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Derek Thompson

Derek Thompson

Birthday: 1948-04-04 | Place of Birth: Belfast, Northern Ireland

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.

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Known For

Acting

Year
Title

Role

2017
Penny From Heaven

as    Homeless Man

1998
Resurrection Man

as    Herbie Ferguson

1986
Fighting Back

as    Bruce Curran

1985
The Price

as    Frank Crossan

1985
The Price

as    Frank Crossan

1985
Wild Geese II

as    Hourigan

1982
Harry's Game

as    Billy Downes

1982
The Long Good Friday

as    Jeff

1980
Breaking Glass

as    Andy

1980
The Gentle Touch

as    Detective Sergeant Jimmy Fenton

1979
Yanks

as    Ken

1979
The Danedyke Mystery

as    Tom Richards

1978
1977
A Photograph

as    Chet

1976
Rock Follies

as    Harry Moon

1965
Gonks Go Beat

as    Singer (Derek and Elaine)

1
Danny Boy

as    Clive

1
The Input Problem

as    Ted