George Cole OBE was a veteran British film, television and stage actor whose impressive career spanned over 60 years. For many, he will perhaps be best remembered for playing one of the most endearing characters of recent times on British television, "Arthur Daley", the shifty but very likable "business man" in the hit ITV drama series, _"Minder" . He also starred in several stage productions. It is hoped that Cole will not be be remembered simply for portraying "Arthur Daley", but instead for being one of Britain's most enduring actors, one of only a handful of actors who can claim to have had a 60-year career and for being an extremely likable, charismatic man.
Accompanied a pal to an audition but finished up getting the part instead of his pal. That was for the play "Cottage to Let", which led to his appearance in the film, Cottage to Let .
Was taken in (along with his mother) by Alastair Sim and his wife Naomi. Alastair then took over his education and trained him as an actor.
Became a pop star in 1983 when his duet with Dennis Waterman , "What Are We Gonna Get Er Indoors?", reached the number 21 position on the UK chart.
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1992 Queens New Year Honours List for his services to drama.
He was a front runner for the role of Angus Hudson on "Upstairs, Downstairs" .
Joined RAF in 1943 training as a wireless operator at Cardington until it was discovered that his eyesight wasnt good enough. Transferred to Coastal Command H.Q. in Northwood for a year then posted to Germany where he ran the officers mess bar.
He was considered for the roles of Dr. Armstrong and Sir Percy Heseltine in Lifeforce .
He appeared in nine films with Alastair Sim : Cottage to Let , The Happiest Days of Your Life , Lady Godiva Rides Again , Scrooge , Folly to Be Wise (1952) , An Inspector Calls , The Belles of St. Trinians , The Green Man and Blue Murder at St. Trinians .
Along with Michael Ripper , he is one of only two actors to appear in all four of the original "St. Trinians" films: The Belles of St. Trinians , Blue Murder at St. Trinians , The Pure Hell of St. Trinians and The Great St. Trinians Train Robbery .
The "Minder" theme song, "I Could Be So Good for You", was played at his funeral at Reading Crematorium on 13 August 2015, where his co-star Dennis Waterman gave a eulogy and said of the time they worked together on Minder "We laughed all day long, every day".
