The Trial of Christine Keeler

Original version

The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

BBC One East

Drama: Biographical

Drama: Legal & Courtroom

Drama: Political

The story of the woman at the centre of one of the 20th century’s biggest scandals.

When 19-year-old model Christine finds herself in a love triangle with a spy and a minister, the whole establishment comes tumbling down. The story that shocked Britain.

Series 1

BBC One London

London

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

BBC One HD

BBC One North West

The BBC West region started on 1st September 1957 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One West.

BBC One West

The BBC South West region started on 20th April 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South West.

BBC One South West

BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

BBC One East Midlands

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region that included London and part of the South region. Separated from BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One South East

BBC One Oxfordshire

BBC One West Midlands

The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

BBC One South

BBC One Wales

Wales

BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

BBC One Northern Ireland

Simulcast of BBC One Scotland in high definition. From 14/01/2013

BBC One Scotland HD

BBC One Channel Islands

BBC One Yorkshire

The BBC North East & Cumbria region started in 1959 (tbc) as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One North East & Cumbria.

BBC One North East & Cumbria

BBC One Yorks & Lincs

BBC One Scotland

Scotland

Simulcast of BBC One Northern Ireland in high definition. From 24/10/2012

BBC One Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC One Wales in high definition. From 29/01/2013

BBC One Wales HD

BBC One Cambridgeshire

Sophie Cookson

James Norton

Ellie Bamber

Emilia Fox

Ben Miles

Michael Maloney

Tim McInnerny

Visar Vishka

Amanda Coe

Andrea Harkin

Rebecca Ferguson

Ecosse Films

Great Meadow Productions

The Trial of Christine Keeler: Series 1: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC One - The Trial of Christine Keeler, Series 1, Episode 2

Christine Keeler tells her story to the press, and a chill wind blows for John Profumo.

The shooting at Wimpole Mews leads to press attention, and Christine decides to sell her story. A chill wind begins to blow for War Minister John Profumo.

London, New Year 1963. The shooting at Wimpole Mews has led to court proceedings against Christine’s former lover, Johnny, and attracted press attention towards Christine and Mandy. Christine has also been recognised by a tabloid journalist. He presses her on rumours of an affair between her and a high-flying government minister. 

Christine is tempted by the offer of money for her story. But she must first convince the newspaper it is both true and sensational enough to risk a libel suit. She considers adding that, while sleeping with the minister of war, she also spent a night with Stephen Ward’s Russian diplomat friend, Captain Ivanov, and that during the affair she was encouraged to relay the minister’s military secrets. 

As Christine talks to the press, she and Mandy continue to live with Ward. He enjoys the controversy but urges media discretion. He is still under MI5 surveillance and must reassure Captain Ivanov that the press's focus on Christine will die down soon. 

Meanwhile, Profumo denies any connection to the girl in the newspapers, but his colleagues and his wife, the actress Valerie Hobson, start making the connection. A police visit to Christine and Mandy then tips off a local police sergeant to Stephen’s unusual lifestyle. As Christine sets out her story and the establishment scrambles to discover the truth, Christine and Profumo recall the early passions of their whirlwind summer affair.

The Trial of Christine Keeler: Series 1

BBC One

The story of the woman at the centre of one of the 20th century's biggest scandals.

The powerful want her silenced – but she won’t play by the rules. The story of the woman at the heart of one of the 20th century's biggest scandals, which changed Britain forever.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Trial of Christine Keeler

Series 1

Episode 2

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC One East

About BBC One