When friends and family found out I was the new Bergerac, they all wanted to know about the car!

Damien Molony on stepping into shoes of iconic TV sleuth

- MARK JEFFERIES

Damien Molony was sworn to secrecy about landing the role of Jim Bergerac but when he mentioned he was off to work in Jersey, people soon guessed the gig.

So iconic is the original show, along with the Triumph Roadster the TV detective drives, friends and family were quick to point out he would make a great young Bergerac - and would he be driving that car?

The 40-year-old actor, who has starred in Derry Girls, Brassic and The Split, said: "When I was first cast, I wasn't allowed to tell anyone I was playing Jim or even that there was a reimagined series in the works.

"People would ask me what I was doing for the summer and I'd say, 'Well, I'm actually going to Jersey to do some work. You could see their brains putting two and two together and lots of people commented that I'd be like a young version of Bergerac.

"I found it funny that even at the very mention of Jersey, people were already thinking about the series.

"It really does go to show how synonymous it is with the island.

"Safe to say that there was a lot of excitement when it was revealed I'd be stepping into the iconic role. When friends and family found out, they all wanted to know about the car!"