He became an Eighties sensation for his role as the troubled womanising detective, Jim Bergerac.
But fans hoping to see John Nettles in the drama’s modern reboot will be left disappointed, with the actor saying he is ‘miffed’ showrunners haven’t approached him.
The Mail on Sunday exclusively revealed plans to revive Bergerac, famously set on the island of Jersey, which became a huge hit for the BBC when its original decade-long run began in 1981.
It was widely assumed that Nettles, 80, would be offered some kind of role or cameo appearance in the new series.
Fans hoping to see John Nettles (pictured) in the drama’s modern reboot will be left disappointed, with the actor saying he is ‘miffed’ showrunners haven’t approached him
John Nettles pictured with his Triumph Roadster in 1988
But, in an interview this weekend, the star said he has so far been ignored by TV bosses.
‘I’m rather miffed they haven’t been in touch at all,’ he said.
Producers of the series, which will begin shooting this summer, are promising a ‘contemporary twist’ on the much-loved favourite. Much of it will be shot in Jersey and the series will air on UKTV and Drama channels.
Some of Britain’s biggest stars have been linked with the revival, including Doctor Who’s David Tennant, who is believed to have expressed a long-held interest in the role, former Poldark actor Aidan Turner and Happy Valley’s James Norton.
But Nettles was doubtful whether anyone could do justice to the role.
Asked who should play the part, he said: ‘I have no idea. To be honest, I can’t imagine anyone playing him but me.’
Nettles, who has since gone on to star in Midsomer Murders, also wondered whether the show could succeed in a different political and social climate. He told The Daily Telegraph: ‘I can’t see how a reboot will work. The show belonged to Thatcherite Britain, to a time of fast money and beautiful girls.’
However, Nettles said he now thinks the detective’s attitude towards women was ‘awful’, adding: ‘I was channelling my younger self, I think. I was a child of the 1960s. An infantile sexuality characterised that time. The attitudes towards women were appalling throughout the 1950s and 1960s.’
Therese Liotard (left) and John Nettles (right) on set during filming a scene for Bergerac in Aix en Provence, France
But he praised the female cast in the original series, which included Celia Imrie and Louise Jameson, saying: ‘None of them is your idea of a stereotypical decorative female.’
He singled out actress Floella Benjamin, who had a role in the first series, for particular praise. ‘Race was never about tokenism back then,’ Nettles said.
‘Actors were cast because they were talented and right for the part, which is the only reason to cast anyone. It was never part of an argument about inclusivity or social engineering.’
He also revealed that he received countless letters from fans offering sexual favours following the role, which turned him into a sex symbol. ‘I was flattered, of course I was,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t take it seriously… You can’t start to believe your own publicity.’