Overnight figures show that an average of 900 000 people tuned into watch the first episode of Channel 5’s new show, ‘Isle of Wight Jewel of the South’.

At times peaking over a million viewers, the programme highlighted some of the residents and businesses that make the Isle of Wight such an incredible place to live and visit.

Shot during the dry summer of 2022, award-winning television company Daisybeck Productions met and filmed local people and visitors enjoying the Isle of Wight in the sunshine.

The first episode featured local fisherman and fishmonger Mike Curtis and his family who have the popular Captain Stan’s Bembridge Fish Store, head gardeners (and twins) at English Heritage’s Osborne, Philip and Nigel Brown and owner of Sandown Airport, Dan Subhani.

Future episodes will feature popular businesses and hidden gems, including hotelier Howard Spooner from the historic George Hotel in Yarmouth, local diver Martin Woodward and destination favourite Adgestone Vineyard.

The four-part series is first broadcast 8pm on Thursdays during March and is available online with Channel 5’s streaming service: https://www.channel5.com/show/isle-of-wight-jewel-of-the-south/season-1/isle-of-wight-jewel-of-the-south

Visit Isle of Wight is among the local businesses credited with helping with the production.