Born in Stirling, Scotland, Mitchell was a pianist before his World War II military service. During the war, he organised choirs within the forces, and afterwards he formed the George Mitchell Choir for BBC radio. After some success, the name was changed to the George Mitchell Glee Club, and it continued in that form until 1957, when the George Mitchell Minstrels were created. In 1958, the Minstrels, in red make-up which looked black on camera, transferred to television.
The show appeared in a prime-time slot for twenty years, but during the 1970s its popularity declined, partly because of the style of music and partly because of racial awareness, and it was axed by the BBC after several unsuccessful attempts to change the format. It continued on stage till 1992, but Mitchell himself retired to the USA, leaving his son, Rob Mitchell, to lead the ensemble in his place.