THE life of world-renowned Bermudian diver Teddy Tucker is to be featured in an hour-long biography film to be screened by the Biography Channel.

Mr. Tucker, who turned 78 yesterday, met up with representatives of the A&E television company in Boston last November and a film crew made the first of three visits to Bermuda in January.

They recorded more footage last month and the crew will return in August to film another segement.

Some of the recent filming took place as Mr. Tucker was working at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) on the new Teddy Tucker Shipwreck Gallery, which showcases many of the artefacts the diver has brought up from shipwrecks around the island.

Mr. Tucker did not wish to say much about the film, except that it was "very pleasing" that a TV company would want to make a programme about his life.

Asked if he still dived regularly, he said: "Every time it's a nice day and I get somebody to go down with me."

His daughter Wendy Tucker, who is director of the BUEI, said: "The film crew will be coming down in August again when they will be going out on a boat to do some filming around the wrecks and some night dives as well.

"The film should be completed by the end of the year or early next year. And we will be editing some clips from the film to show in the Shipwreck Gallery."

Mr. Tucker is deeply knowledgable about all things marine and has been exploring many of the 350 submerged wrecks around the island for decades.

He has brought up thousands of artefacts, probably the most famous of which was a gold cross inset with six emeralds which he found in the wreck of the San Pedro, a Spanish ship which went down in 1955.

Mr. Tucker discovered the priceless cross in 1955, along with jewellery and coins. Unfortunately the original cross was stolen in 1975, when thieves replaced it with a replica.

The artefact was dubbed the Tucker Cross and a replica was made by David Beale is on display in the BUEI Shipwreck Gallery.

Jaws author Peter Benchley dedicated his book The Deep to Mr. Tucker and his wife Edna and in an author's note at the back of the book he wrote: "I am deeply indebted to a friend, mentor and walking encyclopedia - Teddy Tucker."

The Deep, which included a character based on Mr. Tucker, was made into a hit movie, much of which was filmed in Bermuda. The film company hired Mr. Tucker as a consultant and he went out to catch marine life including sharks and moray eels to grace the film's one-million-gallon underwater film set in Somerset.

The BUEI was to stage a reunion of some of those involved in the making of the film, including actress Jacqueline Gissett, director Peter Yates and writer Mr. Benchley, next weekend, for two charity fund-raising events. However the "Deep Party" has now been postponed.

Ms Tucker said: "We had to postpone it because of unforeseen circumstances. It will now be held on the weekend of October 17 and 18, which will coincide with when our international advisors are scheduled to meet here."

Ms Tucker added: "Jacqueline Bissett said she would be contacting Nick Nolte to see if his schedule would allow him to attend." All ticket holders to next weekend's postponed events will be given a full refund.

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