Dereks journey to Albert Square has proved to be an eventful one. A bone fide East Ender born within the sound of Bow Bells Derek grew up during the Blitz in a tight-knit working-class family. In this candid memoir he describes those tough early days his stint in the police life on the wrong side of the law & how he turned his dream of being an actor into a reality. But not before trying his hand as a professional gambler & acting as a runner for the notorious East End gangster Charlie Kray brother of twins Ronnie & Reggie. Determined to be an actor Derek began his hugely successful stage & screen career firstly as a stuntman; before landing memorable TV roles in series such as Law & Order Minder King & Castle The Governor & doomed soap Eldorado. In this frank & revealing tale Derek pulls no punches as he admits past mistakes & describes his remarkable transformation into one of our best loved actors. Meet the man behind the character as he shares with readers his heartbreak over two marriage break ups & his devotion to his twin boys. An East End Life is a truly remarkable story spanning nearly seven decades packed with tears & laughter that will endear you to this popular star.