Only Fools and Horses fans furious over star Buster Merryfield grave vandalism
Only Fools and Horses fans have launched a campaign to repair Buster Merryfield's damaged headstone in Dorset after it was vandalised.
Only Fools and Horses fans are fundraising to fix star Buster Merryfield's vandalised grave.
The actor - who played Royal Navy veteran Uncle Albert in the BBC sitcom - died from a brain tumour aged 78 in June 1999, and the star's grave, which he shares with wife Iris, in Verwood Cemetery, Dorset, is marked with a headstone that features a picture of his face.
However, visitors to his resting place were shocked to see the picture of Buster cracked and taped up.
The horrific act of vandalism has sparked a restoration mission from viewers who adored watching Buster's wartime storytelling alter ego - whose nephews were Derek "Del Boy" (David Jason) and Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) - on the series from 1985 until 1996.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "They’re devastated about what’s happened to Buster’s grave.
"He’s so well loved, nobody can quite comprehend who would do such a thing.
"It’s even been joked the Germans wouldn’t have touched it, given the only ships Uncle Albert sunk were his own!"
The fundraising effort is being organised by The Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society, and members hope to install a new headstone for Buster and Iris.
One furious fan wrote online: "Love to get my hands on the little s**** who did this."
And another enraged supporter added: "There are some strange people in the world who need to get a life."
Uncle Albert was introduced on Only Fools and Horses in 1985 as a replacement character for Grandad, following the shock death of Lennard Pearce in 1984, and Buster's alter ego was best known for the catchphrase: "During the war..."
Before joining the sitcom, Buster worked as a bank manager, and he also performed in stage shows, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Buster died at Poole General Hospital on June 23, 1999, from a brain tumour, and Iris - who married Buster in 1942 - passed away in November 2002.
They are survived by their daughter, Karen, and grandchildren.
Buster's death meant the demise of Uncle Albert, whose passing was mentioned in the 2001 Christmas special If They Could See Us Now.
The following year's holiday special, titled Strangers on the Shore, saw Del Boy and Rodney scatter Uncle Albert's ashes at sea.
