Taxpayers contributing £1.2m to Bergerac reboot

Taxpayers have contributed about £1.2 million to the TV production company filming the remake of Bergerac in Jersey.

Broadcaster UKTV said the reboot, which was originally set on the island, was a "re-imagined series".

Deputy Kirstin Morel, the minister for sustainable economic development, said producers asked the island to contribute £2 million towards the costs during negotiations.

He confirmed it had taken out a loan of about £400,000 which would be repaid over two years.

Deputy Morel explained the island would receive 12.5% of all international sales.

He added: "It's a really interesting deal and it is one which has the headline figure of £1.2 million but that... doesn't tell the tale of the deal that has been done underneath - because part of that £1.2 million is a loan.

"That will be repaid, so the figure being paid out by government is less than £1.2m overall. The loan is around £450,000."

The original BBC series, created by Robert Banks Stewart, ran for nine series between 1981 and 1991.

Filming of the reboot took place on the island over the summer.

"If this is successful, there's a high chance Jersey could earn some money," said Deputy Morel.

"It is a risk we have taken by supporting Bergerac but as well as the return on international sales there is also the tourism boost which we hope to see."

He added the £1.2 million would not be paid in "one lump sum" but over two years.

The six-part series has been produced by BlackLight TV, part of Banijay UK, Jersey-based Westward Studios and supported by Visit Jersey.

The show is set to air in 2025 and stars actor Damien Molony, perhaps best known for TV series Brassic and Suspects.

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