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ENGLISH ACTOR DEREK Fowlds, best knowing for playing Bernard Woolley in Yes Minister and Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat, has died at the age of 82.
The actor passed away this morning his family have said.
The actor died at Royal United Hospitals Bath in the early hours of Friday morning after suffering from pneumonia that led to heart failure caused by sepsis.
He was surrounded by his family when he died and is survived by sons Jamie and Jeremy.
Fowlds began as a stage actor before moving to screen in the 1960s. His first professional acting job was appearing in weekly rep at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Colwyn Bay in 1958, while on summer holiday from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
He then found fame with children as Mr Derek on The Basil Brush Show, alongside the glove puppet fox with the catchphrase “boom boom!”, from 1969 to 1973, replacing Rodney Bewes as the presenter.
Later, he came to wider attention from 1980 for his portrayal of private secretary Bernard Woolley in BBC satirical comedy series Yes Minister.
He later appeared as a constant character on ITV’s Heartbeat throughout its 18-year run when he played police sergeant-tuned publican Oscar Blaketon.
Helen Bennett, his personal assistant and friend of many years, told the PA news agency:
He was the most beloved man to everybody who ever met him, he never had a bad word to say about anybody and he was so well respected, adored by everyone. You couldn’t have met a nicer person ever, he was just a wonderful man and I will miss him terribly.
Fowlds released his autobiography A Part Worth Playing in 2015.
- With reporting by Press Association
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I regret to say that it is my duty to inform you of the unfortunate and unexpected passing of a senior member of her magesties governments civil, bureaucratic and administrative staff. I have no need to remind you of their stirling work in the departments of administrative affairs, the reformed department of government administration and the inter-departmental board for the logistical control, purchase and placement of stationary (colloquially known as the pen pushers). This staff member, exemplified the civil services dedication to duty, openness and of course in their specific case punctuality. Never the less and with due haste I must report the passing of the late Bernard Wolley.
@Edmund Murphy: you have little to be at
@John McIvor: in the best tradition of the civil service.
@Edmund Murphy: Wonderful work Sir. Mr Wooley would be most proud.
RIP Derek. Thanks for the laughs.
@John McIvor: the same could be said of you..
@Edmund Murphy: Brilliant
@Edmund Murphy: Well done!
@Edmund Murphy: A very … courageous … position.
@Fachtna Roe: Brilliant!
I regularly watch my yes minister, and, yes prime minister box sets. Possibly the best Christmas present I ever received. Derek Fields R.I.P. Great actor.
@sean de paore: Brilliant show. In taking the piss out of politics it managed to convey what it’s really like. That scene describing why Britain joined the European project is scarily surreal.
Ah, poor Bernard. You gave us great enjoyment. RIP.
Ah god my mam used to love Heartbeat. Always on my box growing up
I still love looking at repeats of Heartbeat, RIP Oscar.
Thanks for all the entertainment.
Mr Derek. Boom Boom.
RIP.
Boom boom.. A true entertainer
Loved Basil Brush in the seventies. BBC 1.
RIP
The sun newspaper readers dont care who runs the country as long she’s got big tits funniest line in yes minister
Ventrice!!
My comments don’t seem to post .. but Anna’s hot photos make it up ..
Yes Minister was ahead of its time! Startling truths in comedy
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