One of the biggest TV stars in history, George Cole aka Arthur Daley from Minder has passed away aged 90.
He also starred in a number of St Trinian’s films as a lovable shady businessman Flash Harry.
George played Arthur Daley from 1979 to 1994 – mostly opposite Dennis Waterman’s Terry McCann, an likable bodyguard, in ITV’s Minder.
The show was an instant hit and was the reason the BBC commissioned “Only Fools And Horses” on their channel.
Minder constantly was #1 in the ratings, with as many as 16.4 million people watching one particular episode on a Saturday night in 1984 – literally over 1/5th of Ireland and the UK combined.
Waterman said he had “the privilege of spending Tuesday afternoon with him and Penny and, although very frail, his wit was as evident as ever.”
“I am so sad to hear of George’s death. His family must be devastated, and I am absolutely certain that anybody who ever knew him, will feel the same.
“I’m so grateful to have been a friend of this wonderful man. We worked together for many years and my boast is that we laughed all day every day.
“He was an amazing man, a wonderful actor and besotted with his family. Farewell old friend.”
George’s agent Derek Webster said that the actor had died at the Royal Berkshire hospital following a short illness, surrounded by his family on Tuesday evening.