David Bowie: Finding Fame – BBC2

David Bowie, formally known as David Jones
(Image credit: BBC/Alamy/Pictorial Press)

A look at the early influences that made David Bowie a music icon

A look at the early influences that made David Bowie an icon

This is the third Bowie film from Francis Whately, whose previous offerings looked at the singer’s final recordings and reinventions.

Here, he traces Bowie’s early life, and we hear from the likes of childhood pal George Underwood – whose punch led to one of David’s eyes changing colour – and, in her only filmed interview, his first love, Hermione Farthingale.

David Bowie: Finding Fame – BBC2. David in 1965

David in 1965

There’s even some rare Ziggy Stardust footage thought to have been ‘lost for ever’.

It’s a picture of a hugely ambitious young man, keen to experiment (both with music and make-up!), though perhaps The Laughing Gnome was one experiment best forgotten.

Catch a repeat of Bowie’s 2000 Glastonbury set on BBC4, 10.55pm.

TV Times rating: *****

 

Mandy Cooper
TV Times Highlights Editor

As TV Times Highlights Editor I get to hear about all the latest TV shows coming soon. Here at TVT HQ we are in the privileged position of selecting the best programmes from across all the channels and streaming platforms. Our mission is to make it easier for our readers to decide what to watch - and give them lots of choice of genres - all the latest shows, plus some nostalgic choices we call hidden gems, too. My career began with a postgraduate degree in periodical journalism (ahem, yes old school!) in 1991 and I’ve worked in TV media since 2000.