Sadness rocked the British comedy world again this past weekend with the news of the death of John Sullivan, creator/writer of what has long been recognized as Britain’s Best Sitcom of all-time, Only Fools and Horses. Sullivan touched so many lives through his work that he never knew including OFAH, Citizen Smith and Rock & Chips. Those professionally close to Sullivan combined their deep sadness with genuine appreciation for his contribution to the world of comedy. Sir David Jason, who played Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, said he was “devastated” at the loss of his friend. He said: “We have lost our country’s greatest comedy writer but he leaves us a great legacy, the gift of laughter. My thoughts at this time are with his lovely family.”

Nicholas Lyndhurst, who played Del’s brother Rodney, said he was “shocked” and “deeply saddened” and described his friend as “without doubt” Britain’s finest TV writer.

The BBC’s head of comedy Mark Freeland added: “No-one understood what made us laugh and cry better than John Sullivan. He was the Dickens of our generation. Simply the best, most natural, most heartfelt comedy writer of our time.”

John Sullivan describes what inspired him to create what has long been recognized as Britain’s Best Sitcom of all-time, Only Fools and Horses.

Sullivan’s love of the English language was never on display more than through the words he wrote and so aptly read over the years by the likes of Del Boy and Rodney. So much so that no one can argue the lasting impact Sullivan’s words and catchphrases have had on British culture. Peter Jackson of BBC News has put together the 10 most memorable here.

Thanks, John, for the lifetime of laughter and memories.