Ade Edmondson’s pact not to do sex scenes with Bergerac’s Zoe

Ade Edmondson has revealed how he and his Bergerac co-star Zoe Wanamaker made a pact not to do sex scenes in the series. 

Ade, 69, joins the cast for series two of the hit show. He takes on the role of Nigel Morton, the love interest of Charlie Hungerford, played by Zoe, 76. 

Ahead of the release later this week, the actor revealed why they decided to swerve getting intimate in the bedroom in favour of a more romantic storyline.  

‘My favourite scene was our bed scene. Not much of a scene really, just a shot of us in bed,’ Ade told The Mirror. 

‘We both thought it was unnecessary to see people our age getting intimate, so we determined to hold hands while sleeping instead. We knew we’d got it right when we heard the director go, “Awww”.’

Ade, who is married to Jennifer Saunders, continued: ‘I’m sure Zoe wouldn’t mind me letting everyone know that she is as mad as a box of frogs.

‘Some of the best people are. It’s always very educational to work with people who are so good at their craft. I learnt a lot.’

Bergerac, which starred John Nettles as detective Jim Bergerac, was a huge hit when it was screened on the BBC between 1981 to 1991.

Viewers warmed to the show’s sub-plots about his love life and its stunning locations in Jersey.

The show was renewed in 2025, with Damien Molony taking on the role of the detective. 

Robert Gilbert will star as Barney Crozier once again, with Lesley Sharp, Charles Dale, Turlough Convery, Georgina Rich and Jonathan Aris also part of the stellar cast. 

A synopsis for the new series reads: ‘Jim’s tentatively started dating, with the encouragement of Kim [played by Chloe Sweetlove], although he still feels a hole in his life since his wife’s death 

‘Privately though, he doesn’t hold out much hope of meeting someone special, until along comes Nicola [Camilla Beeput], a visitor to the island with whom he connects.’

‘But, just as things look like they might be on the up, Bergerac is pulled into his next big investigation when the groom at a wedding is found murdered in his hotel room.

‘Could the victim’s final words hold the key to the killer’s identity?’ 

The second series of the Bergerac reboot premieres on Thursday on U&Drama.