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A Part Worth Playing: My autobiography
Derek Fowlds is known the world over for his countless appearances in many household favourite television dramas and films.
From apprentice printer to armed forces disc jockey, from the West End to Broadway, from the silver screen to worldwide television fame, Derek’s career has seen him work alongside some of the greatest names in showbiz.
He worked in films with Alec Guinness, Kenneth More, Dirk Bogarde and Gina Lollobrigida. He shook Sinatra's hand. He appeared on screen or stage with Laurence Harvey, Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig and Benedict Cumberbatch. Then there’s also been a note or two with Gary Barlow and Simon le Bon.
A whole generation embraced “Mr Derek” when he appeared alongside the outspoken Basil Brush, and a nation laughed at the classic BBC comedy Yes Minister, in which he starred alongside Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne. He played Oscar Blaketon in eighteen series of the still hugely popular Heartbeat series.
With his heart resting easily on his sleeve Derek talks candidly about his personal life, his adoring mother and sister, his two wives, his many lovers and his one true love. It is a story that swings from triumph to bitter disappointment, from glorious unadulterated joy to appalling tragedy.
From apprentice printer to armed forces disc jockey, from the West End to Broadway, from the silver screen to worldwide television fame, Derek’s career has seen him work alongside some of the greatest names in showbiz.
He worked in films with Alec Guinness, Kenneth More, Dirk Bogarde and Gina Lollobrigida. He shook Sinatra's hand. He appeared on screen or stage with Laurence Harvey, Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig and Benedict Cumberbatch. Then there’s also been a note or two with Gary Barlow and Simon le Bon.
A whole generation embraced “Mr Derek” when he appeared alongside the outspoken Basil Brush, and a nation laughed at the classic BBC comedy Yes Minister, in which he starred alongside Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne. He played Oscar Blaketon in eighteen series of the still hugely popular Heartbeat series.
With his heart resting easily on his sleeve Derek talks candidly about his personal life, his adoring mother and sister, his two wives, his many lovers and his one true love. It is a story that swings from triumph to bitter disappointment, from glorious unadulterated joy to appalling tragedy.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2015
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About the author
Derek Fowlds
11 booksDerek James Fowlds was an English actor. He was best known for his appearances as "Mr Derek" in The Basil Brush Show (1969–1973), as Bernard Woolley in the sitcom Yes Minister (1980–1984) and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister (1986–1988), and as Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat (1992–2010).
[With thanks to Wikipedia]
[With thanks to Wikipedia]
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 27, 2019
Mr Fowlds has lived an actor’s life with all the highs and lows that is expected din that career as well as all the normal elements of life.
The book is organised for the most part chronologically, charting Mr Fowlds career and personal life and the effect each had on the other. As could be expected of a man in this line of work over a long period there are a great deal of anecdotes regarding the good and the famous in “the business”.
Mr Fowlds presents his career with an open eye, not over concentrating on the highs and making clear some of his struggles. Perhaps though the two elements that reader is most hit by are Mr Fowlds obvious pain at the passage of time and the resultant passing of so many counterparts, and the relationships he has had with the women in his life.
Relationships whether by-blood or romantic are a consistent theme throughout.
The book is perhaps missing a decent editor. Several times the reader is hit by repetitive phrasing and construction. This is more an annoyance and minor distraction. It does not ruin the book and the construction is much better in the second half.
This is a recommended book for those wishing to read about a well known face and name who didn’t quite get to the dizzy heights or capture the spotlight or billing that the true star might expect.
An entertaining and interesting read throughout.
The book is organised for the most part chronologically, charting Mr Fowlds career and personal life and the effect each had on the other. As could be expected of a man in this line of work over a long period there are a great deal of anecdotes regarding the good and the famous in “the business”.
Mr Fowlds presents his career with an open eye, not over concentrating on the highs and making clear some of his struggles. Perhaps though the two elements that reader is most hit by are Mr Fowlds obvious pain at the passage of time and the resultant passing of so many counterparts, and the relationships he has had with the women in his life.
Relationships whether by-blood or romantic are a consistent theme throughout.
The book is perhaps missing a decent editor. Several times the reader is hit by repetitive phrasing and construction. This is more an annoyance and minor distraction. It does not ruin the book and the construction is much better in the second half.
This is a recommended book for those wishing to read about a well known face and name who didn’t quite get to the dizzy heights or capture the spotlight or billing that the true star might expect.
An entertaining and interesting read throughout.
September 7, 2018
A steady read of a book from an actor who though has never reached the dizzy heights of stardom has kept a steady run of work as i would say a character actor.leading a very eventful career and private life.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews