Derek Thompson

Personal Info

Known For Actor

Gender Male

Birthday 1948-04-04 (76 years old)

Place of Birth Belfast, Northern Ireland

Also Known As Elain and Derek, Elaine and Derek

Derek Thompson

Biography

Derek Thompson (born 4 April 1948) is a Northern Irish actor, most notable for playing Charlie Fairhead in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty for 37 years, from its first episode in 1986 to his final episode in 2024. In 2017, it was revealed that this role has made Thompson the highest paid actor within the BBC with a salary of £350,000-£399,000 per annum. Following his exit from the show, Thompson joined the cast of hit Northern Irish police drama Blue Lights for its second season. Prior to the lead role in Casualty he starred in several films including The Long Good Friday, TV series such as Harry's Game and The Gentle Touch and several celebrated stints at The National Theatre. As a musician, he was also part of a folk duo with his twin sister Elaine in the 1960s. He married the actress Dee Sadler in 1989, having met her filming an episode of Casualty in 1987. Together they have one son, Charlie. He has another son from his previous marriage to his first wife Christine.

Known For

Actor

2023
Blue Lights

as Robin Graham

2017
Penny From Heaven

as Homeless Man

2007
Holby Blue

as Charlie Fairhead

1999
Holby City

as Charlie Fairhead

1998
Resurrection Man

as Herbie Ferguson

1986
Fighting Back

as Bruce Curran

1986
Casualty

as Charlie Fairhead

1985
Wild Geese II

as Hourigan

1985
The Price

as Frank Crossan

1985
The Price

as Frank Crossan

1982
Harry's Game

as Billy Downes

1981
Bergerac

as Wyatt

1980
1980
The Gentle Touch

as Detective Sergeant Jimmy Fenton

1979
Yanks

as Ken

1979
The Danedyke Mystery

as Tom Richards

1979
Minder

as Harry

1977
A Photograph

as Chet

1965
Gonks Go Beat

as Singer (Derek and Elaine)

Writer

2014