[2] Talbot won a silver medal in the 1977 IBF World Championships in the mixed doubles with Gillian Gilks, losing against Steen Skovgaard and Lene Køppen in the final.

In the men's doubles he and Elliot Stuart, his former schoolfellow in Newcastle upon Tyne, were defeated in the semi-finals by Ade Chandra and Christian Hadinata 15–8, 15–12.

In the mixed doubles, he paired with Gillian Gilks and they won the gold medal, beating Svend Pri and Ulla Strand of Denmark in the final 15–6, 18–16.

In recent years Derek left his more traditional career behind and ultimately set up the Natural Patient homeopathic centre in Ibiza.

[4] He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to badminton.