AN ACTOR who graced the stage alongside Kenneth Brannagh has died.

Tributes have been paid to Derek Crewe, of Llay, Wrexham, who enjoyed a long and colourful career on stage and screen.

He died, aged 65, at Wrexham Maelor Hospital after a short illness.

His good friend Vic Tyler-Jones, of Llay Local History Group and Llay Miners’ Heritage Centre, remembers Derek as a born entertainer who was “very friendly, patriotic and always getting into trouble”.

Their fathers had worked together in the ambulance room of Llay Main colliery in the 1940s and 1950s but the pair first met at Grove Park Grammar School.

They became firm friends and formed a music group which toured the community and played for the elderly.

Vic said: “Derek was always musical. He could have become a professional singer and guitarist, he was so talented.

“He was so friendly and loved to make people laugh and was always in trouble for it – he’d often get caught impersonating teachers.”

Vic said that Derek, born in 1945, went on to form a group called Roy and the Renegades which enjoyed some success in the 60s and played at Wrexham’s Memorial Hall as well as Beatles haunts such as The Iron Door in Liverpool.

But he decided he wanted to be an actor and went on to study at the Northern School of Speech and Drama in Manchester where, Vic proudly revealed, he was top of the class.

Vic added: “The day after he finished school he launched his acting career and tried his hand at everything from Shakespeare to TV adverts.

“I think his highlight was acting alongside Kenneth Brannagh in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Henry V at Stratford in 1984.

“But he also became quite well known for one or two TV adverts including one for Trebor Extra Strong Mints.”

Derek also won speaking parts in Doctor Who in the Peter Davidson era and 70s children’s sci-fi classic The Tomorrow People.

Vic said: “Although his work took him all over the country he never forgot his family home on First Avenue and his friends in Llay who he visited regularly.

“He always maintained a strong connection.”

Cole Kitchenn Personal Management Ltd, who represented Mr Crewe, said on their website: “We are very sad to announce that on May 16 Derek Crewe passed away.

“His career spanned five decades with his many TV appearances including Grass, Holby City, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, The Citadel, All Creatures Great and Small, Doctor Who, Z Cars, Great Expectations and The Tomorrow People.

“His film work included Daisies In December with Joss Ackland and Jean Simmons and his theatre career began with the Royal Shakespeare Company and he last appeared at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury.”

Derek leaves sister Pauline Challender who now lives in London.

A memorial service for Derek will be held at Pentrebychan crematorium tomorrow at 2pm.