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 was shying away from the east-end Victorian tradition - and it was now in grave danger of dying out for good.
Launching his new campaign to 'save the pearlies' he said it was vital more awareness of its history and meaning was passed down.
Meet the Pearly King campaigning to keep the tradition alive
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 the 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 document 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 it back in those days.”
Visitors at the award-winning museum can now take a walk back through time along the cobbled streets of London, starting in Poverty Street before reaching the Flower Ladies in Market Square.
They can then pass the market traders, known as costermongers, before reaching a 19th-century prison, all while listening to traditional cockney songs, such as the Lambeth Walk.
One of the highlights of the museum is King & Queen Street where there is a display of the ‘Pearly Crown Jewels’ as they are known.
The collection of suits and other historic artefacts dates back some 179 years and is the only known collection of its type.
George is hoping that a fresh influx of visitors, especially from the younger generation, will help sustain the museum for the future and keep the history of the pearlies alive.
George said all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all wear the pearls and have been born into it but many 'originals' are not passing it down.
He added: "I worked on the market all my life from the age of four.
"The biggest reason the culture is dying out is all the cockneys have moved out. Only yesterday I was opening a pie and mash shop in Southend and it was full of them. Most have left the east end now.
"Every one of them brings a smile to them. They love what they are seeing and it brings a flood of memories to them.
"Some old people had tears at seeing a pearly again after all these years.
"I go and visit nursing homes and love to meet all the old folk. That is what is all about.
"It is vitally important we keep this museum alive for many reasons. I had children in there - they were over the moon and they loved it - they don't realise how lucky they are.
"People can learn from it and use it to help other people - we are all about helping other people - and have supported all types of charities."
George said he has been wearing the same suit since he was 20 that has 22,000 pearls as buttons - and laments the 'fake culture' that has crept into his heritage.
He said: "There is no modern day pearly king, You get some on the street that are 'self made but it is all about the originals. You are born into it. We do it because of our history not just dressing up. I am concerned that people are abusing the title - that's terrible.
"I used to see the other Pearlies and be with them all the time but I am more of a loner now. They've all been dying off which is such a shame."
He said he spent many years going in giving talks to schools on the history but schools of today "don't want to know about our past."
He also visits nursing homes, clubs and organisations to give talks on the history and perform ceremonial openings.
He added: "My children were told 'when George kicks the bucket so the cockneys will be dead.' It is so sad to hear that. It is very important to keep that flag flying."
For more on The Original Cockney Museum in Stoneleigh, Epsom visit https://www.originalcockneymuseum.co.uk/
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