‘HIS OWN WORDS’ 

Recording my podcast is draining but it’s important I have my say, says Ian Bailey on new self-produced series

• Published: 19:08, 3 Feb 2023
• Updated: 20:59, 4 Feb 2023

IAN Bailey has revealed how recording his own podcast has been draining – but says it’s an important process for him to have his say.

The Englishman has vowed to set the record straight, in his new podcast Ian Bailey: His Own Words, to be released in the coming weeks.

French filmmaker Sophie was brutally murdered at her West Cork holiday home in December 1996.

Bailey featured in two documentaries about the murder — Jim Sheridan’s Murder At The Cottage, which was made for Sky, and Netflix’s Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, but has always denied any involvement.

He told the Irish Sun: “Things are just the way they are. But the important thing for me in this is that I’m having my say and I’m recording it for posterity.” 

Listeners can tune into the first episode for free which covers Bailey’s background.

 

The second episode delves into the case of French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier – but listeners will need to pay a fee.

He said: “The second episode is called from Paradise Found to Paradise Lost. 

“That was a real problem for me to write because it was like covering 20 [years]… A huge chunk of time.”

Bailey will be releasing the new podcast in the next two weeks via streaming sites and his own website.

The former journalist said: “I’m actually in effect directing and producing all myself. It’s quite onerous.”

Some 26 years on from the murder of Sophie, Gardai have reopened the case. 

Gardai are hoping to speak with director Jim Sheridan about new information he has over the murder.

The movie legend who made the five-part Sky series Murder at the Cottage; The Search for Justice for Sophie, believes the answer to the murder lies in France.

Bailey feels the new investigations will help clear his name. 

The 66-year-old underwent a “rebeautification” in the barbers chair for his birthday last week.

But it’s his TikTok followers that keep him feeling young. 

He said: “I’m the king of the TikTok shout outs.”

After requests from viewers, Bailey records a short video naming the viewer, giving them a shout out or wishing them luck or congratulations for a small fee. 

“I don’t know what it is but they all seem to love me. I mean, it’s really gratifying.”

He added: “I don’t feel like a pensioner. I still feel like a 16 year old but that’s another story.”