Bob Geldof lands €3m windfall from TV production firm Castaway

Bob Geldof last year shared in a fresh £2.25m (€3m) windfall in dividends from the production firm behind the successful reality television show, Survivor.

The Dubliner may not generate significant income from his singing career anymore, but his shareholding in Castaway Television Productions Ltd has proven a very shrewd investment and is an impressive cash cow for the 64-year old, producing dividends on an annual basis.

The UK-based company is the firm behind the Survivor reality TV series that has been sold across the world and viewed by tens of millions of people.

New accounts show that pre-tax profits at Castaway Productions Ltd last year increased by 49% to £4.7m as revenues increased by 37% to £9.49m.

The series first screened in 1997, and has been on air continuously since. In the US, there have been 31 seasons of Survivor with the 32nd to be broadcast next month.

Geldof received £750,000 (€1m) in dividends in the 12 months to the end of March last.

This arises from the political activist, musician and businessman sharing a one third dividend of the £2.25m paid out.

The returns show that between 2010 and 2015, Geldof received £5.65m (€7.69m) in dividends through his share from the £16.95m paid out in dividends over those six years by Castaway.

The figures show that the largest proportion of business is generated in the US where the firm recorded 79% of revenues.

The directors state that they are satisfied with the performance of the company during the year.