Sir Roger Moore has led tributes to George Cole, who’s died aged 90.
The ‘James Bond’ legend described the TV and film star – best known for his lead role in the British comedy-drama series ‘Minder’ between 1979 and 1994 – as "a lovely actor" and "a gentleman".
He wrote on Twitter: "How sad to hear George Cole has gone to that great cutting room in the sky. A lovely actor. A gentleman."
The British Film Institute expressed its sympathy for George’s family on the social media site, while ‘Little Britain’ comedian Matt Lucas has shared fond memories of being a young ‘Minder’ fan.
He wrote: "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 onscreen!"
Meanwhile, ‘The IT Crowd’ actor Graham Linehan re-tweeted Matt’s homage and said that news of George’s death had come as a shock.
He wrote: "George Cole gone. That hit me harder than I would have thought. I guess Minder occupies a greater place in my memory shack than I knew."
George was a household name throughout the 1980s thanks to his starring role as Arthur Daley in ‘Minder’ and his appearances in four ‘St Trinian’s’ films as businessman Flash Harry alongside the likes of Terry Thomas and Sid James.
He also appeared opposite Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Rex Harrison in the 1963 movie ‘Cleopatra’.
Sir Roger Moore leads tributes to George Cole
