Derek Barnes CDG
???? ~ 2021
One of Derek's favourite songs
In Memoriam
On Wednesday, the 22nd of December, 2021, we lost the unique individual, brother, friend and colleague; Derek Barnes. Derek passed peacefully in his sleep, a victim of a most aggressive case of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) that was diagnosed in the spring of 2021.
“Why the ???? instead of a date of birth?”, you may ask. Derek was very coy about his age and somewhat playful, he would often tease but never reveal his true age (even to me and I had a copy of his passport!). We thought we should continue the intrigue as a further mark of respect to our friend and brother.
Derek was “a trailblazer”, something that was said to the author of this memorial earlier this year by a fellow Casting Director and friend of Derek. It’s impossible to list all of Derek’s accomplishments in his “112-years in the business”, it’s suffice to say that Derek has launched the careers of countless televison and film stars and major celebrities, a few minutes reading Derek’s IMDb page will reveal some real surprises.
Derek was born in Watford to a working class family (Read more…)