Jonathan Webster
I went out with Derek a few times for dinner and drinks. A Lovely man who will be missed
Kerry Gardner
I didn’t get to meet Derek when he was working at the theatre in Watford and I was acting in one of Giles Havergal’s productions but he told me he remembered me – and he was very funny about my performance! I would meet with him often when I became an actors’ agent as I […]
Lynn Simmons (neé Buxton)
I have learnt so much about my cousin, Derek, from this “In Memoriam” page. He was a very modest man and so, although my brother Allan and I knew he was a Casting Director, we had no idea of his influence in this field and are very proud of his achievements. Allan and I were […]
Barbara Holmes
Very sad to hear this news and I send my heartfelt condolences to Juanita and the family. I worked as Derek’s assistant at Central TV for about ten years.
Paul Holowaty
So very sorry to hear about Derek’s passing. Derek was an old school Casting Director in the sense that he really loved actors and he actually went to see them in things. The theatre darling was a great love of his. That’s where I had first met him. I was in a play in London […]
Darren Saul
I am very sad at hearing this sad news. I first met Derek at Zenith North, when I was cast in my first regular role on Animal Ark. He introduced me to my favourite restaurant, Le Mercury. In return I spent many afternoons working on trying to get that car of his to work! LoL […]
Elaine Higgins
I met Derek many many years ago through Nigel when I joined his Theatre of Debate company on the Advisory Board. Derek welcomed me immediately and thereafter shared his immense experience of the theatrical and tv world – usually over a glass – or two, or three…. of wine. RIP my dear.
Gary Dunnington
I am very sorry to read about the passing of Derek . I was thinking about him . He cast me a few times over the years . I used to bump into him in Islington a lot and he was always lovely and chipper . My condolences to all his family and friends . […]
Alison Grade
Derek and I knew each other during his time working at Zenith. I was the young, cheeky and ambitious PM on the factual shows and he was Casting Director on The Famous Five. We shared a lot of banter in the office and very much enjoyed a glass or two of white wine of an […]
Ashley Campbell
Dearest Derek, I first met you as a teenager whilst I was a cast member on an Ant and Dec (for Zenith Television) show that you were casting director. We went on to become firm friends. You gave me great support through my professional training at Arts Educational, and you introduced me to my first […]