George Edward Cole was born 22nd April 1925 and was adopted by George and Florence Cole. He left school at 14 to be a butchers boy, wanting to join the Merchant Navy but got the part in a touring musical and his acting career began.
His first film was A Cottage to let in 1941 where he played a long side Alistair Sims. Sims took a liking to George and began mentoring him. They did 15 films together George went to work with Laurence Olivier.
He joined the army during WW11 and was in the Air force as a Radio Operator, when he returned home he started acting in comedies with Sims.
]He took over from David Tomlinson in a radio comedy A life of bliss which he did for 6 series before adapting it to the small screen.
He was Flash Harry in the St Trinian films along side Alistair Sims who played the head mistress and her brother.
He played the lovable rogue Arthur Daley in Minder, and starred in Mid Summer Murders which was his last appearance in 2008. He has recently made a film Road Rage at the age of 90 which is about to be released.
Wiki states that he has done 65 films and TV spanning 8 decades, and 75 years what a wonderful achievement.
I remember him has Flash Harry playing alongside Alistair Sims in St Trinians absolutely loved it. I was one of the long skirted hockey playing hoodlums of course, much more exciting then lying around smoking cigs drinking and wearing make up.
So I will pay my respects by take a trip down memory lane with George a bit of Sweeney, Minder or Blot on the landscape, or a film perhaps. Which ever I decide to dip in to he has left me plenty of choice.
Thank you George
