The Execution of Gary Glitter is a ninety-minute 2009 mockumentary that follows the imaginary trial and execution by hanging of Gary Glitter for 'offences against children'.[1] [2] Set in an imaginary Britain in which the death sentence has been reintroduced, the drama examines the possible consequences of capital punishment when Glitter is put on trial as a paedophile under imagined Capital Crimes Against Children legislation. The drama was written by Rob Coldstream and starred Hilton McRae as Glitter.[3] Former politician Ann Widdecombe and journalists Miranda Sawyer and Garry Bushell appeared as themselves in the film, discussing the fictional trial and execution.
The Execution of Gary Glitter was screened at Sheffield Doc/Fest and was nominated for the The Sheffield Innovation Award.
The programme was described by the Radio Times as "a strange, often repellent film... and you might just feel a bit grubby afterwards." [4] It also featured in Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe Review Of The Year 2009, during which Brooker remarked "That's certainly made me think - it's made me think 'I don't know if I want a television any more.'" It was a hit with the viewing audience and gave Channel 4 one of its highest ratings for the year.
Glitter lodged a complaint with Ofcom about the show, alleging unfair treatment. The complaint was not upheld.[5]