The Court Jester has left the Tavern

No sooner has we doffed our hats at the passing of an eminent Author and Knight than the news came that a favourite old Jester of these parts has followed to keep him company. I suspect though that my Supplier will be ordering a few Command Performances in the very near Eternity.

It is sad to see such a fine and funny fellow depart. He was a 'card' as we say. The fine chap who always  (nearly always) played down his own fine qualities to be the shady guy, the spiv, the almost-crook in films and TV programs. 

Arfur Daley has sold his last second-hand car.

Many's the pint that will be pulled and many a horn will be filled this night, I can tell you. 

George Cole: Star of Minder dies at 90

Actor George Cole, best known for playing Arthur Daley in TV's Minder, has died aged 90.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33803144

Cole played the Cockney wheeler dealer Daley for 16 years, between 1979 and 1994.

Arthur Daley became a TV legend as a small-time crook who was always dreaming of bigger things, with the series regularly drawing in audiences of 17 million.

Cole also played Flash Harry, a remarkably similar character, in four St Trinian's films between 1954-66, starring alongside the likes of Terry Thomas, Joyce Grenfell and Sid James in the boarding school comedies.

He also starred in a number of St Trinian's films as shady businessman Flash Harry.

Agent Derek Webster said Cole had died at the Royal Berkshire hospital following a short illness, surrounded by his family.

Cole played opposite Dennis Waterman's Terry McCann, an affable bodyguard, in ITV's Minder for more than a decade.

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."

Waterman, who sang the Minder theme tune, left the show to be replaced by Gary Webster for the final two series.

Talking to BBC News, Webster called Cole a "comic genius" who "made you realise there's an Arthur Daley in every family".

"He was one of those characters you never thought you are going to be without, both as an actor and a character," he added.

"He was a great guy to work with and a real genuine gentleman."

Arthur Daley became a TV legend as a small-time crook who was always dreaming of bigger things, with the series regularly drawing in audiences of 17 million.

Cole also played Flash Harry, a remarkably similar character, in four St Trinian's films between 1954-66, starring alongside the likes of Terry Thomas, Joyce Grenfell and Sid James in the boarding school comedies.

It also allowed him to work with Alistair Sim, who had become his mentor after taking him into his home at the age of 15 alongside his adoptive mother.

They had such a close relationship that eventually Cole opted to build and live in a house next door to Sim and his wife, continuing to appear in a number of films together.

Cole began acting in the early 1940s, appearing with Lawrence Olivier in The Demi-Paradise, and taking a small role in Olivier's star-studded Henry V.

He joined the war effort in 1944, joining the Royal Air Force, before resuming his acting career when the conflict ended.

He found himself consistently in work, on stage, television film and radio.

As well as the St Trinian's films, he also starred opposite Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Cleopatra, and gothic horror The Vampire Lovers.

Cole was 70 when Minder finished but he still worked regularly, with guest roles in the likes of Midsomer Murders, Heartbeat and New Tricks, which also starred Waterman.

Cole, who was made an OBE in 1992, married his second wife Penny in 1967.

I raise a glass and shall go to the crypt to pray for his soul and that of his travelling companion.

May they both rest in Peace.

Pax