Antiques Roadshow in row over Buckfast Abbey show
As an ancient monastery in the picturesque Devon countryside, there could hardly be a better setting for Antiques roadshow.
But plans for Buckfast Abbey to host an episode of the BBC show have hit a stumbling block – over fears it will promote the controversial drink made there.
Monks at the abbey have produced the caffeinated tonic wine Buckfast since the 1890s. But it is notorious for its association with crime and anti-social behaviour.
Presenter fiona Bruce is heading for the site near Buckfastleigh, Devon, in september to film Antiques roadshow for an edition celebrating the abbey’s 1,000th year.
But former scottish health secretary Alex Neil has urged the BBC to scrap the episode, claiming it will ‘give credibility’ to the 15 per cent ABV wine and ‘inadvertently advertise’ the product.
in a letter to BBC Director general Lord hall, the Nationalist MsP for Airdrie and shotts said: ‘for many years there has been great concern in scotland about the sale of Buckfast and its adverse impact on the behaviour of those who drink it, owing to its excessive caffeine content.
‘A lot of anti-social behaviour is caused by the use of this drink.
‘By using this abbey as a location of this (excellent) programme it could send out the wrong message, especially to young people, that the BBC was giving respectability and credibility to this drink. i would strongly urge you not to use this location; or if you insist on doing so, ensure that the BBC makes it clear that it does not endorse the production and sale of this product.’
BBC sources insist there will be no on-air promotion of the product.
A spokesman for Antiques roadshow said that the abbey was chosen for the show because of its historical significance.
But Mr Neil defended his stance. he said: ‘My concern is that this programme could be used, even inadvertently, to advertise Buckfast.
‘Viewers might get the impression that the BBC is endorsing Buckfast as a product.
‘Clearly this would not be good given the concerns about the effect of Buckfast on the people who drink it.’
Buckfast has a notorious reputation because of its high alcohol percentage and caffeine content of 37mg per 100ml.
since 2014, it has been linked to more than 6,500 reports of anti-social behaviour and violence in scotland.
in 2015, the scottish Prison service said more than 43 per cent of inmates drank Buckfast before their last offence, despite it accounting for less than 1 per cent of scotland’s alcohol sales.
A spokesman for the abbey said: ‘this year is an important one for Buckfast Abbey, marking 1,000 years since the monastery’s founding in 1018.
‘With this landmark year and the wealth of history at Buckfast Abbey, we are very much looking forward to welcoming the Antiques roadshow.
‘We feel this is a wonderful opportunity for viewers to learn more about the life and history of Buckfast Abbey, as well as welcoming the wider community for what will be an exciting event for all.’
stewart Wilson, a spokesman for Buckfast manufacturer J Chandler & Co, said: ‘We wrote to Mr Neil when he was the health secretary.
‘We received a reply clearly indicating that the scottish government has no evidence to suggest that our brand causes any issues.’
‘Adverse impact on behaviour’