Chez’s shock at Todrick’s Liam ‘taunt’
I heard audience laughter for the first time in my life and I was just knocked out 1982
Cheryl on show
CHERYL Tweedy was left speechless when fellow dance captain Todrick Hall dropped a clanger on The Greatest Dancer about her ex, Liam Payne.
In the programme airing tonight, when Oti Mabuse enthuses about one of the male contestants, Todrick said: “Maybe you could date him after he’s been on the show? That’s been done before!”
Cheryl was a judge on ITV show X Factor when a teenage Liam auditioned in 2008.
They got together in 2015 and had son Bear before splitting in 2018.
Viewers will see Cheryl gasp at Todrick’s comment, then laugh, saying: “I’ll get you back!”
■ The Greatest Dancer is on BBC1 tonight at 6.30pm.
Tribute from old pal Basil on Twitter
tributes to the star, Tricia Penrose, who played Gina Ward in Heartbeat, said she was heartbroken by the loss of her “best friend”.
She added: “RIP you beautiful person you will be sadly missed.”
Born in 1937 in South London, Fowlds trained at Rada. His first professional gig was in weekly rep at Colwyn Bay’s Prince of Wales Theatre in 1958, while on holiday from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Fowlds went on to make his West End debut in The Miracle Worker before appearing in films including Tamahine, East Of Sudan and Hotel Paradiso, and TV series Z Cars and The Liver Birds.
He became a household name on BBC children’s classic The Basil Brush Show from 1969-73 after replacing Rodney Bewes as presenter.
The puppet fox’s Twitter account paid tribute to the actor saying: “I don’t know what to say, I’m so desperately sad.
“Such times we had, rest in peace Mr Derek, my best friend forever.”
After appearing in Crown Court Kiss and Tell with Phyllida Nash in 1977, Fowlds starred in Yes Minister with Sir Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington.
The show, which ran from 1980 to 1984, was followed by Yes, Prime Minister between 1986 and 1988.
And he was an ever-present in Heartleading beat from 1992 to 2010, as Sgt Blaketon, then running the post office and pub after the character left the force.
Helen Bennett, his PA and friend for years, called him “the most beloved man... so well respected, adored by everyone.” She added: “You couldn’t have met a nicer person, ever, he was a wonderful man and I will miss him terribly.”
Gavin and Stacey actor Larry Lamb, who worked with Fowlds on 80s TV series Triangle, said: “Derek was a truly lovely man and a fantastic actor... a real legend.”
Jason Durr, who played policeman Mike Bradley in Heartbeat, said: “Such a great actor and a kind, intelligent man.
“I will treasure the memories of our time working together on Heartbeat.”
Fowlds died at Royal United Hospitals Bath in the early hours of yesterday morning, surrounded by his family.
He had suffered heart failure caused by sepsis after a bout of pneumonia.
He was married twice, first to Wendy Tory then to Blue Peter host Lesley Judd.
He is survived by his two sons, Jamie and actor Jeremy.
DEREK FOWLDS ON MOMENT HE KNEW HE’D FOUND HIS CALLING AS AN ACTOR