'Yes Minister' actor Derek Fowlds dies at 82

He is also known as Oscar Blaketon in the ITV police drama "Heartbeat". Fowlds rose to fame as Mr Derek on the "Basil Brush Show", a children's comedy series, from 1969 to 1973

London: English actor Derek Fowlds, best known for his inimitable acting in "Yes Minister" and "Heartbeat" has passed away. He was 82.

Fowlds died at Royal United Hospitals in the city of Bath, in the early hours of Friday morning. He was suffering from pneumonia, according to a report in theguardian.com.

The website quoted Helen Bennett, his personal assistant and friend, as saying: "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."

Fowlds is best known for his role of the Prime Minister's private secretary Bernard Woolley in the BBC satire show "Yes Minister". He essayed the role from 1980 to 1984, and also returned as Woolley in the sequel "Yes Prime Minister".

He is also known as Oscar Blaketon in the ITV police drama "Heartbeat". Fowlds rose to fame as Mr Derek on the "Basil Brush Show", a children's comedy series, from 1969 to 1973.

Paying tribute, Basil Brush wrote on Twitter: "I don't know what to say, I'm so desperately sad. such times we had, rest in peace Mr Derek, my best friend forever #DerekFowlds #BasilBrushshow."

Fowlds was born in Wandsworth, London, and he started out as an actor on stage, at Prince of Wales theatre in the Welsh town of Colwyn Bay in 1958, while on summer vacation from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, theguardian.com added.

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