Bergerac: Jersey government asked for £1.8m for remake of hit series

John Nettles played title character Detective Jim Bergerac in the popular TV drama - which aired throughout the 1980s

The Government of Jersey has been asked for £1.8m to fund a remake of BBC detective series Bergerac.

Based in and depicting Jersey, Bergerac aired from 1981 to 1991 - featuring John Nettles as detective Jim Bergerac.

It is hoped a remake of the hit series would attract more visitors to the island.

Robert Mackenzie, from the Channel Islands Travel Group, said: "I think any publicity of this type is to be welcomed.

"When a destination is featured in a drama programme, it does draw attention to it, it does raise interest in the destination, and I'm sure that as a result of Bergerac being re-filmed, it will attract more people to come to the island, I'm absolutely certain about that."

Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said the investment was "being considered", but said he would need to go to the Council of Ministers on the matter.

In a statement to the States, Mr Farnham said he was cautious about committing public money to help fund the remake.

Deputy Farnham said: "Members may know or remember that I've been a proponent for the establishment of a screen fund, in the support of investment in such activity to promote Jersey.

The BBC detective series Bergerac ran for nine series from 1981 to 1991

"Of course, there's been one or two hiccups along the way, and in relation to Bergerac, there has been one or two false starts."

Mr Farnham said he had a meeting scheduled "later in the week" to discuss the possibility of a remake.

He added: "I think, ultimately, it's something I'd have to take to the Council of Ministers, given the priorities we have.

"Having said that, we must remember that these sorts of things are investments, and could return us significantly larger amounts of money than we put in, so it's something that's being considered."

Former chief minister Deputy Kristina Moore said the production company was committed to investing nearly £1m in Jersey and creating a trainee scheme for young people.

She said unless the government moved fast, they could risk losing the deal.

Ms Moore said: "Well, this does now need some quick action, because the company are ready to go, there are scripts written, they could start filming in the spring for broadcast in November and December of this year."

Ms Moore said the remake would be "a great boost for the island".

Bergerac regularly attracted audiences of about 15 million people

It comes hot on the heels of the TV show The Apprentice coming to Jersey for an episode screened earlier this month.

Visit Jersey said it led to a 215% surge in people looking at its website - leading to 4,000 referrals to local websites.