Buster Merryfield's grandson reveals true cause behind Only Fools and Horses legend's grave damage
Only Fools and Horses legend Buster Merryfield died from a brain tumour aged 78 in June 1999.
Buster Merryfield's grandson insists the Only Fools and Horses legend's grave was not vandalised.
Fans of the BBC sitcom launched a fundraising campaign to fix the headstone that marks the Uncle Albert actor's final resting place, which he shares with his wife Iris, in Verwood Cemetery, Dorset, after a recent photo showed it was cracked and taped up.
But after initial fears that vandals had defaced the black-and-white image of Buster - who died from a brain tumour aged 78 in June 1999 - on the headstone, his grandson Stuart Andrews visited the grave and said that the damage may have been caused by general wear and tear.
In a statement, Stuart said: "Thank you to everyone who has reached out with concern about Buster's grave - it truly means a lot.
"I've been to visit, and I want to reassure you that it has not been vandalised. Over time, the glue holding the plaque and stone has deteriorated, which has caused the plaque to crack and the stone to become loose.
"We're currently in the process of getting everything repaired and restored to its original state.
"I really appreciate everyone's care and concern - thank you for looking out for him."
Fans shared their relief on the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society's Facebook page.
One person penned: "That’s brilliant news that it wasn’t vandalism."
A second user typed: "Thanks - would've hated to hear that someone had vandalised someone's resting place."
And a third supporter wrote: "Glad to hear this is getting fixed up."
According to the Daily Mail, Carrie Lloyd, the town clerk of Verwood Town Council, thinks the damage to Buster's headstone could have been caused by badgers.
She said: "We know it is cracked, but this is down to wear and tear, or it could be animals, like badgers.
"The memorial stone isn't secure in its foundation, so to alert members of the public to the possible danger of it toppling over, we have put up red and white tape.
"We are aware people come to see it and want to make it safe as it's not 100 per cent secure."
Buster's alter ego, Uncle Albert - whose nephews were Derek "Del Boy" (Sir David Jason) and Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) - was introduced on Only Fools and Horses in 1985 as a replacement character for Grandad, following the shock death of Lennard Pearce in 1984.
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.
