Atkinson makes millions from TV deal

Tiger Aspect, the production company behind The Catherine Tate Show and The Vicar of Dibley, has been sold for more than £25 million.

The deal, with America’s IMG Media, will make millions for its directors - including Rowan Atkinson.

And it means Tiger Aspect will now be part of the largest independent production company in Britain, with an estimated turnover of £183million.

Tiger Productions, as it was then called, was formed by agent Peter Bennett-Jones in 1988 as a vehicle to produce Atkinson's Mr Bean shows.

Atkinson now stands to make around £4million from the deal, according to press reports today.

The company also produces the Lenny Henry show, and was responsible for Bill Hicks’ big career break, when they spotted him at the Montreal Just For Laughs comedy festival and recorded his show for Channel 4.

Tiger Aspect’s other programmes include children's animation series Charlie and Lola and the forthcoming Robin Hood series for BBC One. It also has a film unit which made Billy Elliot and Kevin and Perry Go Large.

Bennett-Jones said: ‘We are immensely proud of our output and this deal will enhance our ability to make many more memorable programmes for broadcast in the UK and around the world.’

Published: 2 Jun 2006