Tommy Sheridan is to tell the story of his extraordinary rise and fall in Scottish politics in a new two part documentary commissioned by BBC Scotland.
Tommy Sheridan: Caught in the Headlines will follow the former socialist MSP from his emergence as a leading figure in the campaign against the poll tax through his years at Holyrood and the scandals, court cases and imprisonment which dramatically changed his public reputation.
The documentary has been given exclusive access to Sheridan, while his wife Gail will also participate for the first time.
Produced by Finestripe Productions, the two hour long programmes will use personal testimony, extensive archives and contributions from former colleagues, political opponents, activists and journalists who witnessed the events surrounding Sheridan at close quarters.
It promises to be about considerably more than one politician.
Sheridan’s story stretches across four turbulent decades in Scotland, encompassing the poll tax, the rise of the Scottish Socialist Party, the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and some of the most extraordinary political and legal battles of the devolution era.
David Harron, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries and Specialist Factual at BBC Scotland, said:
“Few politicians and public figures of the past 40 years in Scotland have been as high profile and exerted as much fascination as Tommy Sheridan.
“Now for the first time he tells the story of his life.
“Alongside insider testimony from family, former friends and many others who had a front row seat during many of his spectacular highs and lows Tommy Sheridan: Caught In The Headlines is a compelling and thought provoking series.”
Lorraine McKechnie, Executive Producer at Finestripe Productions, said:
“Forty years on from the campaigns that made his name, Tommy Sheridan remains one of the most talked-about and controversial figures in Scottish public life.
“Until now, he has refused to tell his story.
“This is an intimate and uncompromising look at Sheridan, with access to his wife, Gail, and the inner circle who helped shape his rise and were caught up in the fallouts, betrayals and scandals that came with it.”
Sheridan remains one of the most recognisable figures from the early years of the Scottish Parliament, and his journey from political prominence to the courtroom became one of the defining stories of Scottish public life during that period.
Graeme Hart will serve as series producer and director for Finestripe Productions.
The documentary forms part of a wider collection of new factual programmes commissioned by BBC Scotland covering contemporary history, true crime, terrorism and popular culture.
