my lungs.

“In my day, there were even commercials saying smoking was good for you and people smoked on TV and in films.”

Times Guardian has tried on several occasions to contact Mr Neale but at the time of going to press had been unable to reach him for comment.