The alcoholic beverage is one of Scotland’s most popular drinks but has been tarnished in recent years since being linked to anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.
Antiques Roadshow were set to film an episode at Buckfast Abbey in Buckfastleigh in September.
However, the BBC has come under fire from Neil who has begged them to stop production on the instalment.
He wrote in a letter: “For many years there has been great concern in Scotland about the sale of Buckfast and its adverse impact on the behaviour of those who drink it, owing to its excessive caffeine content, etc.
“A lot of anti-social behaviour is caused by the use of this drink.
“By using this Abbey as a location of this (excellent) programme it could send out the wrong message, especially to young people, that the BBC was giving respectability and credibility to this drink.”
He continued: “My concern is that this programme could be used, even inadvertently, to advertise Buckfast.
“Viewers might get the impression that the BBC is endorsing Buckfast as a product.”
What’s more, Neil went on to beg the broadcaster to prevent this episode from being made.
A spokesperson from the BBC told Express.co.uk: “Buckfast Abbey is a site of historical significance, celebrating one thousand years of worship in 2018, and is set in a beautiful landscape in an area of the country that the Roadshow has not visited in some time.
“It also has facilities to cater for the large number of visitors the Roadshow expects to draw to its free, public events.”
They added there would be no promotion of the tonic wine on the show.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for J Chandler and Co told The I: “We are somewhat surprised by Mr Neil’s comments. We wrote to Mr Neil when he was the health secretary.
“We received a reply back clearly indicating that the Scottish Government has no evidence to suggest that our brand causes any issues.”
Buckfast has been linked to criminal behaviour for the past few years.
In 2015, the Scottish Prison Service reported more than 43 per cent of criminals had consumed the tonic wine before their offence.
What’s more, Buckfast has been linked to over 6,500 reports of antisocial behaviour in the country.
Antiques Roadshow will return to the BBC later this year.
