ONE OF THE NICEST BLOKES IN THE WORLD
Dennis Waterman pays tribute to his Minder co- star George Cole who has died aged 90
MINDER actor George Cole wanted to be seen on screen in one last film before he died, it was revealed last night.
The workaholic star urged the director of his latest picture to speed up its release so that it would appear in cinemas before it was too late.
Cole, 90, who became a household name as dodgy used car dealer Arthur Daley, was due to appear in Road Rage, a crime-horror movie which is due to be released later this year.
But it was still awaiting a first showing at the time of his death this week following a short illness.
Director Spencer Hawken, 42, said: “The last time I spoke to George was to let him know the movie had been delayed and he said, ‘ Please get a move on, I would like to make another movie before I die’. I am absolutely mortified.”
An adopted Cockney, Cole enjoyed a career spanning 70 years, helped at the start by the comedy star Alastair Sim, who invited him to live with his family while he learned his acting skills.
One of his earliest roles on screen was as Scrooge in 1951. He scored comedy success as Flash Harry in the St Trinian’s films in the 1950s and 60s. But it was as the camel-coated, cigar- chomping spiv Arthur Daley in Minder that his fame peaked in a TV show that ran between 1979 and 1994.
Minder was one of the most popular programmes of the decade, regularly drawing 17.5 million viewers.
It eventually came to an end after 15 years and 107 episodes because Cole, who received the OBE in 1992, wanted to spend more time with his own “’ Er Indoors” – his second wife Penny Morell.
Yesterday Dennis Waterman, 67, who played Arthur’s long- suffering bodyguard Terry McCann, revealed he visited his friend just 24 hours before he died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital on Wednesday with Penny, 77, and his son Toby and daughter Tara at his bedside.
He said: “I popped down on Tuesday afternoon. Penny greeted me at the front door and said, ‘ This is going to come as a shock to you. He’s very, very frail.’
“It was a bit of a shock that he was looking so frail. Penny asked if he would like a drink. He said, ‘ I’d like a bottle of whisky but I know you won’t give me that.’
“I was unbelievably lucky to say I would pop down on Tuesday. He was one of the nicest blokes in the world.”
He added: “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.”
Last night legends of stage and screen queued up to pay tribute to a man revered by his peers as “immaculate” and “unforgettable”. Sir Roger Moore, 87, said: “How sad to hear George Cole has gone to that great cutting room in the sky. A lovely actor. A gentleman.”
Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas, 41, revealed he had once lived in the actor’s old home, saying: “When I found out that George Cole used to live in our flat, I dug out my old Minder poster. I was such a fan of Minder that me and my friend Nick infiltrated the set in 1991 and got ourselves on screen.”
Doctor Who star Mark Gatiss, 48, said: “A fond farewell to the marvellous George Cole. Immaculate as the young Scrooge, joyous as Flash Harry, unforgettable as Arthur Daley. RIP.”
Actress Hannah Waterman, 40, the daughter of Minder co- star Dennis, said: “Devastated. Such a huge part of my child- hood, I loved him. My thoughts are with Penny and the kids.”
Lord Hall, 64, director- general of the BBC, said: “George Cole was a wonderful actor and he has a very special place in the public’s affection. He will be greatly missed.”