21 godzin temu
George And Mildred star Norman Eshley has died at the age of 80, his agent has confirmed. The beloved actor and writer had been living with cancer and passed away on August 2 at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
His wife Rachel Eshley was by his side during his final moments. Agent Thomas Bowington described Eshley as "a warm, kind and grounded man with a great voice that I will miss not hearing over the phone again".
Wife pays touching tribute
Rachel Eshley paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, saying their time together "wasn't long enough". She described him as both her husband and best friend, adding that her "heart will always be with him".
Born in Bristol on May 30, 1945, Eshley was educated at Bristol Grammar School before training at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He began his career performing in Shakespearian plays and later moved on to West End productions.
Early television and film work
Eshley made his film debut in Orson Welles' 1968 drama The Immortal Story. His television career included appearances in Canterbury Tales, an adaptation of Chaucer's famous stories, and Warship, which followed life in the Royal Navy aboard fictional ship HMS Hero.
However, he became best known for his role as snobbish neighbour Jeffrey Fourmile in the popular ITV sitcom George And Mildred. He starred opposite Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce in the beloved comedy series.
Literary pursuits in later years
In his later years, Eshley turned his attention to writing. He co-authored a sequel to Charles Dickens' classic Oliver Twist, called The Dreamtime Of The Artful Dodger, which reimagined the character's life after his transportation to Australia.
The actor's death marks the end of a distinguished career that spanned theatre, television and literature, leaving behind a legacy that entertained audiences for decades.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
