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George Cole Funeral: Stars Including Dennis Waterman Pay Their Last Respects As 'Minder' Theme Tune Is Played At Ceremony In Reading

Stars Pay Their Last Respects To 'Minder' Star George Cole
Matt Bagwell
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Stars including Dennis Waterman have gathered at Reading Crematorium to pay their last respects to George Cole, who died last week.

The actor, who died on the 5 August at the age of 90, was best known for his role playing Arthur Daley in the ITV series, ‘Minder’.

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Actors Dennis Waterman (left) and Patrick Malahide were among the first mourners to arrive at the ceremony in Reading

Dennis Waterman, who played Terry alongside George in the long-running show, read an eulogy to the star during the service, which also included the 'Minder' theme tune being played.

The upbeat song 'I Could Be So Good for You' was a Top 10 hit for Dennis in 1980.

Earlier this week, he spoke of his mixed emotions ahead of the funeral during an interview on ‘Good Morning Britain’.

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The service was held at 11.30am at reading Crematorium

“I’m not sure how good I’ll be. I can eulogise about him for weeks but I don’t think they want that.

“It’ll be horrible but a wonderful celebration I think.”

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Speaking after the service, Waterman told the BBC: "He was just the most popular person in showbiz and the nicest and the best.

"He was happiest when he was at home, when he was getting a few winners, and with his family and in his garden."

George Cole (1925-2015)
Minder(01 of18)
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George Cole pictured as Arthur Daley with Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, in a scene from the ITV drama Minder, 26th May 1988. (Photo by A. Cook/Express Newspapers/Getty Images) (credit:A. Cook via Getty Images)
George Cole death(02 of18)
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File photo dated 19/02/85 of Dennis Waterman (left) with actor George Cole, best known for playing used-car salesman Arthur Daley in TV series Minder, as Mr Cole has died aged 90. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
George Cole death(03 of18)
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File photo dated 23/08/87 of David Jason (right) with actor George Cole, best known for playing used-car salesman Arthur Daley in TV series Minder, as Mr Cole has died aged 90. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
Minder(04 of18)
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George Cole pictured as Arthur Daley with Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, in a scene from the ITV drama Minder, 26th May 1988. (Photo by A. Cook/Express Newspapers/Getty Images) (credit:A. Cook via Getty Images)
Minder(05 of18)
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George Cole pictured as Arthur Daley with Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann, in a scene from the ITV drama Minder, 26th May 1988. (Photo by A. Cook/Express Newspapers/Getty Images) (credit:A. Cook via Getty Images)
George Cole death(06 of18)
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File photo dated 12/05/82 of Pamela Stephenson as Mabel and George Cole as Major General during a rehearsal of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance at the Theatre Royal, London. Cole, best known for playing used-car salesman Arthur Daley in TV series Minder, has died aged 90. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
George Cole death(07 of18)
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File photo dated 01/01/68 of actor George Cole, best known for playing used-car salesman Arthur Daley in TV series Minder, who has died aged 90. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
George Cole death(08 of18)
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File photo dated 16/11/85 of actor George Cole, best known for playing used-car salesman Arthur Daley in TV series Minder, has died aged 90. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
Dennis Waterman(09 of18)
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5th February 1985: ITV's Personalities of the Year winners George Cole and Dennis Waterman, stars of the 'Minder' series, with actress Rula Lenska and Penny Cole. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (credit:Keystone via Getty Images)
Television - George Cole - Drugs Awareness Video - London(10 of18)
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Actors Dennis Waterman and George Cole, stars of television's "Minder" warning Chris Routh from Sheffield in London where they are making a three-part video warning youngsters of the dangers associated with illegal drug use. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Television - George Cole - Drugs Awareness Video - London(11 of18)
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Actors Dennis Waterman and George Cole, stars of television's "Minder" warning Chris Routh from Sheffield in London where they are making a three-part video warning youngsters of the dangers associated with illegal drug use. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Television - Minder(12 of18)
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Dennis Waterman (l), playing Terry McCann, and George Cole (r), playing Arthur Daley, film a scene for a new ITV series of 'Minder' in New Bond Street, London (credit:S&G/S&G and Barratts)
Television - Minder - George Cole - TV Times Awards - London(13 of18)
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Minder stars, Dennis Waterman and George Cole with the Editor's Special Award for the programme at the TV Times magazine's awards ceremony. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Television - George Cole - TV and Radio Industries Club Awards - Grosvenor House Hotel, London(14 of18)
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TV "Minder" actors, Dennis Waterman, and George Cole about to receive from her a TV and Radio Industries Club Award at a Celebrity luncheon at Grosvenor House Hotel, London, for the ITV Programme of the Year. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Television - George Cole - Minder - Twickenham Film Studios(15 of18)
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Minder stars George Cole with his wife Penny and Dennis Waterman with girlfriend Rula Lenska at Twickenham Film Studios, London where they are currently making their first Minder movie"Minder on the Orient Express". (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Television - Minder Photocall - George Cole and Gary Webster - London(16 of18)
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Actors George Cole (R) and Gary Webster at a photocall to announce a new series of 'Minder', in which Gary took over the role played by Dennis Waterman. * 21/3/99 Gary Webster is due to marry Wendy Turner, sister of Anthea. (credit:Malcolm Croft/PA Archive)
George Cole death(17 of18)
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File photo dated 19/04/96 of actor George Cole whose funeralwill be held at Reading Crematorium at 11.30am on Thursday. (credit:Martin Keene/PA Wire)
George Cole death(18 of18)
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RETRANSMITTED ADDING INFORMATION IN CAPTION File photo dated 26/03/92 of actor George Cole at Buckingham Palace, London after receiving his OBE, as he has died aged 90. (credit:PA/PA Wire)

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