Kazakhstan to air 'The Vicar of Dibley'

LONDON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Kazakhstan broadcaster, the Khabar Agency, has bought the rights to air the award-winning, British sit-com "The Vicar of Dibley," the BBC said.

The show is about Geraldine Granger, a vivacious vicar who shakes things up in a small British village.

Starring Dawn French as the title character, who describes herself as a "babe with a bob cut and a magnificent bosom," as well as James Fleet, Emma Chambers and Gary Waldhorn as various local oddballs, the Richard Curtis-penned show was first broadcast in 1994 and ran three seasons. The cast has also reunited for several specials.

Guest stars on the series have been Johnny Depp, Sarah Ferguson, Kylie Minogue, Rachel Hunter, Sean Bean and Richard Armitage.

"This is brilliant. I have always felt that the people of Kazakhstan were the ideal audience for the vicar," said the show's executive producer Jon Plowman. "Seriously, this is great news and shows how comedy breaks down barriers. I hope they love it."

BBC Worldwide's Monisha Shah added: "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."