A new BBC documentary is to tell the story of Andrew Malkinson’s “fight for freedom and justice” after being wrongfully convicted.
The hour-long programme will tell the deeply-personal story of an innocent man who was “failed at every turn” by the criminal justice system and ended up spending 17 years behind bar for a crime he didn’t commit.
If you’re unfamiliar with Andrew Malkinson’s story, it all started on the morning of 2 August 2003 when he received a knock on his door.
It was the police, and they were there to arrest him for the violent attack and rape of a young woman in Salford – but the only thing is, Andrew was adamant he hadn’t done it, despite officers being certain he matches the victim’s description of the attacker.
As he was convinced everything would be cleared up once he gets to the police station, Andrew agreed to take part in a video lineup, but to his shock, the victim identified him in the lineup as the man who attacked her, and Andrew was subsequently charged with attempted murder and rape, before jury later found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison.
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BBC to air new documentary about Andrew Malkinson’s ‘fight for freedom’ after wrongful conviction / Credit: Sophia Spring (via APPEAL)
After spending 17 years on the sex offenders wing in HMP Frankland, and maintaining his innocence the entire time, the Parole Board agreed to release Andrew from prison, and then almost 20 years since his arrest, the judge at the Court of Appeal delivered his decision.
“Mr Malkinson, having waited so many years, you leave the court a free man, no longer subject to the conditions of your life licence,” the judge declared.
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During the BBC documentary, which is titled The Wrong Man: 17 Years Behind Bars, Andrew takes centre stage to tell his story, and describes the devastating effect of those years in prison.
Filmed over a crucial three-year timespan, this powerful film has exclusive access to Andrew, his family, and his legal team to tell the extraordinary story of his fight to prove his innocence, from the moment of his arrest, right through to his exoneration at the Court of Appeal two-decades later.
BBC Factual announces The Wrong Man: 17 Years Behind Bars
Documentary for @BBCTwo & @BBCiPlayer tells the story of Andrew Malkinson and the devastating effect of the years he spent in prison for a crime he didn’t commit
“This film describes one of the most terrible miscarriages of justice of our time,” explained Emma Loach, who is the Lead Commissioning Editor of documentaries at the BBC.
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“This was not only a devastating failure of the judicial system for Andrew, it has also neglected to bring justice for the victim of what was an appalling crime. The film goes behind the headlines and shows Andrew’s bravery and tenacity as he fights for his freedom and the terrible repercussions he is still facing today.”
The Wrong Man: 17 Years Behind Bars airs on BBC Two this Thursday 6 June at 9pm, and you can watch it on BBC iPlayer after it airs here.
Featured Image – Ben Broomfield / APPEAL (via BBC)
TV & Showbiz
A Heated Rivalry club night is coming to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
Who’s ready for a night at the cottage?
We honestly can’t believe we finally get to say this, but a Heated Rivalry-themed club night – as in the ones we’ve seen going viral all over our TikTok FYPs – is finally coming to Manchester next month, as one popular local venue has decided to jump on the bandwagon and give us all what we deserve… a night at the cottage.
If you’ve been living under a rock and somehow haven’t heard about Heated Rivalry (you don’t have to have watched it, but we’d be shocked if you haven’t at least heard of it), it’s also affectionately nicknamed and known on the internet as ‘the gay hockey show’, which kind of does some it up really.
It’s a story of two elite ice hockey players, Canada’s Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Russia’s Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie).
The two play for rival teams and countries in the MHL and begin a ‘relationship’ over a 10-year period, which they choose to keep a secret due to homophobia in the world of hockey, and also just not fully understanding their connection themselves.
The six-part Canadian series has gone viral since its initial release back in late November last year, and UK release earlier this month… in fact ‘viral’ is an understatement, it’s been critically and commercially acclaimed like nothing else has in the television space for a while.
Its undeniable success has also spawned club nights across the world, with the soundtrack blasting out of speakers at full volume and fan edits of the show playing on big screens behind the DJ.
A Heated Rivalry club night is coming to Manchester next month / Credit: Sky / Crave (Press Images)
And now, Manchester’s finally getting a taste of the action.
Popular live music and club venue Gorilla has teamed up with Throwback Events to announced that it’ll be hosting its own Heated Rivalry club night next month, and fans can expect DJs to play music from the show’s soundtrack, before it’s woven into a late-night mix of the greatest 00s and 10s pop/queer club anthems.
Plus, you’ll also see edits on the big screen too, making it like a proper night at The Cottage.
“Join us for a night inspired by the viral hit TV show and book, built around tension, proximity, and the kind of chemistry you can’t ignore,” the event’s description reads.
The Heated Rivalry Club Night is coming to Gorilla in Manchester on Friday 20 February from 11pm, right through to 3am, and tickets are on sale now – with early bird options also available.
And as an extra perk, NHS staff or anyone with a birthday between 13-27 February go free.
Five places to watch The Traitors finale live on the big screen in and around Manchester
Danny Jones
With this year’s The Traitors finale just around the corner, Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK are preparing for one very big United Kingdom watchalong, including live viewing parties on the big screen.
Some places showed the grand finale last time around, and with the conclusion of series four fast approaching, even more have organised their own Traitors screenings in central Manchester and further afield, too.
We know plenty of you will be more than happy watching it at home, but there’s something about the idea of watching it in a room with a load of excited people over a few pints that just gets us buzzing.
All that being said, here are some places in town and beyond that are hosting screenings of The Traitors’ grand final this coming Friday, 23 January.
Live screening of The Traitors finale in Greater Manchester
1. Nell’s – Northern Quarter
First up on our list is the pizza palace that is Nell’s, specifically the one located inside beloved neighbourhood bar Common in NQ.
The place will be filling up from 8pm, ahead of the show starting half an hour later, and the full food and drinks menu will be available as normal. It’s selling out fast, so book your spot at ‘the roundtable’ now, whilst you still can.
Heading across the city centre to Gay Village, just a road over from the main throughfare of Canal Street, Richmond St’s Cockatoo Club is also holding a Traitors watch party.
Not only being played on the large projector, but also being hosted by cult favourite drag queen, Annabelle Hecter, this one should be a hoot and a half.
3. Fairfield Social Club – Greengate
Next up is one of the first ones not only to announce this year, but hop on the bandwagon of The Traitors watchalongs to begin with.
Fairfield Social Club (also the home of GRUB) are one of the experts when it comes to events like these, and it’s no surprise tickets are also disappearing rapidly. Find out more down below.
There are freebies for quiz winners, as well as the best fancy dress and Claudia Winkleman doubles.
4. Cultplex – Cheetham Hill
Our penultimate spot on the list is fellow royalty when it comes to grassroots events and championing alternative entertainment – they also happen to be the toast of Red Bank.
The Cultplex cinema team are used to smaller screenings, and if anything, this might pull in one of the most mainstream crowds all year, but they always deliver no matter what’s on the box. You can reserve your seats HERE.
5. The Light – Stockport
Last but not least, if you want to see how this season’s drama ends on a REALLY big telly, then you can always book yourself in for a trip to your nearest Light cinema location.
The Stockport branch has great food and drink, comfy recliner seats, plus plenty more – and if you’ve never done one of these live screening events before, this is a great place to start.
Emily Sergeant -
4th June 2024 
