A British man has been charged with murdering his English girlfriend after she was shot dead at their home in rural France.
George Goodayle, 47, is accused of killing his 49-year-old partner, Jayne Nicholson, with a hunting rifle on Sunday evening.
Police entered the property in the village of Les Champs, near Brillac, where they found ‘a lifeless body’ according to the Public Prosecutor’s statement.
Goodayle, a former Dreamboys exotic dancer and model, is said to have gone to the police at 9am on Monday after allegedly shooting her the previous evening.
He is said to have told investigators the shooting was accidental, but prosecutors have charged him with the murder of a spouse using a firearm.
The construction boss has been remanded in custody.
An autopsy carried out at the forensic institute in Poitiers found Ms Nicholson had suffered two gunshot wounds to the upper body, according to the Angoulême prosecutor’s office.
‘The on-site examination by the forensic pathologist confirmed the presence of two ballistic wounds in the victim’s upper body,’ the statement said.
A hunting rifle was recovered from the couple’s home, while the investigation has been handed to gendarmes from the Confolens research brigade.
Angoulême prosecutor Benoît Bernard said: ‘On March 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., a 47-year-old British national, a resident of Brillac since 2016 and with no declared occupation, reported to the Confolens gendarmerie.
‘He confessed to having shot his partner the previous evening with a shotgun.
‘The suspect was taken into custody on suspicion of spousal murder.
‘During his interviews in police custody, the accused suggested the theory of an accidental shooting.’
The pair, both British nationals, had been in a relationship since June 2025.
One neighbour told a local paper: ‘They very often invited the whole neighbourhood over for drinks and a meal. It was a regular party at their place. They seemed very much in love.’
Facebook images show the pair working on their estate, which appears to feature a swimming pool, horse paddock, and outbuildings.
A Google Maps locator also labels a building named Pink Pony Hut – a dine-in and takeaway venue with a menu featuring snacks, small plates, and cocktails.
In a Facebook post shared by Goodayle in October last year, however, it was revealed that the establishment had closed after it was discovered that the property was on protected land.
‘We have looked into finding other solutions with the Maire, but at this time we are all a bit stumped. They are looking at diminishing the protected area, but this could take a long time,’ the message read.
Photos from Ms Nicholson’s Facebook page also show the pair walking through Christmas markets in France together in December last year, as well as the couple driving through a snowy landscape in January.
Social media posts from 2011 suggest Goodayle was a dancer for the well-known strip show, Dreamboys.
In March 2011, he wrote on social media: ‘I’m gorgeous George from the world famous male strip show the Dreamboys.’
He also posted about being in London’s West End and Manchester for the strip show.
In October last year, just months after the pair met, Ms Nicholson took to Facebook to share a loved-up image of the pair as he wished her partner a happy birthday – and referenced his Dreamboys past.
The message read: ‘Id like to wish George Goodayle a big fat happy birthday. This has been the most unexpected summer ever.
‘I was definitely not expecting to meet anyone like you out here. And I’m sure you didn’t expect me. My very own dream boy and that you are.
‘Have an amazing day, I’m sure you will as it’s with me. And I’m looking forward to lots more adventures with you. Love you lots and lots xxxx’.
The Foreign Office told the Daily Mail it is aware of the case and in contact with local authorities.
