John Challis blog: A Beatles film and Corrie; I've not always been Boycie

It sometimes feels as though I've spent my life Being Boycie, the dodgy used car salesman who became a star of Only Fools and Horses. I signed up for OFAH back in the eighties and it feels as though I've never left. The 1996 episode Time On Our Hands still holds the record for the highest sitcom audience. It attracted more than 24.3 million viewers: imagine that, more than a third of the UK's population tuning in to watch. It was voted Britain's Best Sitcom by the BBC. There were Baftas, National TV Awards, Royal TV Society Awards: OFAH will never die.

Being Boycie was the name that I gave the first volume of my autobiography. It's also my name on Twitter – you'll find me and my near-20,000 followers @beingboycie. I sit in my living room at Wigmore, on the Shropshire border, near Ludlow, and keep in daily contact with fans from around the world.

Being part of the nation's favourite sitcom was a remarkable experience. And yet, I've done many other things that seem equally remarkable. I played roles in The Sweeney, Doctor Who, Coronation Street – I'll save my story about Bet Lynch for another time – One Foot In The Grave, Open All Hours, Citizen Smith and many, many more.

I've drunk with The Rolling Stones and Oliver Reed, been married four times – happily, my fourth and final wife, Carol, has been with me since 1990 and we're still going strong. From Hilda Ogden to Freddie Flintoff, it feels as though there are few people I've not met.

My encounter with The Beatles was particularly good fun. Back in the 1960s, I was sent up for a part that I could only have dreamed of. The Beatles were venturing into the movies. They'd already produced Help! and A Hard Day's Night and were about to start on their psychedelic masterpiece Magical Mystery Tour.

My agent had found out through her spider's web of contacts that I could play a part on the magical coach trip. I was dispatched from Tin Pan Alley to NEMS House, off Bond Street, to meet three-quarters of the Fab Four. John was lying on the floor, Paul was behind a desk and Ringo was on the arm of my chair.

"We don't really know what we're doing; we haven't got a script yet. Are you any good at making up words?" they asked me. John, Paul and Ringo were charming, self-effacing and funny. At one stage, they asked me whether I liked their music.

"I prefer The Stones," I told them, and John gave a Scouse chuckle. "So do I," he said.

That seemed to seal the deal. As I left, I heard them say: "He's great. Get him."

The demand for Boycie never seems to wane and so in recent times I've hit the road to tour. My new show: Only Fools And Boycie – an Intimate Evening With Actor John Challis, premiered at Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn last year and it was a sell out.

I'm on the road again this spring for a 10-date tour and I'll call in at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on May 25 and at The Public, in West Bromwich, on June 1. I've heard a lot about The Public and its original design. In my long and varied career, it'll be the first time I've ever played in a venue with bright pink windows.

"Boycie...."

Ah, what's that. I think it's Marlene calling.

"Coming dear."

Being Boycie has been a lifetime's work – hope to see you on the road in the next few months.

* Tickets for Only Fools and Boycie in West Bromwich are available at here or on 0121 533 7161 or for Ludlow here or on 01584 878141.