Afternoon:
15°c
Fergie eases money problems with film deal for her books
Sri Carmichael, Consumer Affairs Reporter23.10.09
The Duchess of York has sold TV and merchandising rights to her recent children's books and her “brand” in the US and Canada as part of a deal with film-maker Handmade, it was announced today.
Sarah Ferguson will receive “substantial amounts of money” for the deal, according to Handmade — the group behind hits such as Withnail and I, Time Bandits and 50 Dead Men Walking.
The deal comes amid mounting speculation over the Duchess's finances after the winding-up of her US firm Hartmoor, expected to close before the end of the year with debts of about £600,000.
Hartmoor managed her American career in publishing, public speaking and media work. Its winding-up follows the ending of her contract with Weight Watchers last year.
Handmade plans to turn the Duchess's books Tea For Ruby and Little Red — which have been highly popular in America — into an animated series. It has also signed her for a six-part series with National Geographic re-tracing the journey of great women explorers, called In the Footsteps Of, and plans other merchandising for the Sarah Ferguson brand.
Handmade has bought US animation cartoon studio Animated Collective — a deal also announced today — to start work on the children's series, launching a new business called Handmade Kids. The Duchess will join its board as a non-executive director.
She said: “I am pleased that Tea For Ruby and the Little Red series will be developed by what we firmly believe will become a leading children's entertainment company.”
It has been a difficult year for the Duchess. She was recently threatened with legal action after an employee demanded she settle an unpaid bill for more than £17,000. Staff member Richard Owen claimed the Duchess owed him for work he did to improve her image.
Reader views (1)
Perhaps she could now be persuaded to accept some parental responsibility for her two daughters. Tax payers have funded the lavish lifestyle enjoyed by this family for far too long. It is time Fergie and air miles Andy started paying their way.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK
