Sir David JasonWednesday 1 August 2018: The nations favourite comedy channel, Gold, has teamed up with Britains favourite actor Sir David Jason, on a trip along the west coast of America by road, rail and air exploring both the rich heritage of iconic American transport and glimpsing the high-tech future on offer. The UKTV Original David Jason: Planes, Trains & Automobiles (5x60) is produced by Shiver, the ITV Studios label, and will air on Gold in 2019.
Train buff, one-time mechanic and pilot Sir David Jason will embark on an epic month-long journey in this special UKTV Original travel documentary series. It will take him north to south, from Seattle to Los Angeles, travelling on the iconic Amtrak Coast Starlight train. Its the biggest and best train hes ever been on, hugging the majestic west coast of the USA in all its 28-stop, 1,300-mile glory; truly the realisation of his lifelong ambition.
David Jason said,
All my life Ive been obsessed with planes, trains and automobiles. And, of course, Im well known for my association with the odd motor (including a certain three-wheeler). The west coast of America has seen - and is still witnessing - some of the greatest innovations in transport history - I cant wait to find out for myself how they do things over there. Its going to be fun, its going to be entertaining, and I get the feeling Im going to learn a great deal about this part of the world on my journey too.
This all-American travel experience captures numerous pit stops and excursions along the way as David disembarks for a series of encounters discovering the unique, pioneering history of the West Coast. A huge fan of all things mechanical, David also time travels between experiencing astonishing feats of engineering of the past to cutting edge technology of the near-future - everything from riding 100-year-old cable cars and Harley Davidson motorbikes, to flying on a legendary DC3 vintage airliner, driving the latest American Super Truck and investigating the prospect of sub-orbital space flight.
Ordered by UKTVs director of commissioning Richard Watsham and genre general manager, Steve North and produced by Shiver, the series is commissioned by UKTVs senior commissioning editor, Iain Coyle who will also oversee as executive producer for UKTV with Mike Blair for Shiver. Chris Malone will series direct.
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Iain Coyle added,
Im so delighted to be working with Sir David again. Im sure he, and the good people at Shiver, are going to take us on a fascinating journey, as he has the energy and inquisitiveness of a man half my age.
Gerald Casey, channel director for Gold, said,
Its a privilege for us to be working with Sir David Jason again and Im delighted well get to share his passion for all things automotive. I cant think of anyone better to take the Gold viewers on a long vacation Stateside.
Mike Blair said,
This is a route that not only takes in some of the must-do bucket list all-American travel experiences, but also reveals just how this part of the world has led the way in innovation. Everything there is bigger, better, faster .. were so looking forward to going with David on this journey of a lifetime.
UKTVs increased investment in original programming has resulted in a 40% increase in commissions and the biggest commissioning slate in UKTVs 25-year history with successful launches, award-winning returning series and around 100 shows currently in the pipeline.
Last year, Gold celebrated 25 years on air with two hit retrospective documentary series also featuring Sir David Jason: David Jason: My Life on Screen, also produced by Shiver, and The Story of Only Fools and Horses, reaching over 2 million adults. The channel has also honoured comedy legends in the past with UKTV Originals The Two Ronnies Spectacles, Bring Me Morecambe and Wise and The Interviews.
David Jason: Planes, Trains & Automobiles will air on Gold in 2019 and joins recent UKTV Original announcements including My Favourite Sketch, hosted by Sally Phillips.
Gold is also celebrating Sir David Jason month throughout September.
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For more information please contact:
Gem Pinkney, Publicity Manager
Kerry Goode, Head of Network Comms
Julie Pickford, jpkfrd@aol.com
David Jason - biography
David Jason is best known for his starring roles in three long-running television series: Del Trotter in the award-winning Only Fools and Horses for the BBC; Pa Larkin in The Darling Buds of May and Inspector Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost both for ITV. His many other television credits include starring roles in Porterhouse Blue for Carnival Film and Television; All The Kings Men, a drama based on a real incident in WW1 for the BBC, and many single dramas for ITV including Ghostboat, Alberts Memorial and Come Rain, Come Shine. David directed three TV films, The Quest, The Quest 2 and The Final Quest for ITV, and has also presented the documentaries The Battle of Britain and two series of David Jason ... In His Element which was about his love of Deep Sea diving.
More recent work includes the series Still Open All Hours for the BBC, My Life On Screen (also for Shiver), Only Fools and Horses documentary and David Jasons Secret Service.
David has written two very successful books, My Life and Only Fools and Stories published by Penguin Random house.
His extensive voice work includes The Wind in the Willows in which he was the voice of Toad, Count Duckula, Dangermouse and The BGF, as well as many radio plays and audio books.
David has received many awards for his work, notably the 1988 BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his performance in Porterhouse Blue. He won the BAFTA Award for Best Comedy Performance for Only Fools and Horses in 1989. In 1996 he won a Special Recognition Award from the National Television Awards and was voted Favourite Sitcom Performer by the British public in the BBCs TV60 A
