Gentlemen; if you were approached by an attractive woman asking you if you’d like to become a male model, what would you say? Not just any gentleman, either, but one who was well built, good looking and six-foot plus with a waistline?
If Maureen Martin spots a likely lad she will invite them to audition for her modelling agency. She admits stopping the car and chasing a prospective client, explaining about her agency and such is her winning personality, no-one to date has taken offence
“When I give them the facts they are very friendly and sometimes willing to give it a go,” she tells me. “If not, we leave with a shake of the hand and a smile. If suitable, as a photographic or fashion model you don’t make a fortune - it’s pocket money - so most men and women also have a day job.”
Maureen was very successful with Derek Dubery, who came to Northern Ireland 20 years ago when working for the civil service. He was transferred here and settled well, and with a modelling background, also took up acting in his free time. Since working with Maureen he has graced many campaigns and shows in Ireland and the UK.
Derek is 58 and handsome. He was born in Kent and went to university in London studying ancient and medieval history. He obviously was one of the ‘in crowd’ judging by his tattoos; ‘punk’ is emblazoned across his neck but even I have to say they are interesting and attractive.
Does this not inhibit his choice of career? “I can apply make-up if necessary and once a well known bank asked me to pull my shirt cuffs down over my hands but in general they are accepted,” he explains.
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Fascinating Background
As we talk over lunch, his story turned from the civil service, to modelling and acting, especially on film and television. He appeared in Game of Thrones and remember the brilliant BBC comedy Soft Border Control and the ignorant English MP who hadn’t a clue? Davis Butterworth was played by Derek.
I asked him all the usual questions, about whether he’s careful with his diet, keeping fit, fending off fans? Derek gives a modest smile: “There’s a certain reaction and excitement in a female audience at fashions shows.”
And talking of male fashion, how do we compare with England? “Older men are stuck in a time warp,” he tells me. “In general there isn’t the same interest, traditional rather than trendy.”
Now that the older mannequins are in vogue, both male and female, he continues to demonstrate a more up-to-date fashion sense.
I asked him all the usual questions, about whether he’s careful with his diet, keeping fit, fending off fans? Derek gives a modest smile: “There’s a certain reaction and excitement in a female audience at fashions shows”
“If you notice men on television don’t go grey, they think tinting their hair keeps them young looking but just look at George Clooney to see how attractive going grey can be.”
Derek has been every colour under the sun and has now settled for a silvery short back and sides, a neat beard and a swirling moustache.
Boy Biker Beats The Bullies
As we talk he tells me more about himself and his stable of motorbikes, two wives and six girlfriends left behind in England for a new life in Northern Ireland.
There’s plenty of work apart from the day job, mostly with campaigns and commercial work. But one campaign became the most important as he explained: “From the age of two I wore glasses for astigmatism and throughout my school days I was terribly bullied.
“I was ‘specky four eyes’, I was the Milky Bar Kid, or I was called the puppet Brains from Thunderbirds. I had no role model who wore glasses.
“It had a very negative effect on my self-confidence and that has lasted in some respects to this day, hence I find relationships difficult.”
So, despite no longer needing glasses to the same degree, when Specsavers ran a competition for the ‘spectacle wearer of the year 2016′ he entered and won over the 12,500 who entered.
“In the initial interview I talked about my growing up and the need for someone to look up to and I think they took notice of that, especially as the competition was in aid of the anti-bullying charity Kidscape. Eventually £88,000 was raised.
“The ceremony was held in Westminster in the Embassy Rooms. It was a star-studded event including Rylan, Twiggy, Denise van Outen and Louis Walsh.
“My prize was £10,000 in cash, a holiday in New York and £1.000 vouchers for Specsavers.”
As well as that, Derek became a role model thanks to promotional videos for the chain of shops. Today glasses have become a fashion item and worn especially by men as a statement, no longer a stigma as it was 50 years ago.
So handsome gentlemen, watch out for Maureen Martin...
