DEREK Fowlds, star of eighties comedy Yes Minister, is asking the public to vote for the show in the BBC2 competition Britain's Best Sitcom.

Mr Fowlds, who lives in Colerne, was star of the political satire alongside Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington from 1982 to 1986.

This week the BBC launched the sitcom competition and announced the top ten nominations.

Yes Minister faces strong competition from Only Fools and Horses, Black Adder and Fawlty Towers amongst others.

Over the next ten weeks the public can vote for their favourite show and every Saturday there will be an hour-long documentary on each sitcom.

Writer and comedian Armando Ianucci will be making the case for Yes Minister on February 7.

While at his London home, before returning to Leeds to continue filming Heartbeat, Mr Fowlds took time out of his busy schedule to reminisce about his favourite comedy.

"It was very, very different. Quite unique. It was innovative and the first sitcom based on politics. You had to listen rather than watch. The situations were very real. And the three of us were brilliant," he joked.

"Cameras had not gone into the House of Commons then. People did not really know what it was like."

Mr Fowlds has very fond memories of his time on the show, particularly of his co-stars, who have since passed away.

Mr Eddington played the new Minister of Administrative Affairs James Hacker who was being constantly manipulated by civil servant Sir Humphrey Appleby played by Mr Hawthorne. Mr Fowlds played the minister's pedantic private secretary Bernard Woolley who tried to steer him through the minefield of politics.

"From the first day onwards we never had an argument. We became very, very close. I miss them everyday and think about them all the time," said Mr Fowlds.

"We used to stay in character off the set. I walked behind Paul and opened doors for him."

The programme, which ran for three series and included two Christmas specials, was rehearsed during the week and then filmed in front of a live studio audience on the Sunday.

"The lasting memory I have is how much fun we had during the week. There was a lot of laughter in the week but we were terrified on Sunday night. We had to remember it in front of 250 people. It was not easy stuff to learn and the audience loved it when we messed up. But the end result was terrific."

The close-knit cast were always joking about the show and each other.

"Paul used to say to me this will be our pension. They will be showing it for years. I would say 'we are not that good are we?' He said: "We are but you're not that good."

Mr Fowlds said he now watches the show more than he did when it was first aired.

"I make myself laugh. I find myself laughing at myself. It's the first sign of insanity."

Mr Fowlds is currently filming Heartbeat, another programme, which is very close to his heart.

"I love Leeds and Yorkshire and I love the people and the security. We are contracted until 2005 so I think I will stay until then.

"Bill Simons (PC Alf Ventress) has been in it from day one. He said we started it so we may as well finish it."

Mr Fowlds loves to return to Colerne. "It is a lovely village and I have been there for 13 years. I love the pubs and the village community. People see me and nod their heads and say that was rubbish last night. They will be gunning for me and voting for Yes Minister. I am not there as much as I would like. It is where my heart is."