Derek Fowlds on Peter Cushing, Yes Minister, Heartbeat and More

PRODUCTION DIARY #4: This week's DIARY features the first part of an informal interview with the wonderful Derek Fowlds, who reminisced about working with Peter Cushing, as well as many other great names, including Robert Morley, Alistair Sim, Alec Guinness, Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington.
It was an honour to spend an afternoon with the Derek, known to viewers as Mr. Derek from the BBC's Basil Brush, Bernard Woolley, the perfect foil for Sir Humphrey and Jim Hacker, and more recently Oscar Blaketon, who he played for 18 years in ITV's Heartbeat.
Derek starred opposite Peter Cushing in Hammer Films' 1967 gothic shocker, Frankenstein Created Woman and has affectionate memories of the six week shoot. He got to know and respect Peter, an admiration that is just as strong today. In December 1986, while Derek was appearing in Yes, Prime Minister, he received a fan letter from Peter. It arrived out of the blue and is an example of the generosity for which Peter has become known and helped cement the affection that Derek holds for him.
The second part of Derek's interview, where he talks more about his career will feature in a future edition of our PRODUCTION DIARY.
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[@stephenaddison2919]

R.I.P Derek Fowlds, another Legend gone but will not be forgotten.

[@brianfarrell3987]

Wonderful actor. What I used to love about his presence in YM was how he had to sit for minutes on end stuck between the sparring Hawthorne and Eddington, saying nothing, yet employing fantastically understated physical acting. And then the brilliant 'bombs'. "you can't bite the bullet while gritting your teeth..." etc

[@chrish3182]

so sad that Derek has gone i loved him in Heartbeat R.I.P

[@lindagillies5689]

Peter Cushing replied to every letter I wrote to him and I have 5 in all, each with his wonderful unique signature. Such a sweet man, we will never see his like again.

[@Yahatacooky]

Fantastic actor, he will be sorely missed!

[@JohnWick-nn1sh]

sorely missed！

[@jameskelly1344]

Thank You Derek for the fabulous Oscar Blaketon you will never be forgotten RIP

[@Andione.]

Fantastic actor. Gone but will never be forgotten. The stars spell out your name Derek. Rest in peace sir.

[@gregbolitho9775]

Derek Fowlds, a favorite actor, from Basil Brush to Yes Prime Minister. RIP m8 thanks for all your work!

[@FreeSpeech1212]

RIP Derek, a great actor and nice person.

[@jrs4516]

he's so very much like bernard and not at all like blaketon. thanks for the memories derek.

[@josephmullin5845]

True. Even his accent is different.

[@Lee-sz6ll]

Respect for such a fine brave gentleman. Class all the way till the end.

[@kieran-rn1ht]

Rip derek fowlds so sad your gone rest peace 😢😢😢😢😢

[@ianrichardson8990]

As charming and unassuming and down-to-earth as I always suspected he was. What a lovely, lovely man. It's fifty years since I first saw him on TV. National treasure is such an overused expression, because it's usually unmerited. Not in this case.

[@lindakristinekjlibraten757]

Indeed!

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

You're absolutely right. Derek was wonderful to meet. He is great to interview, so full of stores, which he tells brilliantly. We're so glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your comment.

[@lindakristinekjlibraten757]

@@RABBITANDSNAIL Will there be more interviews with him? As a Norwegian I would love to hear more about Heartbeat. I was to Aidensfield in October, stayed there for 12 days. It was a lovely time. And yes I'm dying to go back. For a longer time if possible!

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

Hi Linda. I interviewed Derek for a documentary we are making on the life of Peter Cushing. Derek appeared with Peter in Hammer Films 'Frankenstein Created Woman.' We will be including his interview in the documentary. I also have another clip which we'll put out on You Tube around Christmas. Our website has a little more information on the documentary: rabbitandsnail.com/ Thank you for your interest. Best wishes, Richard.

[@TabassumTahminaShaguftaHussein]

RIP . The last Musketeer has left. I remember watching this series without understanding in black and white TV. I used to enjoy the laughter. When I grew up, I understood. And still I watch it. Three great actors will be greatly missed. None can replace them.

[@clockgarae]

Worked with Derek on one episode of Heartbeat.: It was a great privilege. A real gentleman

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

He was a joy to be with and a joy to work with. No one had a bad word to say about him.

[@christopherjones2884]

Loved him in heart beat. He was a wonderful legend of British screen. He was my top 10 favourite actors.

[@jnuttso1]

we need to have more interviews with people like derek fowlds to here there great stories before its to late this was wonderful look forward to part two

[@RABBITANDSNAIL]

Derek was a wonderful person to interview, so many stories, which he tells really well. We're glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks.

[@jnuttso1]

yes really enjoyed it its good to know that people like yourself are interviewing people like Derek so the likes of myself and others can enjoy your videos thank you

[@michaelgrace1298]

There's a good interview on KZbin with Glyn Edwards just chatting in the pub

[@andrewajjones122]

Absolutely 100% agree....👍🏽

[@darrencarr9176]

Met Derek on location in Yorkshire what a delightful man and a great British actor 👏

[@waty67]

Rest In Peace Mr Derek,will be sadly missed.

[@adamhellings3757]

Thank you for Heartbeat

[@andrewmacdonald4833]

Great British character actor....and I think the last major cast member of Yes Minister...

[@RYN988]

RIP. What a wonderful person and great actor.

[@MariusRiley]

: 17 January 2020. RIP, sir. Thank you for everything. You were wonderful.

[@162sam]

Rest easy Derek, a true gent! Sadly missed, xx

[@jacobitejake]

Derek made my childhood a pleasure, not to mention Basil, boom boom! If only we could get hold of the old classic series :(

[@warplanner8852]

So sad how we age. Derek was always the voice of youthful exuberance, constantly delivering his wonderful remarks loaded with so many grains of truth only to be upbraided by Sir Humphrey or Minister Hackar. I miss him terribly!

[@timwatson9532]

This is so sad, when I was a kid I watched yes minister and yes prime minister and I loved it, my fave person was Bernard, lucky they could do an interview with him, all the other cast (Jim hacker and Humphrey) are dead 😭😭😭 But I liked the key episode that made me laugh so much 😂😂😂

[@andicog]

Rest in peace, Thank you for entertaining us for all those years.

[@kevinmarkey5497]

R.I.P. ♥️

[@sehnal139]

TO THIS DAY I STILL WATCHING HEARTBEAT, IT'S SO SIMPLE AND CLOSE TO MY HEART. RIP DEREK. NEVER FORGET YOU.

[@a753951852]

Thank you for this.. This gentleman's career deserves a proper profile.. =)

[@nicfewer8393]

Rest in Peace. Derek was in Jenny Agutter's first movie, East of Sudan in 1964 and they were reunited in two episodes of Heartbeat that Jenny appeared in.

[@stephenreeds3672]

He's obviously a lovely bloke that doesn't take acting too seriously.

[@MrLesliegreen]

Heartbeat was great with him in it and one of the true gentleman. Didn't know just how many great actors he had worked with.

[@levimacdonald5188]

Hi Bernard ! Thank for uploading this gem of an interview -with Derek fowlds (Oscar blaketon) 💖beat

[@njcurmudgeon]

My local PBS station just started showing "Yes Prime Minister" again. Even though I'm an American, I can still appreciate the smartness of the comedy, since I think the foibles of 'government' are the same. It is sad to think they are all gone now. But what a wonderful legacy they all left us.

[@nicholasdavies6264]

I can see in this interview how much Derek loved talking about his past. When you get old you really enjoy it .... sadly missed 👍

[@paulinecodman401]

What a wonderful.man.is sorely missed.x

[@peterohalloran5954]

Derek was magnificent in Heartbeat as the seargent and peter Cushing I remember fondly in the horror movies The Hound of the baskerville comes to mind r I p to both of them

[@steve_o379]

I once saw Derek and the actor who played George Miller in heartbeat back in 2004 in Kirkstall morrisons both wearing baseball caps hoping to keep a low profile. Great actors.

[@lilliansperlingmadsen4662]

Thank you ..from Denmark.

[@jamesjames3525]

Lucky were those that sow this wonderful trio in full flight. You can never forget them.

[@lindavis224]

Lovely man 🥰

[@weeman8911]

I always watch heartbeat am Derek made the show forever in my heart love from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@pranjalsharma8960]

thank you bernard

[@LleshGordon2122]

Fabulous actor to Derek fowlds

[@andrewdown6234]

Derek ....man of the Best Times on TV......STARMAN

[@Ingens_Scherz]

He is such a lovely chap. I wish he was a long lost uncle who I, through chance or fate, somehow connected with in the last act of his very English, utterly professional acting career as I approach my 50s. He is still totally spry and sharp and young, thank goodness - but, let's face it: ageing is a real bugger.

[@JonTheComputerDoctor]

A Gentleman no other words.

[@no288]

RIP Derek Fowlds

[@micky_mc_mullet1992]

RIP MATE

[@keithf_]

Frankenstein Created Woman is a gem of a Hammer film

[@johnparry5742]

R.I.P. Derek.

[@meirwise1107]

RIP Sweet man.

[@piscesk9595]

Rip

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Yes you did oooh greengrass

[@limarshall6140]

RIP Bernard

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

Where is the whole interview please

[@castrolgtx5064]

Still in shock how much Derek has aged

[@andrewgood4230]

He often played younger than his actual age, but time has caught him as it always does. He still has great stories to tell and words of wisdom to share, and long may it continue!

[@herude1967]

Good interviewer, don't interrupt all the time.

[@joycegibbs5267]

it sounds strange, but we just don't have, (and never will now), the talent in writing, character, professionalism & just standards in general etc.. so it's probably fitting that these legends aren't here anymore. It just means the future is bleak when it comes to watchable "entertainment" for us that were bought up on it !!!

[@lindakristinekjlibraten757]

Where is the rest?

[@Class158]

"WHADDA YOU WANT GREENGRASSSSS?!"

[@alexlazebat839]

he said for 12 years got that mixed up a bit cause paul eddingtion died in 1995 and heartbeat ended in 2010

[@SpeccyMan]

You got it mixed up. Paul Eddington wasn't in Heartbeat!

[@alexlazebat839]

@@SpeccyMan i know that

[@billythedog-309]

But Mr Derek, what about Basil Brush?

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

It's in a different part.

[@nkt1]

He makes Paul Eddington sound rather full of himself. I saw an interview with another actor, I forget who, and they said that they found Eddington was unpleasant to work with. Perhaps his illness affected his mood at that time.

[@josephmullin5845]

Omg Derek fowlds looks so frail there

[@MrMikomi]

Damn he looks so old. And now he's dead. Pffft. RIP.

[@paulwilliams7626]

RIP Derek Fowlds