GFS member and full-time entertainer, Derek Herbert is a very busy man. Alongside his many appearances at World War II revival events and clubs, he is also starring in a forthcoming motion picture playing one of his favourite characters, Winston Churchill. Derek takes up the story…

SUPERB VENUES

Quite a good deal of my work as Winston Churchill is of a corporate nature that takes me to London and all over the UK. The character of Winston Churchill has taken me to some superb venues for which I am eternally grateful and would tell him so if I could meet him! They include his birthplace Blenheim Palace, Cliveden House, Churchill War Rooms, the Battle of Britain Bunker (Uxbridge), the stunning Chartwell House, his home for many years, and many London hotels frequented by Churchill throughout his life.

FEATURE FILM

I am really excited that I will be appearing in a more substantial role as Churchill in a feature film “Lawrence After Arabia” due for release in May 2020. There is already a trailer which can be viewed at the bottom of this page. The film shoot will be completed by the Summer of 2019 mostly on location in Dorset. As a non-smoker, in one of the TV dramas and on the film set of “Lawrence After Arabia”, I did have to smoke one of my large Churchill cigars, I didn’t quite turn green but had to be sure that I didn’t cough or splutter!

MEETING THE FAMILY

Recently, I was honoured to address members and guests of the International Churchill Centre about my work as Winston Churchill at a conference in London. It was a privilege to meet some members of the Churchill family who were very interested in my work. Some years ago, a pair of Churchill’s spectacles were put up for auction by the manufacturer of the Churchill family spectacles. Before the bidding, I had the opportunity to wear the spectacles for publicity purposes. I felt quite emotional and moved to think that I was wearing glasses that he could have worn when making some very important decisions during WW2!

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

When I was booked by a wristwatch company to promote their new watch they chose the Battle of Britain Bunker where the WAAF’s plotted the routes for aircraft during WW2. This is also where Churchill often visited for updates on the movement of the RAF. As part of the promotion, I was asked to relay a few lines that Churchill had done in the very same position overlooking the plotting tables. It was an extremely moving experience. Winston Churchill made many inspiring and thought-provoking speeches during his lifetime especially before and during WW2 extracts of some of which I deliver regularly, including a tribute to ‘The Few’ which is on my website.

VARIOUS EVENTS

In more recent years I am accompanied by my wife, Linda as Clementine Churchill. I work professionally as Winston Churchill at many varied functions and events. One day I may be a “Surprise Special Guest” at a milestone birthday party. Another day I will be opening a wartime show. Many of my engagements allow me to meet veterans from various conflicts. I address military personnel at Battle of Britain dinners as Winston Churchill and, recently, was honoured to attend a dinner at S.H.A.P.E (NATO HQ) in Belgium. Linda and I hope to return again as “The Churchills” in 2019.

CHARITY FUND RAISING

Other engagements for 2019 include a return for Liberation Day celebrations on Guernsey. I also launch and promote new products, make presentations, work as Auctioneer and even performed as Master of Ceremonies for a wedding at Chartwell House. My keen involvement in charity fund-raising led me to be booked as Auctioneer in the guise of Winston Churchill at a charity ball at Pinewood Studios! The auction raised over £20,000. So, I will work in almost any situation as Winston Churchill as long as Churchill’s character is respected….and I get paid!! APPEARING FOR THE BBC In the past few years, I have been fortunate to appear in a small speaking role as Winston Churchill in BBC dramas “Hustle” - currently being repeated and “Close to the Enemy”, a Stephen Poliakoff drama. Later this year, I will appear as an ageing Winston Churchill in another Stephen Poliakoff drama. This has yet to be officially announced, for which I spent over five hours in make-up for two days! Derek also features tribute acts as Tommy Cooper and of course as George Formby and recently had a small part playing Winston Churchill in the Stephen Poliakoff drama “Summer Of Rockets. Derek also in his “spare time”, appears at many GFS conventions and GFS branches.