George Cole, TV’s Arthur Daley, dies aged 90

ACTOR George Cole, best known as Arthur Daley from Minder, has died aged 90.

His agent issued a statement confirming that Cole had died on Wednesday (August 5) at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, with his wife Penny and son Toby at his side.

Cole’s acting career stretches back to the 1940s, when he appeared in Laurence Olivier’s Henry V, then becoming more familiar as Flash Harry in the St Trinian’s films. 

But it is as the ever-so dodgy yet loveable wheeler-dealer Daley in the ITV comedy-drama Minder, which ran for ten series from 1979 through to 1994, that Cole will most likely be remembered. 

His agent said: “It is with deep regret that I have to announce the sad death of one of our most loved and respected actors.

“George Cole passed away yesterday at the Royal Berkshire Hospital after a short illness.”