'Yes Minister' fame Derek Fowlds dies at 82

English actor Derek Fowlds has died at the age of 82. He is best known for playing Bernard Woolley in the British television comedies Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.

Derek Fowlds died at Royal United Hospitals Bath in the early hours of Friday morning after suffering from pneumonia.

He also played sergeant-turned-publican Oscar Blaketon in ITV police drama Heartbeat for 18 years, and was "Mr Derek" on the Basil Brush show in the 70s.

Helen Bennett, his personal assistant and friend of many years, said, "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."