Gangster: The Story of Viv Graham

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Gangster

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The boxer turned bouncer who was gunned down on Tyneside in 1993

Viv Graham ran a pub and club protection empire which spanned Newcastle and beyond.

How did he build his fearsome reputation, and what led to his brutal, unsolved murder?

A new series of Gangster tells the story of Viv Graham, a man who ran a protection empire which spanned Newcastle and beyond.

Viv Graham, a 17-stone man mountain, a man feared and revered in equal measure, came to dominate Tyneside’s nightlife through brutal and uncompromising violence.

His murder, in an organised hit on New Year’s Eve 1993, sparked recriminations and repercussions which echo to this day. It remains one of the country’s most notorious unsolved murders.

The Story of Viv Graham

Gangster: The Story of Viv Graham: Viv Graham: 2. Whack ’Em and Catch ’Em

Viv Graham: 2. Whack ’Em and Catch ’Em

BBC Radio 5 Live - Gangster, The Story of Viv Graham, Viv Graham: 2. Whack ’Em and Catch ’Em

Pub and club enforcer Viv Graham builds a protection empire and nobody can stop him.

Viv Graham served his apprenticeship working a nightclub door in Gateshead but he had much bigger ambitions. He set about building a protection empire which spanned Tyneside.

Viv Graham, a young man from the country, is about to land in the city and make a very big impression. In fact he’s going to take over the town. 
This episode charts Viv Graham’s meteoric rise. It follows in his footsteps as he went from being a complete unknown, to single-handedly controlling a pub and club door protection empire, which spanned Newcastle and beyond. 
Viv’s first move was to approach one of the city’s most colourful characters – Paul Tucker Grant – a doorman and boxer, who’d later go on to have a glittering acting career. With Paul’s help Viv got his first door – a nightclub in Gateshead. Viv quickly grew a reputation for ruthless efficiency. Troublemakers would be removed and dispatched and no matter who they were they wouldn’t cross Viv Graham. He became known, feared and revered in equal measure. This was a man who would never pick up a weapon but nor would he shy away from dealing with anyone who crossed his path.
 More and more pub and club owners sought out Viv’s services and an empire formed – right at the moment Newcastle was exploding as a party capital. The city’s historic Bigg Market was transformed with dozens of trendy new bars and restaurants, while the Tuxedo Princess, a ferry turned nightclub moored on the Tyne, drew in revellers from far and wide.
Viv was well on his way to dominating the city’s bouncing nightlife and anyone who crossed him would face the consequences.

Presenter – Livvy Haydock 
Series Producer – Ben Robinson 
Technical Producer – Richard Hannaford 
Producer – Patrick Kiteley 
Archive Researcher – Jackie Mccoy 
Journalism Assistant - Tim Fernley
With assistance from Jamie Boyle
Commissioning Executive - Louise Kattenhorn 
Assistant Commissioner – Lorraine Okuefuna 
Editor and Executive Producer – Clare Fordham 

Archive credits 
Emmerdale - Yorkshire Television. 
Byker Grove - Zenith Entertainment. 
The Tube - Tyne Tees Television.

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The story of Viv Graham, the fearsome hardman, gunned down on Tyneside in 1993.

Viv Graham ran a pub and club protection empire which spanned Newcastle and beyond. How did he build his fearsome reputation, and what led to his brutal, unsolved murder?

A new series of Gangster tells the story of Viv Graham, a man who ran a protection empire which spanned Newcastle and beyond.

Viv Graham, a 17-stone man mountain, a man feared and revered in equal measure, came to dominate Tyneside’s nightlife through brutal and uncompromising violence.

His murder, in an an organised hit on New Year’s Eve 1993, sparked recriminations and repercussions which echo to this day. It remains one of the country’s most notorious unsolved murders.

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