"The Real Richard Desmond", which aired last night on Channel 4 at 10.40pm, saw Desmond chart his rise from a North London school drop-out to one of the country's leading press barons.
However, what viewers finally got to see is not quite what was first filmed. The first cut was understood to be something of a whitewash, but by the time it made screens last night it was a case of all change as the public got to see a family man who wanted to do more for charity, cue shot of Desmond doing charity work.
Viewers, who have Channel 4 director of programmes Tim Gardam to thank for the programme that finally aired, were treated to the rags to riches story and the hardships he had endured and how he started cutting his first deals as a child.
The mafia links were rubbished -- Desmond revealed he does not even like Italian restaurants.
Desmond paid £125m for Express Newspapers nearly three years ago, beating rivals The Telegraph and the Daily Mail. His already tarnished reputation hit new lows when he slashed costs at the business, laying off 130 journalists.
He was also seen to be using his connections with celebrities such as the Beckhams to fill the papers with gossip and then launched into a bitter war with rivals Associated Newspapers, publisher of Express competitor The Daily Mail.
He has since launched the Daily Star Sunday, which is affecting sales of Trinity Mirror's The People, and is threatening to launch a daily freesheet that will go head to head with his arch rival, Associated's Evening Standard.
The programme saw Desmond share anecdotes and defend his management style, his character and the products he owns, which include porn magazines such as Asian Babes and Horny Housewives, as well as celebrity weekly OK! and gay title Attitude.
The programme featured interviews with Desmond's former and current business partners and colleagues, as well as media commentators and celebrities including include Express Newspapers editorial director Paul Ashford; president of the National Magazines Company Terry Mansfield; Spectator political editor Peter Oborne; and Jeremy Beadle.
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