BBC producer caught in a display of road rage

A TV producer behind Sir David Attenborough's acclaimed documentaries told a family 'I want you to die' as he tried to place them under citizen's arrest in an extraordinary road rage tirade. 

Wildlife producer and director Fergus Beeley shocked a family on Saturday when he got out of his car on the M27 near Portsmouth, Hampshire and launched into an explosive rant. 

Simon Gale, 33, who was driving the other car involved, said Mr Beeley flew into a 'raving state' after both cars were forced to pull over at the side of the motorway.

Mr Beeley was heard calling the family 'w******' and 's****' and telling them to 'get back in the car before you die'.

His LinkedIn profile shows that he was a series producer on the BBC's Natural History Unit. 

Mr Gale also claims Mr Beeley grabbed hold of him around the throat and 'raised his fist in a threatening manner'.

The father, of Salisbury, Wiltshire, says he also attempted to push his mother-in-law towards oncoming traffic on the motorway.

He said: 'It was quite a scary thing.

'He flew into an absolute raving state. When he got out the car he demanded, 'Do you know who I am?', and when I said I didn't he grabbed me and pushed me against the car.'

Video footage of the incident, shot by Mr Gale's mother-in-law, shows Beeley repeatedly screaming at the family that they are under citizen's arrest - after reportedly telling them he was an off-duty policeman.

Mr Gale said: 'My son was so scared by it that he actually ended up sleeping in our room last night. He's very shaken.

'Luckily none of us are harmed in any way - but we're still quite shaken by it. We're definitely going to be a bit more cautious from now on.'

Mr Beeley has been contacted for comment by MailOnline. 

• This article was first published on dailymail.co.uk and is republished here with permission.