No passenger DC-8's were ever registered for UK use, but Trans-lift bought DC-8-61's (on Irish register) which were used by UK tour operators.
British Midland and Court Line both looked at the DC-8 63 series for charter work and Transatlantic.
The DC-9 (another T Tail jet) had to have expensive Mods for entry on the UK CAA registry (British Midland being the first operator in 1976 using N reg at first)