70s comedy icon ended up on benefits after horror car | UK News

Norman Eshley shot to fame after starring in the ’70s British sitcom George and Mildred. He was best identified for taking part in snobby neighbour Jeffrey in the hit ITV sequence, starring reverse Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce. It was announced today that Eshley died aged 80 on 2 August following a battle with cancer. His life fully modified when he was concerned in a car accident in Dordogne, France, in 1993. Eshley was 48-years-old when the vehicle he was in collided with a lorry on a slender nation lane. Eshley suffered critical accidents, including a punctured lung, cracked sternum, damaged shoulder blade, and an arm fracture.

Despite being “lucky to survive” the accident, Eshley confessed that he discovered it difficult to secure roles afterwards. He said: “Unless it’s a series, you can’t live on just television. I’ve always needed to go out and work for the RSC and things like that. I suddenly realised that I was not going to work in the theatre any more, and I think I’d also lost my bottle a bit. I tried a play in Nottingham, and I couldn’t remember a line.”

Just 4 months after the crash, Eshley was declared bancrupt at Bristol Crown Court after failing to pay overdue taxes, inflicting him to ended up on benefits.

In 1998, it was reported Eshley’s solicitor put a declare in for £170,000, believing this to be a affordable quantity to compensate him for his loss of earnings until he turned 60.

Guardian Insurance – the company insuring the crashed car – supplied Eshley an interim cost of £12,000, stating that it couldn’t present further compensation until there was more evidence relating to the extent of his accidents and what his incomes potential might need been had the accident not occurred.

The declare was delayed additional because the accident happened in France.

Eshley died at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with his spouse Rachel Spiers by his aspect, his agent Thomas Bowington told PA.

Bowington said: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of our client actor Norman Eshley. A warm, kind and grounded man with a great voice that I will miss not hearing over the phone again.”

Spiers, who married Eshley in 2015, added: “Although our time together wasn’t long enough I shall be ceaselessly grateful for the great occasions we shared. He was my husband and best buddy and my coronary heart will always be with him.”

Eshley had been married twice before. He tied the knot with actress and comic Millicent Martin in 1969, before divorcing her 4 years later. His second marriage to Lynette Braid did not last long as the pair went their separate methods in 1981, just one yr after they walked down the aisle.