Born:
September 02, 1937
in
London
Best Known For:
Yes, Minister, Yes, Prime Minister and Heartbeat.
Early-life:
Born in London on September 2, 1937, Derek left school at 15 and worked in a factory as an apprentice painter. It was during his national service that he was encouraged to take up acting. He went on to win a scholarship and grant for Rada.
Career:
Fowlds made his stage debut in the West End in The Miracle Worker and continued to win stage work and small roles in films before he became known to millions as Mr Derek in children's series The Basil Brush Show, which ran from 1969 to 1973. His big break came in 1980 when he landed the role of Bernard Woolley in BBC sitcom Yes, Minister and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister. He went on to play Oscar Blaketon in long-running ITV police drama Heartbeat from 1992 until 2010.
Quote:
"I'm still waiting to be discovered."
Trivia:
He married Blue Peter presenter Lesley Judd in 1974. They divorced four years later.