Actor Norman Eshley, who achieved fame portraying the pompous neighbour Jeffrey Fourmile in the ITV comedy series George and Mildred, has passed away at 80 years old.
The performer died on August 2 at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where he had been battling cancer.
His spouse Rachel Eshley remained at his bedside during his final moments, according to his representative Thomas Bowington, who confirmed the news to PA news agency.
The Bristol-born performer became a household name through his portrayal of the pretentious Jeffrey Fourmile in the much-loved 1970s sitcom, where he appeared alongside Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce.
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The programme followed a middle-aged couple adjusting to their new life in an upmarket Hampton Wick estate, with Eshley’s character frequently clashing with his new neighbours.
Mr Bowington expressed his sorrow, stating: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of our client actor Norman Eshley.”
He described the late actor as “a warm, kind and grounded man with a great voice that I will miss not hearing over the phone again.”
Rachel Eshley shared an emotional tribute to her late husband, saying: “Although our time together wasn’t long enough I will be forever grateful for the wonderful times we shared.
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“He was my husband and best friend and my heart will always be with him.”
Tributes from fans also flooded in on social media. “So sad to hear of the passing of George & Mildred Star: Norman Eshley. He was amazing as Mr Fourmile as well as New Tricks, Cadfael as well as many others. RIP to a great actor,” one fan typed on X.
A second echoed: “So shocked to hear that Norman Eshely has passed away… I took this photo of Norman at the London film fair back in March 2024. My thoughts are with Rachel and his family and close friends who knew him so well xxx.”
Born on May 30, 1945 in Bristol, Eshley received his education at Bristol Grammar School before pursuing theatrical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
His professional journey commenced with performances in Shakespearean productions, which led to successful runs in West End theatres.
The actor’s screen career began with his appearance in Orson Welles’s 1968 dramatic film The Immortal Story.
Television opportunities followed, including roles in Canterbury Tales, a series based on Chaucer’s literary works, and Warship, which depicted Royal Navy life aboard the fictional vessel HMS Hero.
These varied performances across stage and screen established Eshley as a versatile performer before he landed the role that would define his career in the public consciousness.
Despite his diverse portfolio, Eshley remained most recognised for his portrayal of the snobbish Jeffrey Fourmile in George and Mildred, which ran for five series and spawned a 1980 film adaptation.
The character’s concerns about property values and his disdain for his new neighbours created memorable comedic tension throughout the programme’s run.
Following his television success, Eshley redirected his creative energies towards literary pursuits.
He co-wrote The Dreamtime of the Artful Dodger, an imaginative continuation of Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist that explored the famous pickpocket’s life following his deportation to Australia.
This transition from acting to authorship demonstrated his versatility as an artist, allowing him to reimagine one of literature’s most recognisable characters for contemporary audiences.