1/2. A profile of the colourfully controversial, Dutch-born manager of Elvis Presley,
Colonel Tom Parker (born Andreas Cornelius van Kuijk), who died in 1997, aged 87. Contributors include the Colonel's widow, Loanne Parker, producer/director Steve Binder (Elvis - '68 Comeback Special), guitarist Scotty Moore, hotel and casino magnate Barron Hilton, and members of the inner circle of Presley's entourage. Presented by Rob Brydon.
Producers Rob Alexander and Mark John

The rags-to-riches life of Elvis Presley has been dissected many times, but what do we know of the King's manager, Colonel Tom Parker (above)? In this absorbing two-part profile, actor, comedian and self-confessed Elvis fan Rob Brydon reveals a sharp-witted chameleon whose sleight-of-hand disposition polarised the opinions of both public and friends. Was he the villain of the piece or an oft-misunderstood, well-intentioned impresario? Little is known of Parker's early years: he was born and raised in Holland (where he was rumoured to have committed murder) but left in 1929 to eke out a living in Depression-hit America. A move to Nashville in the 1940s saw him managing singer Eddy Arnold, but it was in Memphis during the early 1950s that he first came him into contact with Presley. With contributions from Parker's widow Loanne and Presley's guitarist Scotty Moore. Chris Gardner