Blood On The Dance Floor Doco for BBC One NI and iPlayer

Blood On The Dance Floor, a popular podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, is set to be adapted into a television documentary for BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer. Jordan Dunbar, a journalist who also has experience as a comedian and drag performer in Belfast, will present the hour-long special.

The documentary delves into the unsolved case of Darren Bradshaw, an off-duty police officer who was shot dead in The Parliament Bar in 1997. At that time, the bar was Belfast’s only openly gay establishment. Dunbar examines both Bradshaw’s murder and what it was like to be gay during the Troubles.

The killing occurred during a critical period for the gay scene in Northern Ireland as well as the peace process. Although the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) claimed responsibility for Bradshaw’s death, no one has ever been convicted for the crime.

BBC NI Spotlight will feature new interviews and previously unseen archive footage of the LGBT scene, shedding light on what has been described as “the secret history of being gay in the Troubles.” The Parliament Bar played an essential role in shaping Belfast’s nightlife into what it is today – it was the first openly gay bar open seven days a week, catering to crowds that included world-famous celebrities.

Bradshaw’s murder had a profound impact on the local gay community as speculation swirled regarding who knew he was at the bar and who may have betrayed him. The documentary allows DJs, drag queens, police officers, and other key figures from that time to share their perspectives on those events and how they helped rebuild support for the LGBT community.

Reflecting on his experiences researching this project, Dunbar states: “The Belfast of today is a city transformed but… change [and]…the thriving LGBT scene is all thanks to…pioneering DJs, Drag Queens[,]and ordinary clubbers who wanted that change.”

Dunbar goes on to express his personal connection to Bradshaw’s story, highlighting the complexities of living in a time of both conflict and peace, shame and pride. He believes that this film will uncover the people, music, and places that played crucial roles in shaping Belfast into the vibrant city it is today.

Produced by BBC NI’s acclaimed Spotlight team, Blood On The Dance Floor is set to premiere on Tuesday 19 March at 10:40 PM on BBC One Northern Ireland and will also be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer. This adaptation aims to bring the gripping story of Darren Bradshaw’s murder and its impact on Belfast’s LGBT community to a wider audience through the power of visual storytelling.