In our fast-moving world young people are being tempted with new ways to better their lives … LA is home to a growing number of social media stars. We now live in the era of the influencer, young creatives uploading videos on everything from shopping to make-up tips or just sharing their lives on-line. These influencers promote their perfect lifestyles and flawless looks uploading their content daily to millions of followers around the world … Why are so many young people prepared to go under the knife? Reggie Yates Meets World s1e4: Influencers, MTV 2019
2.05 p.m. 16 August 1977: The lifeless body of Elvis Presley lying on the floor. At just 42 the King of Rock n Roll was dead. Elvis: The Final Hours, Sky Arts 2019
Memphis Tennessee: the home of the legendary Elvis Presley. Here, Elvis’s closest friends and confidants, known as the Memphis Mafia, reveal the heartbreaking story of the King’s final moments on Earth. ibid.
Elvis took the world by storm. ibid.
Elvis did everything to excess. ibid.
Elvis’s only income came from his tours … He was on the very edge of financial collapse … 50% of the income went to Tom Parker. ibid.
The drugs and ensuing health problems had changed Elvis mentally and physically. ibid.
‘His mood swings were more frequent.’ ibid. confidant
‘A slowly slide.’ ibid.
Just over two months ago a close friend of Prince Andrew hanged himself in his cell at the Metropolitan Correction Centre in New York. Jeffrey Epstein was accused of being one of the most prolific child abusers of modern times. Now Epstein’s victims are speaking out fearlessly … ‘He abused over 1,000 women’ … ‘Epstein enjoyed a 12 year friendship with Prince Andrew. The Queen’s favourite son stands accused of having sex three times with a teenage girl trafficked by Epstein, once as part of an orgy. We built up the most complete picture yet of the relationship and the Prince, forensically examining Epstein’s address book and flight log, and comparing them against Prince Andrew’s schedule. Dispatches: The Prince & the Paedophile, Channel 4 2019
Why are the British police doing nothing? ibid.
He was also known as Randy Andy. The playboy prince. He had a succession of high profile girlfriends, and was mocked on the satirical programme Spitting Image. ibid.
Virginia Roberts claimed she had her third encounter with him [Andrew]; it allegedly occurred on the Caribbean island that Epstein had acquired in 1998 called Little St James. ibid.
For many years Russell Brand was at the heart of British comedy and television. For more than a year Channel 4’s Dispatches, The Times & The Sunday Times have been investigating Russell Brand’s treatment of women. The allegations include rape, sexual assault, and control and emotionally abusive behaviour. Dispatches: Russell Brand: In Plain Sight, Channel 4 2023
‘He’s grabbing at my, my underwear, pulling it to the side. I’m telling him to get off me and he won’t get off. Like holding me up against the wall, pushing himself in me.’ ibid. victim
Five women have agreed to share their stories in this film. Four have asked to remain anonymous. ibid.
It’s 2012. Russell Brand, a British comedian from a small town in Essex, has conquered Hollywood … ‘July 1st 2012 was when my rape happened.’ ibid.
Other allegations against Russell Brand go back many years. ibid.
‘His favourite subject was him. He was a narcissist and it was like almost like a joke.’ ibid. worker
‘You were voted the Sun newspaper’s Shagger of the Year.’ ibid. Jonathan Ross’ chat show
‘Russell engaged in the behaviours of a groomer.’ iibid. victim when 16
31st March 2001 Roydon Essex: 05:48am: ‘A geezer’s drowned in the pool … There’s a party going on and someone’s just gone out and found him … fucking hell. You don’t expect it, do ya?’ Barrymore: The Body in the Pool, 999 call, Channel 4 2020
‘31 year old Stuart Lubbock was found floating in the swimming pool at Mr Barrymore’s home in Essex; he died soon after.’ ibid. TV news
‘Just another night that went terribly wrong.’ ibid. Barrymore
‘I don’t think we really had him down as being gay.’ ibid. ex-Sun reporter
At 2:47 a party starts at Michael Barrymore’s house: there are nine people present. At 5:08 emergency services are called. ibid. caption
The immediate assumption for everybody was that the victim was gay. Because who the hell would go home with Michael Barrymore and a group of young men? It certainly seemed to be a pretty nasty gay poolside party. ibid. reporter
‘There was no third party involved in the death … This was a case of immersion, as I call it, or drowning … I would describe the injuries to the anus as horrific.’ ibid. pathologist
‘This may not be drowning and you should be aware of that.’ ibid. pathologist #2 to rozzers
The Essex Police investigation into Stuart Lubbock’s death concludes with no criminal charges. A coroner’s inquest is held to determine the cause of death. ibid. captions
‘The entertainer Michael Barrymore has refused to answer questions about alleged drug taking at his home on the night a man was found dead in his swimming pool.’ ibid. BBC news
‘Stuart had been the victim of a serious sexual assault.’ ibid. pathologist
Do you ever want to see Michael Barrymore on television again. Yes 090 190 44 41 No 090 190 44 42. ibid. Richard & Judy Show phone-in
Essex Police launch an investigation into Michael Barrymore’s public claims that Stuart Lubbock’s anal injuries were inflicted at the hospital after his death. ibid. caption
‘Stuart was assaulted quite possibly in the jacuzzi … To make it look like a drowning thrown in the swimming pool. I believe very much that Stuart Lubbock was raped and murdered that night. ibid.
She was a once in a generation talent. But at age 43 Hollywood icon Natalie Wood mysteriously drowned ... A bombshell 30 years in the making. An American Murder Mystery: Natalie Wood, Discovery 2020
Natalie Wood is now missing off the coast of Catalina … The dinghy had also disappeared. ibid.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department opens an investigation into Wood’s death. ibid.
Dr Noguchi also said that Natalie had a lot of bruises on her body including on her face … She was legally drunk. ibid. expert
Just weeks after her death, an unnamed source makes a scandalous claim: [Christopher] Walken and Natalie were having an affair. ibid.
I’m an ordinary sort of person. It may be hard to believe but I never longed for the spotlight. But somehow the spotlight found me. The Trial of Christine Keeler I, Christine, BBC 2019
Then I met John Profumo. I’m 19 years old. ibid.
I just wanna have a bit of fun, you know. ibid. Mandy to Christine
MI5 may have been watching Captain Ivanov but to me he was just another one of Stephen’s [Ward] friends. ibid.
You know I could introduce you to a lot more fun. ibid. Stephen to Christine
Chaos seems to follow you wherever you go. ibid.
I am not a bad person. I’m young. And I like to have fun. ibid. Christine
Terrible crimes have been committed. But not by me. ibid.
The most natural instinct there is – the love of a powerful middle age man for a penniless girl. Is that a crime? The Trial of Christine Keeler II, Christine’s commentary
Pleasure mixed with danger – I suppose that’s what Jack liked. ibid.
I was a naive little girl with more power that I ever could have dreamed of. But in the end it wasn’t enough to save any of us. There were far bigger powers at work you see. The powers that really make the world go round. And friendships you thought would last for ever just vanished into thin air. Stephen may have been the puppet-master but he wasn’t pulling the strings any more. Not mine anyway. And the people who were, they were set to destroy us all. ibid.
Trapped in a terrible place with no escape … I have no voice. The Trial of Christine Keeler III
And just like that I was someone else. Very Important Person indeed. ibid.
The camera steals your soul. The Trial of Christine Keeler IV, Stephen to Christine
I’d be more than happy to fill you in. ibid. Stephen to journalist, seen by Profumo
All these tarts Ward has buzzing around here. He’s some sort of ponce, isn’t he? Living on Immoral Earnings. ibid. rozzer
Soon we’ll be last week’s news, wrapping up fish and chips. ibid. Jack, pillow talk to trouble n strife
If no-one was ashamed, would you get as excited? ibid. Christine to Stephen
The Party’s in a sorry state without me. ibid. Jack to trouble n strife
… and then they decided about the crime. The Trial of Christine Keeler V, Christine
Sex makes the world go round: look where that’s got me. ibid. Christine to Stephen
I can tell you like to have fun – we have a future, you and I. The Trial of Christine Keeler VI, Stephen to Christine
Christine Margaret Keeler: I am arrested on charges pertaining to perjury, conspiracy and attempting to obstruct the course of justice … ibid.
They want to get me, don’t they? They got Stephen, and I’m next. ibid. Christine to rozzer
Justice has nothing to do with the truth. It’s a game. With ridiculous rules. ibid. Brief to Christine