A pensioner who used to work as a semi-professional Michael Crawford lookalike in his youth has found himself facing harassment from debt collectors in relation to a court fine that he already settled three months ago.
Derek Bird incurred, he admits, ‘quite a lot’ of speeding fines for driving 25 mph in a 20 mph zone.
After initially receiving a warning letter in October of last year, he was surprised to get another notice informing him that he had been subjected to a six-month driving ban and was required to pay fines amounting to £450.
The 76-year-old asked his wife to drive him to Willesden Magistrates’ Court, where he requested a hearing and arranged a date.
Mr Bird told MailOnline: ‘I went down there all suited and booted and from 8.30am to 12.30pm, I wasn’t seen.’
Ater waiting four hours, Mr Bird alerted an usher who informed him his name was not even on the list.
‘They squeezed me in before lunch but when the man read a summary of my case, he mentioned four adjourned court cases,’ Mr Bird said.
‘Having only received one notification previously, the £450 fine was waived, my driving ban was lifted, and I was given three penalty points on my license conditional on my appearance at an additional court hearing.’
The 76-year-old (pictured now) says he is still being chased by bailiffs for a fine he paid three months ago
Derek Bird with Michael Crawford’s ex wife Gabrielle Crawford at the opening of her new shop Sign Of The Times in Chelsea, 1976
Mr Bird pictured with his British Empire Medal (BEM) and his corresponding licence plate
Next time he was in court, Mr Bird said a magistrate told him he was at risk of having his licence suspended ‘unless you can give us a good reason not to.’
‘I told them I’m my wife’s carer and I take her to the hospital when she needs to go,’ said Mr Bird.
‘I get my pension and do some odd jobs on the side. I look after four or five elderly people, they’re in their 80s and I see them every week to do their gardens.
‘They asked me if I could go by tube and I said “no” – I can’t take all my tools on the tube.’
His British Empire Medal was then pointed out by a court staff member.
‘I got it when I was eighteen for chasing gunmen,’ said Mr Bird.
‘I was going to a disco but then I followed their car and blocked them in a cul-de-sac. They had just robbed a bank.
‘It’s quite handy to have the medal!’
Mr Bird and Michael Crawford’s ex wife Gabriella in 1976, who hired him for the opening on her new store
Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer (L) and a young Derek Bird impersonating the hapless character (R)
Perhaps owing in part to his shiny accolade, Mr Bird’s driving ban was officially lifted and he was ordered to pay £56.
He paid the fine in full ‘straight away’ over the phone in December, 2024.
But three months later, he is still being accused by CDER Group debt collectors of not paying the fine, which has increased to a staggering £366.
‘The bailiffs are on to me and I can’t get them off. We’re waiting for a knock at the door any minute now – I’m ready to put a bucket of water over their heads.
‘I’m not young. I’m 77 this year and I’m strong, I can take it, but imagine another pensioner – they’d be out of their mind.’
The colorful pensioner used to pose as a Michael Crawford lookalike – the actor best known for playing Frank Spencer in the 70s sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em.
And he still offers his services at friends’ birthdays and parties. A common trick of his is holding the birthday cake then dropping it at the most inopportune moment.
Indeed, Mr Bird made the Daily Mail’s front page on November 30, 1976, when he was hired by Michael Crawford’s ex wife Gabriella to pose as her actor husband for a shop opening.
Mr Bird made the Daily Mail’s front page on November 30, 1976, when he was hired by Michael Crawford’s ex wife to pose as her actor husband for a shop opening
A letter written on Mr Bird’s behalf by the CTSC outlining his distress at the ongoing ordeal
A notice issued to Mr Bird by CDER Group debt collectors demanding the payment of the fine, now inflated to £366
Mr Bird says he has visited court twice to show them the bank statement proving he paid the fine, which they acknowledged.
‘They say “oh yes we see you’ve paid” but they don’t say that to the bailiffs, there’s no communication.
‘Bailiffs should be able to ring the court and communicate with them but all they know is they’ve got a live warrant.
‘It’s harassment. I’ve reported it to the police. They said if bailiffs come round, I should ring them and that’s what I’ll do.’
A letter has been written on Mr Bird’s behalf by the CTSC – a Ministry of Justice department that supports people with ongoing court cases – outlining his distress at the ongoing ordeal.
Hoping for a positive outcome, a defiant Mr Bird is determined not to be bullied into submission.
Having worked as a gofer for rock band The Dave Clark Five, ‘until I fell out with Dave’, Mr Bird also played for the Showbiz XI – a charity football team formed in the late 50s comprised of actors, musicians and young entertainers.
MailOnline has contacted CDER Group Enforcement Agency for comment.
