Derek Fowlds

Derek Fowlds (born 2 September 1937) is an English actor, best known for playing Bernard Woolley in popular British television comedies Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, and Oscar Blaketon in the long-running ITV police drama Heartbeat.

Personal life

Fowlds was born in Balham, London, the son of Ketha Muriel (née Treacher) and James Witney Fowlds^[1], a salesman. He attended a Secondary Modern School in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

Fowlds was previously married to actress Adrienne Corri and Blue Peter presenter and dancer Lesley Judd.

Career

After amateur acting, he trained at RADA and made his debut on the West End stage in the The Miracle Worker. He had appeared in minor British films before he became familiar to British television viewers as 'Mr. Derek' in the children's series The Basil Brush Show, replacing Rodney Bewes as presenter. Perhaps his most famous role was that of Bernard Woolley in Yes Minister and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister alongside Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne.

Fowlds also plays Oscar Blaketon in the long running ITV police drama nostalgia series Heartbeat. The character has retired from the police force and turned publican. Prior to this he played the lead role in the sitcom Affairs of the Heart.

Television roles

Comedy

Drama

References

External links

• Derek Fowlds as Oscar Blaketon in 'Heartbeat'