Documentary to follow homeless newsreader

A new documentary is to follow the story of a former ITN newsreader who became a homeless alcoholic.

Ed Mitchell made headlines last month when it emerged that he was sleeping on a park bench after £250,000 credit card debts forced him to sell his family home in East Sussex.

The 54-year-old had previously enjoyed a successful career, earning a £100,000 salary and interviewing major figures including Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair.

ITN's Carol Barnes will present the show for ITV after the stories prompted her to find out why her former colleague had fallen on such hard times.

Mitchell will be seen living on the streets of Brighton during the 30-minute film, before checking into rehab at the Priory in London.

An ITV spokesman said: "Ed's story has really captured the public imagination and the film promises to give a real insight into his life and the challenges he faces."

The film, made by TwoFour Productions, will air on ITV later this month.