Derek's journey to Albert Square has proved to be an eventful one. A bone fide East Ender Derek grew up during the Blitz in a tight-knit, working-class family. In this candid memoir he describes those tough early days, his stint in the police, life on the wrong side of the law and how he turned his dream of being an actor into a reality. But not before trying his hand as a professional gambler and acting as a runner for the notorious East End gangster Charlie Kray. Determined to be an actor, Derek began his hugely successful stage and screen career firstly as a stuntman, before landing memorable TV roles in series such as Minder and The Governor.