- Title: The Real John Curry
- Date: 16th March 2003
- Summary: John Curry,Britain's greatest ice-skater - transformed the world of ice dancing. In 1976,more than 20 million British viewers tuned in to watch his astonishing and artistic gold-medal winning performance at the Innsbruck Olympics. But Curry was a troubled personality and his refusal to deny his homosexuality forced his private life into the spotlight. In the face of this public humiliation and huge commercial obstacles he stuck resolutely to his childhood vision of turning ice skating into an art form that could parallel ballet. But it was a journey that ended in tragedy as by the mid 1980s his dreams collapsed in financial ruin and at just 44 he died from an Aids-related illness. Documents John Curry's life,from his troubled childhood,his search for artistic brilliance,to his public 'outing' after his Olympic victory and the illness that culled a generation of his friends and finally robbed him of his life.
- Description:John Curry's story was a 'Billy Elliot' tale of the boy from a rough,impoverished Birmingham family who became Olympic and World champion ice-dancer,launching Britain's decade-long love affair with the sport. But the British never loved their Champion,and his life spiralled into conflict,financial catastophe and ultimately death from AIDS.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:Granada Television Ltd.
- Programme Episode:Episode 1
- Transmission Date:16/03/2003
- Rights:UK and Eire
- Decade: 2000s