star of stage screen, writes his first novel

Over the years, Norman has appeared in such classics as Man About the House, I Claudius, The Sweeney, Secret Army, Thriller, Minder, Return of the Saint, The Bill, Department S, The Professionals, Cadfael, Taggart, Goodnight Sweetheart and One Foot in the Grave.

However, he is still probably best remembered as Jeffrey Fourmile, the pompous neighbour of Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce in the hit sitcom classic George and Mildred which ran from 1976 to 1979 - a film version followed in 1980. Sadly, Yootha Joyce died the same year and plans to make another series were shelved.

Norman, now 77 and living in Tewkesbury with his wife Rachel, has turned to writing and and Norman is now in talks with Netflix to turn it into a six-part TV series. He said, ‘The story started out as a script and then I turned it into a book. I was 76 when I had my first book published, which is wonderful.’ has seen the publication of his first novel, The Dreamtime Of The Artful Dodger. The story, a sequel to the Dickens classic Oliver Twist, tells the adventures of the Artful Dodger after he finds himself being transported to Australia for stealing a silver snuffbox.

The Dreamtime Of The Artful Dodger by Norman Eshley and Elizabeth Revill can be ordered from your local bookshop and is also available to buy from Amazon.

The novel has received excellent reviews