MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide Productions will produce an American version of ?Hairy Bikers? for the History Channel in the US.

The commission comes after BBC Worldwide struck a partnership with ?Hairy Bikers?, managed by James Grant Group, to license their brand and format around the world.

US cable channel History has commissioned Los Angeles- based BBC Worldwide Productions to produce 12x30? episodes to be broadcast later this year.

The US Hairy Bikers are former personal chef for President George W Bush, Paul Patranella and his motorcycle mechanic and foodie friend of 20 years, Bill Allen. Paul, a classically trained chef, will travel with Bill across the country sampling unique delicacies, as well as uncovering America?s traditional dishes and putting their own twist on them.

This is BBC Worldwide?s first deal for the Hairy Bikers brand after recently striking this innovative partnership. The structure also includes DVD, merchandise and live events rights globally.

BBC Worldwide executive VP International Production Matt Paice said, "The Hairy Bikers have really captured viewers? attention in the UK and the introduction of their stateside doppelgangers is a really exciting development. We look forward to striking innovative new deals for Dave and Si and we will be looking for talent to replicate this success for broadcasters around the world."

James Grant Group head of television Holly Pye said, "The History deal represents the first of its kind for the Bikers. We look forward to working in partnership (for our clients) with BBC Worldwide in the coming months and years. History has the ideal platform and audience from which to showcase the Bikers unique concept."

The original Hairy Bikers, Dave Myers and Si King, first appeared on BBC Two in 2005 in The Hairy Bikers? Cookbook: Si and Dave do Portugal. Their friendship, charm and passion for cooking appealed to viewers and the duo then went on to make a series of many other culinary programmes.

The Hairy Bikers programmes have been sold by BBC Worldwide to more than 160 territories around the world; titles include Mums Know Best, The Hairy Bakers and The Hairy Bikers? Cook Off.

MUMBAI: Simon Fuller has sued Fox and television producer Fremantlemedia claiming that they have reneged on a deal to give him a stake in ?The X-Factor? that is about to premiere in the US.

Fuller filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles claiming that he is owed both a fee and an executive producer credit for the stateside version of the singing contest. The case will be heard on 7 November 2011. 

He insists he was ?contractually promised? the money and acknowledgment in an agreement with Fremantle Media North America and Rupert Murdoch?s Fox network in 2005.

He has sued Fox for a ‘commensurate‘ fee from the profits of the new show. He has alleged breach of contract among other charges.

Fox and FremantleMedia issued a joint statement saying, "Mr. Fuller has not been hired, nor performed any duties, on the US version of ‘The X Factor. His suit seeks payment and credit as an executive producer despite his neither having been approved by the required parties, nor hired, as such. We believe this lawsuit is without merit and we expect to prevail."

Fuller?s lawyers responded by saying, ?Fox‘s position that Fuller‘s claim lacks merit because the parties have not approved him as executive producer is absurd. It is precisely because Fox was contractually obligated to approve Fuller as executive producer and has breached that obligation that the case was filed. ‘Fox appears to be admitting early on that they have breached the agreement.?