This session sees Victoria Derbyshire speaking to the cast and creatives behind Floodlights, a new factual drama coming soon to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer
Floodlights tells the impactful and important story of Andy Woodward, the former professional footballer whose brave revelations about the sexual abuse he suffered as a youth player sent shockwaves throughout the industry and across the globe.
In November 2016, Andy found the strength to go public about sexual abuse by his youth coach, Barry Bennell. After doing so, hundreds more men, many also victims of Bennell, found the courage to speak up about their experiences of abuse, lifting the lid on a national scandal in the country’s most popular sport.
The factual drama depicts Andy’s life, from a boy with a passion for the game to a successful professional footballer who seemingly has the world at his feet, until, no longer able to ignore the haunting memories of the abuse he was subject to by his youth coach, his career is cut short. It examines the power and control held by Bennell, grooming young players and their families with the promise of making their dreams come true.
Victoria is joined by Gerard Kearns who plays Andy Woodward, Jonas Armstrong who plays Barry Bennell, writer Matt Greenhalgh, director Nick Rowland and Executive Producer Colin Barr.
Floodlights will be on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 17th May at 9pm.
This is a pre-recorded event and the full session will be available to watch on this event page.
