INFORMING BRITAIN - FACTUAL - INFORMING BRITAIN by @AndyGibsonTV

UNDERCOVER BIG BOSS: S01E02

12/8/2021

Undercover Big Boss: S01E02
Thursday 12 August 2021
ITV/STV
21:00

Narrator: Tracy-Ann Oberman
Director: Paul Shenkin
Series Producer: Paul Shenkin
Series Editor: Richard Mears
Executive Producer: Mike Cotton
Executive Producer: Rachel Bloomfield

This week, it's the turn of Robert Forrester.

Robert is the Chief Cxecutive of Bristol Street Motors, one of the largest car dealership groups in the United Kingdom. It is a three billion-pound business that sells new and used cars from all the major brands.

With 149 dealerships across the United Kingdom and over 6,000 employees, the company sells one car to a British resident every four minutes.

When the CoronaVirus Pandemic hit, Robert was forced to close his dealerships and furlough the workforce. However, he also decided to take a massive gamble, whilst other businesses were downsizing, he saw an opportunity to become the biggest and best automotive dealer in the United Kingdom. So he went on a shopping spree, purchasing 30 new dealerships and investing millions of pounds of shareholders' money.

Now he needs to make sure his gamble will pay off, so he is going undercover to make sure his company is in the right position to expand.

As a self-confessed 'data geek' who graduated from Oxford, Robert has never actually worked on the shop floor or sold a car in his life. For his undercover journey, he adopts the persona of history lecturer called Tom Gough who is looking for a career change, post-pandemic.

Here's a sneak preview of what's to come.

THE RIOTS 2011: ONE WEEK IN AUGUST

8/8/2021

The Riots 2011: One Week In August
Monday 09 August 2021
BBC Two
21:00

Director: James Jones
Executive Producer: Darren Kemp

2011 saw the largest wave of disorder in the United Kingdom since the 1980s.

This revelatory film hears from the people who experienced the riots up close and personal.

A decade on, we look back at the Summer of 2011 through the eyes of those whose lives have never been the same since.

In a series of candid interviews, we hear the story from all angles.

Convicted rioters, frontline police, a judge, a government advisor and a grieving father look back at that week in August, and the years that followed, to piece together what really happened and why.

LEIGH-ANNE: RACE, POP & POWER

13/5/2021

Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power
Thursday 13 May 2021
BBC One
21:00

Presenter: Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Contributor: Alexandra Burke
Contributor: Neo Jessica Joshua
Contributor: Rachel Agatha Keen
Contributor: Keisha Buchanan
Director: Tash Gaunt
Producer: Kandise Abiola
Executive Producer: Sam Bickley
Executive Producer: Tom Currie

This powerful one-off documentary follows pop star Leigh-Anne Pinnock as she confronts her experience as the only black member of Little Mix, and as a black woman in the music industry.

Leigh-Anne talks about the racism she has experienced growing up. Both her parents are of Caribbean heritage, and Leigh-Anne identifies as black. She is also aware that having lighter skin and being a celebrity means she is in a more privileged position than others.

Leigh-Anne embarks on her own, very personal journey, to understand how she can use her platform and privilege to combat the profound racism she sees in society around her. After she takes on this, her biggest and most important mission yet, news of George Floyd's death and Black Lives Matter protests begin to sweep the world. With the force of a global movement now behind her, Leigh-Anne confronts those closest to her and attempts to bring difficult conversations about black representation right to the top of the music industry.

With no-holds-barred access to one third of the world’s biggest girl band, we join Leigh-Anne with her Little Mix bandmates behind the scenes, at home with her professional footballer fiancée Andre Gray and with fellow pop stars, politicians and podcasters as she opens up an all-important conversation about race. Leigh-Anne takes a look at the complexities and impact of unconscious bias, racial stereotyping and colourism both in and away from the public eye.

Since winning X-Factor Leigh-Anne has often felt like she is treated differently, and now she is wondering whether years of feeling ignored at signings, not hearing her name cheered at events, and fans walking past her in favour of the other girls in the band may be down to her race.

To understand her experience she contacts Beyonce's Creative Director Frank Gatson, whose words on their first video rehearsal nearly a decade ago, "you're the black girl, you have to work ten times harder", have stuck with her ever since.

In an emotional scene with her parents, we see how they first reacted when Leigh-Anne told them how she had been feeling as the black member of the band.

Leigh-Anne’s dad John, recalls:

"At the time I thought to myself, Leigh-Anne, toughen up, get yourself together, you're in a good position, get on with it, don't moan about it" but her parents' attitudes have changed as they have seen the effect the experience has had on their daughter over the years.

Leigh-Anne's mum, says: "You can use your voice and your experiences to help other people and to let other people know, things are going to change."

Pulling together a group of black and mixed-race pop royalty for a round table discussion that's almost like therapy, Leigh-Anne compares experiences with Alexandra Burke, Neo Jessica Joshua (known professionally as Nao), Rachel Agatha Keen (who performs under the 'Raye' moniker), and Keisha Buchanan from the Sugababes. In turn, each artist reveals their own shocking experiences within the music industry because of the colour of their skin.

When discussing colourism, Leigh-Anne is forced to confront the uncomfortable question - "If I was dark skinned, would I be in Little Mix?"

If Leigh-Anne is going to ask difficult questions of the World around her, she needs to do the same at home. In 2012, Andre Gray, Leigh-Anne's footballer fiancée, wrote a series of offensive tweets, some of which were about black women. Leigh-Anne confronts Andre about these tweets and tries to understand what led him as a younger man to think such abhorrent things.

Putting your head above the parapet isn't easy and Leigh-Anne starts to receive criticism from all angles. She seeks advice on how to handle this backlash from Member of Parliament Dawn Butler who herself has faced horrific racial abuse throughout her career.

Dawn pushes her to carry on: "When the history books are written people have got to ask themselves, what's going to be said next to your name?"

During Leigh-Anne's appearance on the Trilly Trio podcast, the subject of Leigh-Anne's immediate working world comes up.

"I walk into work and there are no black people, and that has been that way my whole career, I just haven't noticed it, it's my normal!"

The podcasters throw down the gauntlet for her: "Do you feel you have the confidence now to have a conversation with your record label, what's management really doing to emphasise Black Lives Matter?"

Leigh-Anne decides she must confront her label about what they are doing to make positive change. But meeting them on camera to join forces to work together going forwards is going to be harder than she imagined.

IAN WRIGHT: HOME TRUTHS

6/5/2021

Ian Wright: Home Truths
Thursday 06 May 2021
BBC One
21:00

Presenter: Ian Wright
Director: Dan Dewsbury
Series Producer: Charlene Osuagwu
Executive Producer: Emma Hindley
Executive Producer: Anna Sadowy

Ex-footballer and broadcaster Ian Wright investigates the effect on children of growing up in a psychologically abusive and violent home, in the United Kingdom.

In the last year, 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse, and in 90 percent of domestic abuse cases there is a child present. As well as coming to terms with his own experience, Ian sets out to understand the impact this kind of childhood can have on kids growing up now and on the adults they will become.

After returning to his childhood home for the first time in 50 years to revisit his past, Ian decides to travel across the United Kingdom to meet with other people who have experienced domestic abuse in their childhood, as well as to meet professionals to talk through his own trauma. Ian discovers how things have changed since he grew up in the 1970s, and finds out how children are supported in the United Kingdom today, by visiting his former primary school and observing local and charity-led initiatives.

In the final leg of his journey, Ian visits a charity who work with people at risk of committing, or who have already committed, domestic abuse - and meets a man who is on a course to help him understand and change his behaviour. Ian discovers how abuse can become a dangerous cycle and, emotionally, he reveals that he is able to begin to forgive his mother and move on from the past.

Upon reflection he concludes that "abuse creates a vicious cycle - it’s up to all of us to stop it".

THE MONEY MAKER: S01E01

26/4/2021

The Money Maker
Series 1 / Episode 1
Tuesday 4 May 2021
Channel 4
21:00

Presented by Eric Collins
Series Producer: Helen Richards
Executive Producer: Nick Parnes
Executive Producer: Mark Saben

In the current economic climate and with the business sector on its knees, this new series seeks to show that shrewd decisions can help businesses navigate the post-pandemic economy and still deliver a profit.

We follow The Money Maker - serial entrepreneur and seasoned investor Eric Collins - in his quest to offer not only his expertise and unrivalled business acumen, but also his own capital investment to four small struggling British businesses.

Each week, Eric visits a different company in the United Kingdom, offering a game-changing investment designed to turn its fortunes around and equip it for growth.

In return, he'll take an equity stake in each business, call the shots and take charge of the transformations he wants to see happen.

As the CEO of Impact X Capital - a venture capital firm supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs across Europe - Eric invests millions of other people's money, but this time it's from his own pocket... and it is personal.

In the first episode, The Money Maker is in Manchester checking out repair and restoration company Prymo.

Lively CEO Jasen says he's never been busier, but Eric wants to know exactly what's been keeping him busy as there isn't enough profit to expand.

It's down to Eric to get Jasen to focus on just one aspect of his business at a time, but will the tempestuous relationship between them end up costing Jasen his entire company... and take Eric's money with him?

With the most important pitches of his career coming up, Jasen needs to focus.

But will the pair ever agree on an investment deal?

THE GREAT GARDEN REVOLUTION: S01E01

26/4/2021

The Great Garden Revolution
Series 1 / Episode 1
Saturday 1 May 2021
Channel 4
20:00

Presented by Poppy Okotcha
Presented by Bruce Kenneth
Presented by Joel Bird
Executive Producer: Fintan Maguire
Executive Producer: Emily Hudd

A Rumpus Media production for Channel 4

The Great Garden Revolution is a brand-new series and a call to arms for people across the nation to get out into our gardens and transform our outdoor spaces.

A team of experts - designer Joel Bird, ecological gardener Poppy Okotcha and craftsman Bruce Kenneth - inspire us with possibilities for our own space.

After spending the last year in our homes, all across the United Kingdom a revolution is happening as people discover their gardens and a love for gardening.

In each episode, Poppy, Joel and Bruce share tips, hacks and tricks to show what can be done in our outdoor space - whatever its size, shape or make up - and help to transform one garden in need of love.

An array of famous faces give viewers a tour of their gardens and show us their green-fingered efforts.

From epic garden transformations and inspiring garden visits, to how-to builds and a plant-of-the-week, this show offers practical, hands-on advice so that everyone can join the revolution from wherever you are, with whatever you have.

The Great Garden Revolution is made in partnership with Ronseal.

In this first episode, our experts focus on gardens for all the family to enjoy, with plenty of tips and inspiring ideas on how to create one.

Joel builds a social hub at the back of the garden, featuring a pergola that houses a barbecue and a seating area for family and guests.

Poppy shows us how to make a barrel pond and creates a revolutionary forest garden that adds beauty and plant life to any space.

Bruce adds a beautifully crafted chair to relax and enjoy the garden in.

The team also visit the Cotterells; five adults live in their London house, so it's a busy one!

Can the team transform their garden into a wonderful social space with something for everyone?

24 HOURS IN POLICE CUSTODY: S11E02

29/3/2021

24 Hours In Police Custody
Series 11 / Episode 2

NARRATOR: Royce Pierreson
FEATURING: Bedfordshire Police
DIRECTOR: Abi Mowbray
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Zac Beattie
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Simon Ford
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Amber Ronowicz
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Flavia Taylor

A The Garden production for Channel 4

Another gripping true crime documentary featuring unprecedented access behind the scenes as police investigate a major crime.

It's Saturday night in Luton, and a man is fighting for his life after being shot at point blank range in the chest with a handgun.

The attack appears to be a completely unprovoked shooting of a stranger.

With a gunman on the loose, the police launch a frantic operation to find the identity of the suspect. DC Colin Knight of Bedfordshire Police's Guns & Gangs unit admits the pressure: 'We have a very dangerous person out there willing to shoot innocent members of the public.

The ultimate fear would be if he's done it once he can do it again...

A young woman walks into Luton police station and tells detectives she too has been threatened by the man.

The young woman, says:

"He caught me by my throat, and put the gun against my head and asked me whether if I was a wolverine or wolf."

Cameras follow every twist and turn of the manhunt as detectives gather evidence to work out what really lies behind the attempted murder of an innocent man, as they try to catch the shooter before he strikes again.

This is real-life drama where the facts really do turn out to be stranger than fiction.

24 HOURS IN POLICE CUSTODY: S11E01

19/3/2021

24 Hours In Police Custody
Series 11 / Episode 1
TX DATE: Monday 22 March 2021
TX TIME: 21:00
NETWORK: Channel 4

NARRATOR: Royce Pierreson
FEATURING: Bedfordshire Police
DIRECTOR: Abi Mowbray
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Zac Beattie
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Simon Ford
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Amber Ronowicz
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Flavia Taylor

A The Garden production for Channel 4

The UK's biggest and most successful true crime documentary series returns with the first of four gripping new films that take viewers behind the scenes of police investigations into major crimes.

In Bedfordshire, a 23-year-old man is under arrest, but this isn't his first time in custody.

In fact, he claims he has been held by the police many hundreds of times before.

He is accused of committing a string of crimes where his victims have been left badly hurt.

In his interview he simply answers "no comment".

Without fresh evidence, officers have no choice but to release the suspect.

DS Claire Gilbert of Bedfordshire Police can't hide her frustration; she believes he will offend again.

DS Gilbert, says:

"If you are never left to account for what you do, then that breeds a belief that 'I am invincible'."

Within days of leaving police custody, the man is named by the public in reports of a fresh crime wave, which this time culminates in a sex attack on a young woman.

On the run and apparently out of control, the suspect is now officially 'Most Wanted'.

Cameras follow as armed officers are deployed to find and arrest him.

Every twist and turn of the case is recorded as DS Gilbert and her team piece together enough evidence to convict a suspect she regards as a danger to the public.

This is real-life drama where the facts turn out to more compelling than fiction.

CAROLINE FLACK: HER LIFE AND DEATH

17/3/2021

Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death

TX/PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Wednesday 17 March 2021
21:00
Channel 4

Contributor: Dermot O'Leary
Contributor: Olly Murs

Director: Charlie Russell
Executive Producer: Dov Freedman

In February 2020, at the height of her fame, TV presenter Caroline Flack took her own life.

In this powerful film, Caroline's mum Christine, her twin sister Jody and many of her closest friends and colleagues pay tribute to one of Britain's biggest TV stars, telling the story of her life in order to try to understand what led to her death.

Revealing the complex woman behind the public persona, and exploring the pressures that fame, mental health issues, press and social media had on Caroline throughout her life, Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death combines never-before-seen footage, childhood home videos and intimate testimonies from her family and friends, as they try to come to terms with their loss.

Exploring the circumstances that led to her death, the film also charts Caroline's rise to fame, from stage school to presenter of some of Britain's biggest TV shows.

Olly Murs and Dermot O'Leary speak candidly about the pressures Caroline faced during her time on The X Factor, but it's Caroline's experience of heartbreak throughout her life that is the most revealing.

THE TRUMP SHOW: S01E01

15/10/2020

The Trump Show
Series 1/Episode 1
Thursday 15 October 2020
BBC Two/BBC Two HD
21:00

Director: Rob Coldstream
Series Editor: Sam Bergson
Series Producer: Kate Quine
Executive Producer: David Glover

When Donald John Trump became President of the most powerful nation on Earth, he brought a bold new approach, honed from a career as a Reality television star and smart-talking businessman. The results turned the political world upside down.

This inaugural episode gives us a front row seat to the first 18 months, as key players including Steve Bannon, Sean Spicer, Omarosa Manigault Newman and Anthony Scaramucci take us behind the scenes of this extraordinary presidency.

In November 2016, Donald Trump unexpectedly wins the United States election. He faces a change of lifestyle as he moves into The White House and finds himself confronted with a whole new set of rules, rules Trump isn't used to. Trump sends out Sean Spicer to bat for him over reports of disappointing inauguration attendance figures, in an episode which establishes a fraught new relationship with the press.

From this moment, Trump's relationship with his audience - some adoring, others not so much - takes centre stage. He downgrades White House briefings, and instead talks directly to the public through Social Media Networking (more specifically Twitter). His use of emotive, repetitive phrases - from 'fake news' to 'fire and fury' - shows an instinct to connect with the American public in a completely new way.

Factions in The White House compete for Trump's attentions as he finds his feet, with discord between Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus, and Sean Spicer and Anthony Scaramucci played out in public. Washington life begins to resemble a Serial Drama and the cameras are poised to capture it all.

Trump hits the world stage, displaying showmanship and instincts for populist entertainment honed over years in worlds of business and reality television. Facing a broad range of challenges, from violence in Charlottesville to historic encounters with Kim Jong Un, Trump develops the guiding principles of his presidency, proving resistant to all attempts to change or mould his unique character.

Trump's presentational style, his creation of new narratives around the very idea of truth, and his refusal to bend to Washington etiquette is changing the political landscape - perhaps forever.