A Very British Sex Scandal: The Love Child & the Secretary, 1 May 2024, Channel 5

A Very British Sex Scandal returns with a new series, taking a sneak peek into the lives of Britain’s political elite and the scandals that rocked their worlds. This time it’s an exploration into the story of Cecil Parkinson, a millionaire politician and Margaret Thatcher’s suave lieutenant, whose promising career was abruptly cut short by a sensational media storm.

The episode, airing on Channel 5 on Wednesday, 1 May, focuses on the eve of the 1983 General Election. Cecil Parkinson, a charming and popular figure, is tipped for a top job in Thatcher’s cabinet. However, rumours begin to circulate in Fleet Street about his secret lover, his secretary Sara Keays, and their 12-year affair. As their relationship and Keays’ pregnancy are revealed, a media frenzy ensues, overshadowing the Conservative Party Conference and forcing Parkinson’s resignation.

The scandal has far-reaching consequences, with Parkinson banished to the political wilderness and Keays pursued by the media. Thatcher, however, remains loyal to Parkinson and resurrects his political career four years later. But behind closed doors, Parkinson spends decades locked in a legal battle with Keays, trying to prevent any mention of their daughter, a child he never met.

A Very British Sex Scandal airs on Channel 5 at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, 1 May 2024.