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Derek James Bennett (5 November 1930 – 2005)[1][2] was a British television producer and director best known for directing the first episode of long running British soap opera Coronation Street.
Derek James Bennett was born on 5 November 1930 in Birmingham.[2]
In 1960, Bennett began working for Granada Television, directing programmes Skysport, Biggles and Knight Errant Limited.[3]
In December 1960, Bennett produced the first episode of British soap opera Coronation Street. He worked closely with creator Tony Warren and producer Stuart Latham in casting the serial and directed a total of 25 episodes between 1960 and 1962.[3]
Bennett is known for directing programmes such as The Odd Man, Bootsie and Snudge and It's Dark Outside. He also directed 7 episodes of Play of the Week and various episodes of Sunday Night Theatre, Sunday Night Drama and Playhouse.[3] During the 1970s, he directed numerous episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs and Beryl's Lot. Between 1990 and 1992, he directed the soap opera Emmerdale.[3] Bennett often produced the programmes he directed.
In the 2010 drama The Road to Coronation Street Bennett was portrayed by Shaun Dooley.[4]
Bennett married Hazel Josephine Bryant in 1987 in Stafford.[5] He retired in 1990.
Bennett died in 2005, aged 74, at his home in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.[6] He had been suffering with cancer. Bennett did not have a funeral, at his own request.[6]
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