The Footballer, His Wife And The Crash and The Football Fraudster snapped up by broadcaster
Collective Media Group has scored a double commission from ITV.
The Footballer, His Wife, And The Crash has been commissioned for ITVBe. It has exclusive access to the story of Emma Samuel, the widow of the ex-Premier League ace Jlloyd Samuel, the two-part documentary reveals the truth behind the shocking story which has emerged since the player’s tragic death in 2018 when his Range Rover collided with a van and burst into flames, killing him instantly.
Portrayed from the perspective of his wife Emma, this film will reveal how, following Samuel’s 2018 death, she discovered not only that he had seriously mismanaged his Premier League fortune, but also that he had a secret second life. It will show how the footballing dream that started on the streets of Bow in East London, became a nightmare, as gambling debts, injury and family tensions came to the fore.
The Footballer, His Wife and The Crash is produced by Arianna Perretta, directed by Benedict Adams and executive produced by Claire McArdle, Rebecca Knight and Sam Bickley for Collective Media Group.
Meanwhile, The Football Fraudster has been commissioned for ITVX. The 90-minute film explores the story of Medi Abalimba, a former footballer who took on the identities of a Premier League star, rapper, MI6 agent and US Navy Seal. With access to those scammed, such as ex-partner, Love Island’s Georgia Steel, this documentary will tell the story from the victims’ perspective, revealing the lengths Abalimba went to in his elaborate cons.
The Football Fraudster is executive produced by Claire McArdle, Rebecca Knight and Sam Bickley for Collective Media Group.
McArdle, who is co-CEO of Collective Media Group, said: “These are both remarkable and cautionary tales, and we would like to thank all who took part for sharing their experiences with us. Both are stories of our time – asking questions around how well we really know the people we build relationships with.
“I’m delighted that, in a short period of time, we have developed a reputation as the company who can get access to outstanding stories and world-class sporting talent.”
Both documentaries were commissioned by ITV factual commissioning editor Satmohan Panesar, who said: “With the lives of the rich and famous mainlined into the consciousness of the public, these films go beyond the superficial glamour we see in our daily media diet and provide an insight into the human reality behind the scenes, revealing how the pressures of life in that world can lead to excessive behaviour, criminality and tragedy. These films will bring to ITV and ITVX the intimate perspective, inside access and dramatic human narrative that the best factual films can offer.”
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