Derek Etchells played five similar but different parts on Coronation Street:
- A Policeman in the Lake District in October 1969
- A Policeman in April 1971
- P.C. 243 in March 1973
- P.C. Thompson in July of the same year
- P.C. Smith in February 1974.
He also appeared in two episodes of Last of the Summer Wine in the 1970s as well as episodes of The Liver Birds and Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?.