Yes Minister and Heartbeat star Derek Fowlds on how he ended up working with Basil Brush!

‘MR DEREK’, as he was known to children brought up on the puppet show Basil Brush, became a household name through his role as Private Secretary Bernard Woolley in Yes Minister.

He was a fixture on Sunday night TV as Sergeant Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat. Derek’s autobiography is called A Part Worth Playing.

What’s the secret of your long career?

I’ve no idea. Probably being in the right place at the right time. Yes, I guess that must be it. It’s simply down to luck.

Do you miss your contemporaries?

I worked with Alec Guinness, Alastair Sim, Dirk Bogarde, loads of great actors, but I’m the only one who’s still here. I do wonder how long I’ve got left to go though.

Is there an actor you wish you’d worked with?

Laurence Olivier. I successfully auditioned for him early in my career but the director he employed said I was too young, so he got another actor called Derek Jacobi. He did all right, didn’t he?

Jacobi’s a knight. Would you fancy an honour?

I don’t have anything. I’d like to have an ‘O’ Level, but no one has even given me that yet.

How did a classical actor end up working with Basil Brush?

I spoke to the producer one day and this fox jumped on my shoulder saying: “Hello Mr Derek.” I thought: “My God.” It was hard work, and I only accepted the second series as I needed the money.

So you didn’t enjoy it?

Not at first, but by series two we had bonded. He then seemed real and magical to me. Basil became my best mate.

What are your memories of Yes Minister?

I watch the repeats and we all look about 12, but it’s still relevant. I’m proud of that series and of the work Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and I did. I think about those two all the time.

Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds in Yes Minister (Allstar/BBC)

What kind of actor are you?

When I get a script I read it over and over to get into character. Actors just love being other people. That’s sad isn’t it? I like being someone else, but I don’t much like being me.

Why? What’s wrong with being Derek Fowlds?

Well, like most actors, I don’t really know who I am. I’m 80 years old next year but in my head I’m still 26.

You have 24 hours left to live. How do you spend it?

I would gather my loved ones around me, take them to a wonderful restaurant, hug and thank them for being part of my life, and tell them all I will see them in the green room in the sky.