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A Part Worth Playing cover art

A Part Worth Playing

By: Derek Fowlds,Michael Sellers
Narrated by: Derek Fowlds
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Summary

Derek Fowlds is known the world over for his countless appearances in many household favourite television dramas and films. From apprentice printer to armed forces disc jockey, from the West End to Broadway, from the silver screen to worldwide television fame, Derek's career has seen him work alongside some of the greatest names in showbiz.

He worked in films with Alec Guinness, Kenneth More, Dirk Bogarde and Gina Lollobrigida. He shook Sinatra's hand. He appeared on screen or stage with Laurence Harvey, Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig and Benedict Cumberbatch. Then there's also been a note or two with Gary Barlow and Simon le Bon.

A whole generation embraced 'Mr. Derek' when he appeared alongside the outspoken Basil Brush, and a nation laughed at the classic BBC comedy Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister, in which he starred alongside Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne. He played Oscar Blaketon in 18 series of the still hugely popular Heartbeat series.

With his heart resting easily on his sleeve, Derek talks candidly about his personal life, his adoring mother and sister, his two wives, his many lovers and his one true love. It is a story that swings from triumph to bitter disappointment, from glorious, unadulterated joy to appalling tragedy.

©2015 Fantom Publishing (P)2015 Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd/Fantom Publishing

What listeners say about A Part Worth Playing

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Lovely man and his eventful life

Like many people Derek Faulds is Bernard from Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister: two of my favourite programmes. I didn't realize what a varied career he has had and what a colourful love life. It's a delightful listen told in a self-deprecating way by an obviously versatile actor. He's very frank about his life and loves. As with other actor's autobiographies I'm left feeling what a tough and unpredictable life they have and how being an actor is a calling that seems to enable them to put up with uncertainty and a peripatetic life that takes them away from home so much. No wonder their relationships suffer.
Derek narrates his own story which adds a lot to the enjoyment.

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7 people found this helpful

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Very entertaining!

I loved every minute of listening to the well written story and his lovely voice!

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3 people found this helpful

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A good read.

Very enjoyable and made you feel he was speaking just to you. He paints a very good picture and it was so nice to hear how much he loved his family .

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2 people found this helpful

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Great listen!

So glad I decided to try this book. I knew of Derek Fowlds from Yes Minister, but not much more than that. Such an interesting career and very well narrated by the author.

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Fascinating

What a full and rounded life this great actor has lived. Well written and read.

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Enjoyed this book enormously!

Listening to this book, read by Derek personally, brought his life and journey to life.

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Disappointing narration

Surprised at how dreary and flat Mr Derek sounded - surprised he went to RADA. Didn't convey much in the way of happiness telling us how his life unfolded. Seems to have sacrificed much in the way of relationships pursuing his career above everything. Made me think an actors life - having to be chasing and moving with the work - is not an ideal many would envy. And what is fame? A complete nuisance I would think. An interesting though somewhat dull & heavily written tome. Clanked along.

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