Bradford actor Andrew-Lee Potts is currently filming the fourth series of monster-mash TV series Primeval, which has returned from the dead after fighting off a funding crisis.

Wibsey-born Andrew played geek-turned-hero Connor Temple in the first three series of the smash ITV1 Saturday night drama before it was cancelled due to the high cost of producing its special effects-heavy episodes.

But it was announced last year that the network had signed a deal with digital channel Watch to fund two new seasons – and Andrew is now in Ireland filming for series four, which will be aired on ITV early next year.

Series five, which is being filmed at the same time, will initially be shown on Watch.

Primeval follows the fortunes of a team of adventurers trying to solve the mystery of the anomalies which cause rips in time, allowing beasts from the distant past and far future to cross over to the present day.

Producers Impossible Pictures have worked with BBC Worldwide to implement a new funding strategy, in which BBC America, which has acquired previous series for broadcast in the US, joins Germany’s Pro7 as a co-production partner for the new episodes.

Tim Haines, creative director of Impossible Pictures Ltd, said: “The confidence demonstrated in the programme’s continued success here and abroad will help us bring more big-screen action and a whole host of new creatures roaring back into people’s living rooms.”