Who is Martin Bashir? The X Factor: Celebrity star behind controversial Michael Jackson documentary

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WE take a look at the life of Martin Bashir, who’s winning over fans in X Factor: Celebrity.

Here’s the lowdown on his controversial career in news so far – including THAT Michael Jackson documentary…

Does Martin Bashir have any singing experience?

Martin is taking part in X Factor: Celebrity.

By his own admission Martin has had no singing experience other than singing ‘no diggity’ in the car with his children.

However he wowed the judges when he took to the stage in the first round of judges’ houses with his charming rendition of Frank Sinatra’s Love.

Martin is famous for THAT Michael Jackson interview

Why is Martin Bashir famous?

Martin is a 56-year-old English journalist who has worked for the BBC, NBC and MSNBC.

He shot to fame in the 90s when he interviewed Princess Diana about her failed marriage to Prince Charles

Since then he has conducted many high profile interviews with controversial people.

This includes Louise Woodward (who as a teenager was famously accused of murdering a baby in her care), the five suspects in the Stephen Lawrence case, Michael Barrymore, Jeffrey Archer, Major Charles Ingram, and of course Michael Jackson.

Martin is known for his controversial interviews

When was Martin Bashir’s controversial Michael Jackson documentary?

In 2003, Martin conducted a series of interviews with Michael Jackson, as part of an ITV documentary Living with Michael Jackson.

There were was an outcry following the show, mainly to do with Michael’s relationship with a teenage cancer patient called Gavin Arvizo.

In response, Jackson and his personal cameraman released a rebuttal interview, which showed Martin complimenting Jackson for the “spiritual” quality of the Neverland Ranch.

At the time Martin defended the documentary, stating: “I don’t believe that I’ve betrayed Michael Jackson at all. I agreed that we would make an honest film about his life.

“The film was fair to his musical achievement and gave him every opportunity to explain himself. I’m not accusing anybody of being a child molester or a paedophile.”

After Jackson’s death in 2009, Jackson’s former manager Dieter Wiesner said of Martin’s documentary: “It broke [Jackson]. It killed him. He took a long time to die, but it started that night. Previously the drugs were a crutch, but after that they became a necessity.”

Jackson was not happy with his portrayal on the 2003 documentary

When did Martin Bashir interview Princess Diana?

In 1995 Martin famously interviewed Princess Diana about the downfall of her marriage to Prince Charles.

This was a first for the Royal family and seen as a very controversial move by the late princess.

One famous quote from the interview was when Martin asked Di about Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles,and if it was a factor in the breakdown of her marriage to which Diana replied: “Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.”

Martin shot to fame when he interview princess Di in 1995

Is Martin Bashir married and does he have children?

Martin is married.

He and his wife Deborah have three children.

They are called Samuel, Phoebe and Eliza.

When does The X Factor: Celebrity start?

The X Factor: Celebrity kicked off on October 12.

It continues each week at the same time of 8.30pm on ITV.

Find out more aboutThe X Factor: Celebrity line-up here.

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