Documentary focus to fall on lion-keeper

STRELLEY’S Reece Oliver has confirmed he’s involved in a new documentary with Ross Kemp after it was reported the investigative journalist was filming a UK show similar to the Netflix hit Tiger King.

Mr Oliver, who looks after two African lions and a Canadian puma, also revealed how he’s running to become a councillor for the Liberal Democrats on Nottinghamshire County Council, when he was asked about the reports of the show.

He confirmed last year that he had met Mr Kemp for talks over work as a picture showed Mr Kemp, who previously played Grant Mitchell in Eastenders, outside a pub in Strelley Village.

And Mr Oliver, 29, said: “I am running for councillor, that is included a little bit in the programme.

“We are just about to start campaigning.

“I have been involved in it, I can’t really say a lot more than that.

“It’s a documentary. I am bound by a contract.”

He added: “He’s doing something, it’s not the same as the Tiger King.

“It’s a documentary with Ross Kemp. I only gave a little interview.”

It comes after it was reported that Mr Kemp was working on a 60-minute documentary with ITV, predicted to air this year.

Mr Oliver confirmed the pair had met in November and that he’d showed Mr Kemp around his grounds.

He added he was looking to represent Kimberley, Nuthall and Strelley on the county council.

Mr Oliver has recently submitted plans to build a new den for his big cats, pictured, saying the extension was vital for their welfare.