Pearly King who inspired Del Boy campaigns to keep Cockney tradition alive
- 4 days ago
One of the last remaining 'Pearly Kings' who was the inspiration behind Del Boy is fighting to keep the Cockney tradition alive - saying there are only around 12 left.
George Major, 86, who was crowned The Pearly King of Peckham more than 65 years ago, said there were once more than 400 like him.
But he says he is now only one of around a dozen left carrying the torch.
He still wears his original pearls with pride to welcome visitors six days a week at the world's only Cockney museum that he set up four years ago.
But he said the younger generation were shying away from the east end Victorian tradition - and it was now in grave danger of dying out for good.
And launching his new campaign to 'save the pearlies' he said it was vital more awareness of its history and meaning was passed down.
George grew up working on the market in the south-London suburb from the age of four and was such a major inspiration behind the classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses he was named “Del Boy the First”.
He recalls being followed at the time by the show's writer John Sullivan while he worked as a costermonger with 'Granddad Fred' and a 'lanky bloke' they called the 'plonker.'
The similarities don't end there - with multiple tales of his exploits being used on the show.
He famously once sold 'Cockney smog' - milk bottles filled with exhaust fumes - to American tourists - that's believed to be the inspiration behind the famous 'Peckham Spring' episode.
He was crowned the Pearly King of Peckham aged 20 - and has been collecting items ever since.
George now spends his days showing visitors around his museum near Epsom, Surrey, and taking his cheerful pearly way to groups, events and nursing homes - but said he was sad schools no longer invited him in for talks.
He said: “In 1930 there were around 400 genuine pearlies but now there are only about a dozen or so of us left.
“The museum helps to keep the Pearly tradition alive by teaching new generations about it.
"I was born a Pearly Prince which comes from my mum's side. My grandfather was the Pearly King of Mile End but when I was a one we moved to Peckham.
"I had always wanted to carry on tradition and have been very concerned about this going back many years
"We are losing our identity and it is incredibly sad how much the numbers have shrunk
"It is my family background and I am determined people will not forget our tradition
"That is why I had a dream - soon after being crowned Pearly King of Peckham aged 20 - of having a Cockney museum to documenting our history. That dream took more than years to become a reality but it was in my brain all that time."
George was already 82 when it opened and he continues to work six days a week showing people around and maintaining the exhibits.
He added: "Everyone who comes here loves it and finds it very educational.
“It’s important for people to learn about history – especially the younger generation – and to see how hard people, especially children, had i
George Major, 86, who was crowned The Pearly King of Peckham more than 65 years ago, said there were once more than 400 like him.
But he says he is now only one of around a dozen left carrying the torch.
He still wears his original pearls with pride to welcome visitors six days a week at the world's only Cockney museum that he set up four years ago.
But he said the younger generation were shying away from the east end Victorian tradition - and it was now in grave danger of dying out for good.
And launching his new campaign to 'save the pearlies' he said it was vital more awareness of its history and meaning was passed down.
George grew up working on the market in the south-London suburb from the age of four and was such a major inspiration behind the classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses he was named “Del Boy the First”.
He recalls being followed at the time by the show's writer John Sullivan while he worked as a costermonger with 'Granddad Fred' and a 'lanky bloke' they called the 'plonker.'
The similarities don't end there - with multiple tales of his exploits being used on the show.
He famously once sold 'Cockney smog' - milk bottles filled with exhaust fumes - to American tourists - that's believed to be the inspiration behind the famous 'Peckham Spring' episode.
He was crowned the Pearly King of Peckham aged 20 - and has been collecting items ever since.
George now spends his days showing visitors around his museum near Epsom, Surrey, and taking his cheerful pearly way to groups, events and nursing homes - but said he was sad schools no longer invited him in for talks.
He said: “In 1930 there were around 400 genuine pearlies but now there are only about a dozen or so of us left.
“The museum helps to keep the Pearly tradition alive by teaching new generations about it.
"I was born a Pearly Prince which comes from my mum's side. My grandfather was the Pearly King of Mile End but when I was a one we moved to Peckham.
"I had always wanted to carry on tradition and have been very concerned about this going back many years
"We are losing our identity and it is incredibly sad how much the numbers have shrunk
"It is my family background and I am determined people will not forget our tradition
"That is why I had a dream - soon after being crowned Pearly King of Peckham aged 20 - of having a Cockney museum to documenting our history. That dream took more than years to become a reality but it was in my brain all that time."
George was already 82 when it opened and he continues to work six days a week showing people around and maintaining the exhibits.
He added: "Everyone who comes here loves it and finds it very educational.
“It’s important for people to learn about history – especially the younger generation – and to see how hard people, especially children, had i