Jack Whitehall has shared his devastation at the tragic passing of his friend Archie Lyndhurst, saying he had cared for the comic’s parents during lockdown.
The 19-year-old son of Only Fools and Horses star died after a “short illness” and Bad Education star Jack has paid tribute to Archie.
The 32-year-old comedian has known Archie for a decade, after they met on a film set and formed a close bond.
This was extended to Jack’s family and he has revealed that Archie would bring food and supplies to his dad Michael and mum Hilary while they were in isolation during the national lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Archie’s parents were left “grief-stricken” by their son’s untimely death and Jack paid his own tribute by sharing photos of him with Archie over the past ten years.
He wrote on Instagram : “I write this with an extremely heavy heart.
“Archie Lyndhurst came In to my life nearly ten years ago, playing the young me in a short film I’d written.
“He was brilliant, so talented and funny. An utter joy to work with. So much so that it proved to be the start of a wonderful partnership.”
Jack went on to say how he had cast Archie as a younger version of himself for his BBC comedy.
He continued: “We did a skit at the London Palladium, he played me again in a sketch for my arena tour and special, and when we needed to find an actor to play the young Alfie Wickers in Bad Education it was the easiest piece of casting we ever had to do.
“Every time I worked with Archie he was the same – passionate, generous and pitch perfect, he was loved by everyone on set.”
Jack said that he believed Archie had a bright future ahead of him.
He continued: “I have no doubt he would have had a long and illustrious career and would have continued lighting up the lives of all those who encountered him.
“The enthusiastic and talented boy I met all those years ago had grown into an equally charming young man, during lockdown he would take shopping and groceries to my parents house for them when they couldn’t leave the house, it’s testament to what a wonderful and kind person he was.”
Jack added: “The world has been robbed of a truly special soul. He will never be forgotten, I feel utterly devastated that he is gone but i also feel so blessed to have met him. Goodbye Archie.”
The CBBC actor was discovered at his family home in Fulham, West London, last week in non-suspicious circumstances.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said of Archie’s death: “Police were called at approximately 9.41am on Tuesday, September 22 to a report of a concern for welfare.
“Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. At the scene a man was found unresponsive. He was declared dead at the scene.
“His next of kin are aware. At this stage the death is treated as unexplained but not suspicious. A post-mortem will take place in due course.”
An inquest into Archie’s death will be held next week.