Due to air in November on British ITV, no news about rest of world - sorry. Sounds like a must watch show.
ITV Sport is producing a new documentary looking at the lives of British motorsport legends James Hunt and Barry Sheene, two of the most colourful and flamboyant sporting icons of the 1970s.
When Playboys Ruled the World will air on ITV1 in November and examines the close relationship between the two British world champions who, despite their different disciplines and backgrounds, became like brothers.
1976 Formula 1 champion Hunt and two-time motorcycle world champion Sheene became national heroes, as famous for the party lifestyle they led away from the track as their achievements on it.
The documentary contrasts public and media attitudes towards the private lives of Hunt and Sheene in comparison to the heavily scrutinised lifestyles of today’s multi-million pound sports stars.
Produced by the team behind ITV Sport’s Grierson-nominated documentary Clough, When Playboys Ruled the World mixes original interviews with Hunt and Sheene with exceptional archive footage and new opinion from friends, family members and industry experts.
Contributors include Barry’s widow, Stephanie Sheene, James’s brother, David Hunt, Sir Stirling Moss, Max Mosley, Murray Walker, Max Clifford and Kelvin MacKenzie.
Niall Sloane, ITV Controller of Sport said: “James Hunt and Barry Sheene were the last of a generation whose lifestyles, as much as their huge success on the track, made them sporting heroes.
“This new documentary tells the fascinating story of two of Britain’s greatest motorsport champions and looks at a way of life and a friendship which probably would not exist in the modern sporting and media world.”
ITV-f1.com, Oct 27.