John Challis' country house was almost destroyed by a fire.

John Challis

John Challis

The 'Only Fools and Horses' star rushed to call 999 after spotting a blaze had broken out at a straw barn near his Wigmore Abbey home in Hertfordshire, south east England, after he heard "bangs and explosions".

He tweeted: "Drama at Wigmore Towers! Massive fire broke out in a barn on the other side of the lane.

"Pottering in the greenhouse when I heard bangs and explosions, looked up and there's flames and smoke (sic)"

Several fire engines turned up at the scene to stop the inferno making its way to Wigmore Abbey - which was used as the set for 'Only Fools' spin-off 'The Green Green Grass' - and John revealed the air was filled with a stench of flamed faeces.

He later wrote: "Fire engines are STILL here 24 hours later keeping an eye on the still-smouldering pile of pooh. Hah! (sic)"

John - who portrayed car dealer Aubrey "Boycie" Boyce in the long-running sitcom - bought the house with his wife Carol in 1998.

Following the end of 'Only Fools', he starred alongside on-screen wife Sue Holderness (Marlene Boyce) in the spin-off from 2005 to 2009.

While his house is situated deep in the countryside, the 76-year-old star still gets inundated with people calling at his door.

On Thursday (24.01.19), he tweeted: "Today has been one of those days. N Power technician to fit a new smart meter.Two Jehovah's witnesses.Two police officers and a Persian carpet seller. Never get out of the bed. (sic)"