Derek Fowlds, a renowned character actor, rose to prominence on television as the esteemed "Mr. Derek", serving as the trusted sidekick to the beloved children's puppet Basil Brush, succeeding Rodney Bewes in this iconic role.
Fowlds then assumed the role of private secretary and political advisor Bernard Woolley, diligently maintaining order and composure in the face of the eccentric and obtuse British Cabinet Minister Jim Hacker (played by Paul Eddington) in the esteemed sitcom Yes Minister, which premiered in 1980.
In his later years, Fowlds portrayed retired police sergeant-turned-pub-proprietor Oscar Blaketon, a character he drew inspiration from a drill instructor, remarking that he simply cut his hair shorter, slicked it back, and shouted a lot to bring Oscar to life.
Prior to his acting career, Fowlds had aspirations to become a professional footballer, but instead, he began acting in school plays as a lighthearted diversion. He later decided to pursue acting more seriously, training at RADA and making his stage debut in a 1961 production of "The Miracle Worker" at London's Wyndham Theatre.
Fowlds continued to work in film and television, appearing in the occasional motion picture, but his true calling was on the small screen, where he effortlessly transitioned between comedy and drama. Early in his career, he even starred in his own short-lived detective series, Take a Pair of Private Eyes, which aired in 1966.
In 2015, Fowlds released his autobiography, "A Part Worth Playing", offering a candid glimpse into his remarkable life and career.
