Derek Griffiths
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Derek Griffiths (born Woking, July 15, 1946) was a star of numerous children's television programmes in the 1960s to 1980s and more recently has played parts in TV drama. He is fondly remembered by many a generation of ex-children, not least for his remarkable musical talents. Also had work in various comedy television shows and bawdy sex comedies.
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[edit] Children's TV Work
- The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends (1993) as Simpkin
Animated short stories based on the popular book series.
- Various Look and Read stories as Singer, including:
- "Cloud Burst" (1974) as Singer
- "The King's Dragon" (1977) as Singer
- "Sky Hunter" (1978) as Singer
- "Dark Towers" (1981) as Singer
- "Fair Ground!" (1983) as Singer
- "Geordie Racer" (1988) as Singer
- "Through The Dragon's Eye" (1989) as Singer
- SuperTed (1983) as Voice of SuperTed
A series about a poor teddy bear who was broken during manufacture and thrown into a cold, dark store room. Upon being saved by a spotty alien who takes him to his little cloud, he becomes a superhero. He and his spotty friend fight the evil team of Skeleton, Bulk and Texas Pete.
Theme Music for each of the main 5 characters composed by Griffiths.
- Cabbages and Kings (1972)
Historical sketch show for kids with Johnny Ball, Griffiths and Julie Stevens.
- Play Away (1971)
- Play School (1964)
- Heads and Tails
- Film Fun
Classic children's tv shows which Griffiths presented.
[edit] Comedy TV Work
- Porkpie (1995) as Benji
Spinoff of barber-shop sitcom Desmonds, in which the title character, a lollipop man wins the National Lottery jackpot, and moves into a spacious cottage. Griffiths played Benji, who was a former shifty conman, but became the only person that Porkpie was able to trust completely.
- The Funny Side (1985)
Sketch show written by Eddie Braben featuring a weekly incomplete striptease act.
- Terry and June (1985) as The Prince
Genre-defining sitcom in which Griffiths played a visiting Arab prince who stayed in an ordinary domestic British middle-class house.
- Hi! Summer (1977)
- Battle of the Sexes (1976)
A comedy sketch show about the relationships between men and women.
- Don't Drink The Water (1974) as Carlos
Spinoff of On the Buses set in Spain.
- Marty Back Together Again (1974)
4-episode Marty Feldman sketch show with songs by Tom Lehrer.
- The Cobblers of Umbridge (1973) as The People of Umbridge
Spoof of The Archers.
[edit] Other TV Work
- Holby City (2004) as Greg Martin
Hospital Drama in which Griffiths played a man dying of cancer, to whom his wife confesses she has cheated on him.
- Casualty (1999) as Duke Baines
Hospital Drama in which Griffiths played a radiation specialist.
- Don't Ask Me (1974)
Panelist on a show in which celebrities and resident experts answer viewer questions about science.
[edit] Movie Work
- Fierce Creatures (1997) as Garry Ungulates
- Rising Damp (1980) as Alec
Movie based on the TV show, in which Griffiths referees a boxing match, leading to predictable racism from Rigsby.
- Watership Down (1978) as Voice of Sherbil
Animated children's movie in which Griffiths plays an officer efrafan.
- The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977) as Bus Conductor
John Cleese vehicle in which he plays the grandson of Sherlock Holmes, trying to catch the grandson of Moriarty.
- Are You Being Served? (1977) as The Emir
Movie based on the TV show.
- All I Want Is You... and You... and You (1974) as Taxi Driver
- Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! (1973) as Johnny
bawdy sex farce based on a stage play.
- The Alf Garnett Saga (1972) as Rex
Movie spin-off from a TV show.
- Rentadick (1972) as Henson
bawdy sex farce written by John Cleese and Graham Chapman
- Up The Front (1972) as El Puncturo
- Up Pompeii (1971) as Steam Slave
- Up the Chastity Belt (1971) as Saladin
Frankie Howerd's bawdy historical trilogy.
