David Jason signs exclusive ITV deal

David Jason has signed on to a three-year golden handcuffs pact with ITV reportedly worth in the region of £3m.

"David is without doubt the UK’s most popular and best loved actor and our viewers want to see more of him on ITV," said ITV executive chairman Michael Grade, who is credited with "an influential role in persuading David that his future lay" with the network. "Over the years we have built a terrific relationship with him and I believe that together we can keep creating his best work."

One of the first projects for Jason will be a new episode of A Touch of Frost. Currently in development, the show is likely to be filmed in the Autumn.

"I feel very comfortable working with the team in Yorkshire led by David Reynolds, we work together very well and I feel completely at home with them," said Jason, who serves as an executive producer on Frost. "I am very excited about the next three years and I have a number of projects which I want to develop. I’m keen to keep making high quality, entertaining television for the ITV audience."