Tommy twists, Tommy turns, Tommy, Tommy Burns 💚

ONE of Scotland’s leading independent production companies, purpleTV, today (15 May) revealed it is to produce a landmark television documentary on the life of Tommy Burns.

purpleTV, based in Glasgow, made the announcement this morning on the tenth anniversary of Tommy’s death, after a courageous fight with skin cancer.

The film will be shown on BBC ALBA this autumn.

“Tommy Burns” will tell the remarkable story of the life of the Celtic and Scotland great.

It will reflect on his upbringing in Glasgow, his time as a player and manager with the Hoops, his passion for Scotland, and reflect on his final playing days – and the start of life as a manager – with Kilmarnock.

The latest documentary follows a series of acclaimed, award winning purpleTV films in recent years, including Gothenburg 83, Jock Stein, Famous Five, Jim Baxter, Jimmy Johnstone, Tannadice 87, and Third Lanark.

Of these films, Tannadice 87 was shortlisted for this year’s RTS Scotland Awards; Jock Stein previously won an RTS Scotland Award for Best Sport Programme in 2015; and Jimmy Johnstone was shortlisted for a Celtic Media Festival Award, last year (2017).

Speaking today, purpleTV director Margot McCuaig, who will write, produce and direct the film, revealed her own emotional connection to Tommy Burns:

“I was working at Celtic Park on the day Tommy Burns returned to the club as manager and I continued to have a working relationship with him until he sadly died.

“He was an inspirational figure and it was always a pleasure to be in his company.

“I’m honoured to be telling his remarkable story and I’m delighted that his family, colleagues and friends are being so supportive and willing to share their memories.

“Tommy was an ordinary man who through hard work and determination made an inedible impression on life and this film will rightly mark his contribution to Scottish cultural history.

“Unsurprisingly the film will be focusing on three themes central to Tommy; family, faith and football. I very much look forward to sharing his story with audiences in the autumn.”