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12:41 GMT, Sunday, 14 September 2008 13:41 UK

Kazakhstan buys BBC Dibley show

Dawn French

Kazakhstan has bought the rights to BBC comedy, The Vicar of Dibley, which stars comedienne Dawn French.

The series, written by Richard Curtis, is based around a female vicar living in a rural Oxfordshire village.

The award-winning BBC One comedy was first broadcast in Britain in 1994 and ran for three series, followed by several Christmas and Easter specials.

The show's executive producer Jon Plowman said the deal showed how comedy was able to "break down barriers".

'Great news'

The last outing for French's jolly, chocolate-loving, irreverent vicar was a Comic Relief special last year.

The series was sold to broadcaster Khabar Agency by BBC Worldwide, the BBC's commercial arm.

Kazakhstan is where Sacha Baron Cohen's character Borat was from.

The film, Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan, upset some people from Kazakhstan, who did not like the way they had been represented.

Mr Plowman said: "This is brilliant. I have always felt that the people of Kazakhstan were the ideal audience for the vicar.

"Seriously, this is great news and shows how comedy breaks down barriers. I hope they love it."

Monisha Shah, from BBC Worldwide, said: We're delighted that Kazakhstan viewers will see this wonderful Emmy- award-winning comedy thanks to broadcaster Khabar Agency.

"I am sure that like thousands of others around the world, they will also enjoy the charm and delights of English parish life, so beautifully crafted by Richard Curtis and Dawn French."

Guest stars in the show have included Rachel Hunter, Sean Bean, Johnny Depp, and Kylie Minogue.




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Related to this story:
Alley to star in US Dibley remake (06 Feb 07 |  Entertainment/Arts )
Vicar of Dibley to be resurrected (03 Jan 07 |  Entertainment/Arts )
Dibley's farewell is ratings hit (02 Jan 07 |  Entertainment/Arts )
Vicar of Dibley tops Christmas TV (26 Dec 06 |  Entertainment/Arts )
Ofcom questions Christmas Dibley (07 Jun 05 |  Entertainment/Arts )

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