Irish Sunday Mirror

GLITTER: THE TV DOCUMENTAR­Y

Doc tells pop paedo’s tale but survivor slams its producers

- EXCLUSIVE BY LAURA ARMSTRONG Assistant Editor, Showbiz scoops@sundaymirr­or.co.uk

TV producers are planning a major documentar­y on pop paedophile Gary Glitter amid criticism from an abuse survivor.

The former pop star left jail this month after serving half his 16-year term. A source said: “ITN are working on a series which will document Glitter’s success as a glam rock star in the 1970s and how he was exposed – decades later – for using his fame to prey on girls.” Child sex exploitati­on survivor Sammy Woodhouse said: “This documentar­y will be too triggering for many [survivors] to watch. “Many will feel that a platform shouldn’t be given to a paedophile.” The TV source added: “It is an extraordin­ary story, which contributo­rs are being assured will be handled sensitivel­y. But it is still likely to prove controvers­ial. There is no doubt that the final product will contain material some viewers will find extremely disturbing.” It is understood that ITN Production­s has pitched the documentar­y to Netflix – who have had huge hits with true crime shows. Glitter, 78, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was freed from category C HMP The Verne, Portland, Dorset. He had been sentenced in 2015 for attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one of sex with a girl under 13. Glitter was one of the biggest music stars of the 1970s when he targeted victims, thinking no one would believe their claims against a celebrity. One of his three young victims was less than 10 years old when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975. Glitter, whose hits include I’m The Leader Of The Gang, was first jailed in 1999 over child sex images and did time in Vietnam for abusing girls.

Some will find the material extremely disturbing TV SOURCE CLOSE TO ITN PRODUCTION­S

 ?? ?? PREDATOR Police mugshot of Glitter before trial in 2015
PREDATOR Police mugshot of Glitter before trial in 2015
 ?? ?? DOWNFALL Trial in Vietnam, 1999
DOWNFALL Trial in Vietnam, 1999

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