Tributes have been paid to one of London’s last Pearly Kings, who was the real-life inspiration behind Only Fools and Horses legend Del Boy.
George Major, the Pearly King of Peckham, was crowned more than 65 years ago and dedicated his life to keeping Cockney traditions alive.
He was one of just a dozen Pearly Kings and Queens still carrying the torch in his later years.
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George died peacefully on 1 August surrounded by three generations of his family, as reported by Need To Know.
His daughter Janet said the family were “extremely grateful” for the outpouring of love, kindness and memories following his death.
She said: “It’s with heavy hearts that we have to share the passing of our Dad, Brother, Uncle, Grandad, Great Grandad and known to most as the Pearly King of Peckham.
“He passed away peacefully with three generations of his family beside him, so that brings us some comfort.
“He is, and will be sorely missed by all who loved and knew him. He made such a big impression on anyone he came across.”
George’s colourful life began on the markets of Peckham, south-east London, where he started working at just four years old.
He was crowned Pearly King of Peckham aged 20 and went on to spend more than six decades collecting memorabilia and fighting to preserve Cockney culture.
George once revealed there had previously been more than 400 Pearly Kings and Queens – compared with just a dozen in his later years.
His colourful market-trader antics are said to have helped inspire Del Boy, with George becoming known as “Del Boy the First”.
In one famous stunt, he flogged bottles of “Cockney smog” – milk bottles filled with exhaust fumes – to American tourists.
The wheeze is believed to have inspired the classic “Peckham Spring” episode of Only Fools and Horses, in which Del Boy bottles ordinary tap water and sells it as natural mineral water.
George continued proudly wearing his original pearls into his later years.
He also welcomed visitors six days a week to what he described as the world’s only Cockney museum, which he set up six years ago.
Now his family hope to give him the true Pearly King send-off they say he deserves.
Janet said: “We want to be able to give him a true Pearly King ceremony as he deserves. As you can imagine, this will be quite costly.
“We appreciate any donations, big or small.
“All are welcome to join us in his send-off, once we have set a date.”
His family have pledged to donate any money left over after funeral costs to causes traditionally supported by the Pearlies, including The Childhood Trust and London borough food banks.
Janet added: “We really appreciate and are grateful for all of you.
“And we really hope to see you all for the celebration of a life well lived by a man well loved.
“Up the apples and pears to the pearly gates where he now rests in peace.”
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