The two-part documentary for BBC Two and BBC Scotland tells of an eye-opening business story
“It’s still unclear where this story will end, but there’s no better time to go back to understand where it all began, revealing the foundations of one of the most astonishing stories in the recent history of British business.” — Simon Young, BBC Head of Commissioning, History
PHOTO: Michelle Mone (Image: Alamy / PA Media)
Published: December 19, 2024 — BBC Factual and BBC Scotland have commissioned a two-part documentary for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer, The Rise and Fall of Michelle Mone (w/t), which tells the extraordinary story of Baroness Mone of Mayfair, the millionaire lingerie entrepreneur, who became notorious for a PPE scandal in the aftermath of Covid.
The documentary will tell one of the most eye-opening business stories of our times. Michelle Mone was born and raised in the East End of Glasgow. After working as a model, she created the Iingerie company MJM and launched Ultimo, a new type of push-up bra. Riding a wave of entrepreneurial spirit in the 1990s, Mone discovered that she had a knack for promoting and marketing her products with the help of the tabloid press and TV producers. By the 2000s she was one of the most famous business women in Britain, having built a multi-million pound lingerie empire, and in 2015 she was appointed a Baroness.
During the Covid crisis, as a member of the House of Lords, Baroness Mone gained access to the so-called “VIP fast lane” to supply PPE to the government, proposing a company called PPE Medpro. For three years she and her husband Doug Barrowman publicly denied any involvement with the company, which was subsequently accused by the government of supplying faulty PPE. Then, in a high-profile television interview, Michelle Mone later conceded that she had lied to the press about her and Doug’s involvement in PPE Medpro, and that the couple stood to benefit from £60m of profit made on the deal.
The documentary series will hear from many of those who witnessed this rise-and-fall, including friends, former colleagues and advisors, journalists and lawyers involved in her story.
Erica Jenkin, Director, said: “Michelle’s story is a compelling and multi-faceted one to tell. I’m excited by the creative challenge of bringing it to life and exploring what her journey reveals about the societal shifts that have shaped contemporary Britain. “
Simon Young, Head of Commissioning, History, said: “It’s still unclear where this story will end, but there’s no better time to go back to understand where it all began, revealing the foundations of one of the most astonishing stories in the recent history of British business. We’re really excited to be working with Rogan Scotland, and our colleagues at BBC Scotland, to bring this series to the screen.”
David Harron, Commissioning Executive, BBC Scotland, said: “This is a fascinating and remarkable story and we hope that viewers will find this series compelling and thought provoking.”
Mark Hedgecoe from Rogan Scotland, said: “Michelle Mone’s journey is extraordinary. But it’s also a propulsive roller coaster ride through aspects of recent British history – whether the fate of post-industrial cities like Glasgow, the role of entrepreneurs in our country, or the honours system.”
The Rise and Fall of Michelle Mone (w/t), a 2×60’ for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer, is made by Rogan Scotland. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, Scotland and the BBC Commissioning Editors are Simon Young and David Harron. The Executive Producers are Mark Hedgecoe and James Rogan, the Producer is Lesley Shields, and the Director is Erica Jenkin. It will tx in 2025.
Source
BBC TWO
