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
John Bishop announces latest Manchester gig arena tour dates
Danny Jones
Beloved British comedian John Bishop has announced another massive Manchester gig on his latest run of arena tour dates.
The well-known veteran of the North West and national stand-up scene at large is heading back to the region next year for his fresh batch of live stand-up shows.
Serving as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed hour from 2025, with these dates also serving as another opportunity for fans who missed out last time to see at least some of that material, John Bishop is no stranger to selling out Manchester arenas.
Returning to Co-op Live once again after his first two visits there this past autumn, Manc crowds can look forward to more of his usual scouse charm.
Confirming the new 2027 UK tour dates online this Friday, 23 January, Bishop said: “So excited to announce I’ll be heading back out on tour next year with my brand new show…. ‘Let’s Go Round Again'”
As he goes on to write, he’s set to play “some of the biggest venues across the UK and Ireland in April and May 2027”, simply adding, “Come and join me for a night to remember…”
The 59-year-old will be coming to Co-op Live on Sunday, 2 May.
His Co-op Live debut last October went down a storm, so it’s no surprise that we cousins down the Mersey were one of the first cities to be named on the new tour.
Bishop is enjoying a little bit of added renaissance at the moment, amid being at the centre of a Hollywood film starring Will Arnett and Bradley Cooper.
You can see the duo talking about the recent release down below.
Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett allowed themselves to be vulnerable when adapting John Bishop's life story 🎬 pic.twitter.com/B5DYBfDfJ8
The Everton-born comic was already 35 when he first started live stand-up, turning up at the Frog and Bucket comedy club on the edge of the Northern Quarter and choosing to go up on stage during an open mic night rather than paying the entry fee.
Already a successful salesman in the pharmaceutical industry, he chose to switch careers just before his 40th birthday and hasn’t looked back since.
It’s part of this real-life story that inspired the movie, Is Thing On? – which finally premieres here in the UK at the end of this month – and continues to make him a hugely popular touring UK comedian.
For anyone who fancies going along to see his new tour, you can sign up for early access through his mailing list or via the venue’s pre-sale for official Co-op Members.
Those windows open on Wednesday, 28 January from 10am; general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (30 Jan). You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
You can watch the trailer for the aforementioned motion picture here.
Trailer released for Netflix’s new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for Netflix’s new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby has been released.
The feature-length film about Lucy Letby – the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.
It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.
Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.
Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film – simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby – is described as being the most ‘comprehensive’ look at one of Britain’s most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.
Viewers will be given ‘unparalleled and exclusive access’ to those central to the story.
“This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility,” commented director, Dominic Sivyer. “Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case.”
Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions – who produced the documentary – added: “The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone’s perspectives with care and understanding.
“We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th June 2024 
