CineScope
Derek Thompson picture

Derek Thompson

Acting
Known For

77 Years Old

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.

Born

Belfast, Northern Ireland on 4th April 1948

All Credits

Holby City Image
Holby City
Charlie Fairhead
Brookside Image
Brookside
The Gentle Touch Image
The Gentle Touch
Detective Sergeant Jimmy Fenton
Vera Image
Vera
Gordon Spencer
Minder Image
Minder
Harry
Casualty Image
Casualty
Charlie Fairhead
Bergerac Image
Bergerac
Wyatt
Harry's Game Image
Harry's Game
Billy Downes
Blue Lights Image
Blue Lights
Robin Graham
Holby Blue Image
Holby Blue
Charlie Fairhead
Rock Follies Image
Rock Follies
The Long Good Friday Image
The Long Good Friday
Jeff
Yanks Image
Yanks
Ken
Breaking Glass Image
Breaking Glass
Andy
Wild Geese II Image
Wild Geese II
Hourigan
The Price Image
The Price
Frank Crossan
Me! I'm Afraid of Virginia Woolf Image
Me! I'm Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Skinner
Gonks Go Beat Image
Gonks Go Beat
Singer (Derek and Elaine)
Fighting Back Image
Fighting Back
Bruce Curran
A Photograph Image
A Photograph
Chet
Resurrection Man Image
Resurrection Man
Herbie Ferguson
The Price Image
The Price
Frank Crossan
Penny From Heaven Image
Penny From Heaven
Homeless Man
The Danedyke Mystery Image
The Danedyke Mystery
Tom Richards