ONLY FOOLS AND Horses actor Nicholas Lyndhurst has said he and his wife are “utterly grief stricken” following the death of their son Archie.

The 19-year-old died following a short illness, according to CBBC.

Archie was best known for playing Ollie Coulton on comedy show So Awkward, which aired on the children’s channel.

Nicholas said in a statement: “Lucy and I are utterly grief stricken and respectfully request privacy.”

Archie is Rodney Trotter star Nicholas’s son with his wife of 21 years, former ballet dancer Lucy Smith. He was born in 2000.

The saddest news of all today.The death of Archie Lyndhurst,just starting out on his chosen career in acting. My heart aches for Nick and Lucy.They could not have loved him more. pic.twitter.com/TkoGB1nxio

— John Challis (@BeingBoycie) October 1, 2020

Archie followed his father into the profession, appearing in Jack Whitehall’s Bad Education series and voicing a character in the video game Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward.

His breakthrough part came in So Awkward.

A statement from CBBC said: “We’re so sorry to have to tell you that Archie Lyndhurst, who so brilliantly played Ollie in So Awkward on CBBC, has very sadly died after a short illness.

“Archie will be hugely missed by all who worked with him, and by all the fans who laughed along with Ollie in the show.”

Cheryl Taylor, head of content for BBC Children’s, said: “All of us at BBC Children’s are devastated to hear the news of Archie’s passing.

“He was such a talented young actor and meant so much to all of those involved in So Awkward as well as to the CBBC audience.

“He will be greatly missed by us all and our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends at this time.”