Derek Smalls quits Spinal Tap following “hatchet job” new movieHarry Shearer’s Derek Smalls has ‘quit’ Spinal Tap following the “hatchet job” sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. The new movie arrived in cinemas earlier this month, following the fictitious adventures of David St Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Smalls as Spinal Tap, even boasting cameos from musical royalty such as Paul McCartney and Elton John. Now, Smalls has announced that he’s leaving the group to venture upon a solo career. In a statement, the character shared with fans, “I’m not going to talk about the movie, except to say, it’s another hatchet job that makes us look like a bunch of fuckwits. In a three-and-a-half-star review of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, Far Out wrote: “What Spinal Tap II: The End Continues has is a totally endearing quality.