Diana - Her True Story: The Book That Changed Everything
Sunday 23rd September 8pm Sky Arts 1 HD and on Sky Go
Andrew Morton’s controversial book ‘Diana: Her True Story’ surprised the world when it was first published. Now, in the book’s 20th anniversary year, Sky Arts determines how the publication’s revelations threatened the reputation of the Royal Family and irrevocably altered the relationship between press and monarchy.
In this exclusive Book Show special, Mariella Frostrup narrates the definitive story of Morton, his publisher and key players in the events leading up to the book’s publication in 1992. Through interviews, they look back at the influence this extraordinary book had on UK society, the press and within the Royal Family itself, who failed in their numerous attempts to stop the book from being published.
From press suspicion and character assassination to burglary and death threats, ‘Diana: Her True Story’ turned Andrew Morton’s life upside-down. In this candid interview he reveals how the opponents to his book attempted to discredit and destroy his reputation and how he struggled to cope under the pressure of the public reaction to his work.
Detailing in revealing insight, Morton explains how the Royal Family were suspicious of him from his time as the Daily Mail Royal correspondent and long before the book went into print. Following an investigation by Scotland Yard as to his insider sources, his office was broken into and his contacts documents and working files were ransacked.
The book’s serialisation in June 1992 by a cautious editorial team at The Sunday Times, created public hysteria as Morton was accused of orchestrating an elaborate hoax regarding the books’ revelations about an unhappy Princess Diana: her mental state, eating disorders, the breakdown of her marriage and her attempted suicides. He reveals how fellow journalists were briefed to write against him and leading retailers refused to stock the book. Morton received the protection of armed guards following death threats from an Irish terrorist group.
“Sky Arts has built a reputation for bringing its customers closer to writers, authors and books on television.” comments James Hunt, Sky Arts Channel Director. “Andrew’s story is fascinating and this Book Show Special will reveal in illuminating detail the repercussions this extraordinary book had on society and in shaping how we view the Royal Family today.”
Diana - Her Story: The Book That Changed Everything airs on Sunday 23rd September 8pm on Sky Arts 1 HD and on the move with Sky Go.
The Book Show reflects Sky’s promise to deliver high-quality, exclusive content to customers, supported by a commitment to increase investment in home-grown programming to £600 million by 2014, an increase of more than 50% over three years.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Dominic Collett Sky Arts Publicist, Sky Press Office
T: 0207 032 4892
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Katherine Solomon PR Manager, Sky Press Office
T: 0207 032 0599
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