However, biographer Hamish Ross points out that with no evidence at all, it is unfair to make such a claim about Mayne's life. He argued Mayne was a deeply private and misunderstood person, devastated by the loss of his best friend. Because he dealt with his grief differently, Ross asks that speculation regarding his sexuality be left out of the discussion. How did Paddy Mayne die? According to the Irish Post, Eoin McGonigal was Mayne’s best friend and possibly his only confidante. Accompanied by Mayne's shyness around women and drunken outbursts, historians have questioned the relationship between the pair. Some believed Mayne managed his feeling with alcohol, because he was a repressed homosexual. It is unknown why the decision was made to deny Paddy Mayne the Victoria Cross, and a controversy that remains ongoing to this day. Author Martin Dillon was one of the first to question Mayne's sexuality. He told the Belfast Telegraph "Raising questions about his personal life, and conflicted sexuality, were not intended to besmirch his reputation. As I pointed out, there was no evidence he was a practicing homosexual, but I raised questions about his sexuality, as did some of those who served with him." Television shows based on real events can ignite hours of internet searching - about the events themselves, and the people behind the action. Steven Knight’s historical drama SAS: Rogue Heroes, is no different. Based on a book of the same name by Ben Macintyre, the show has caused a surge of interest in the founding members of the SAS and their lives outside of the regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Blair "Paddy" Mayne is one of the real life characters under focus in the series. The British Army officer had many talents, and was one of the British Army's most highly decorated soldiers. He was also followed by controversy - read on to find out who Paddy Mayne was, and what happened to him when he left the SAS.

Paddy Mayne didn't ever confirm his sexuality, and rumours he was gay appear to be speculation arising from authors and historians that has never been substantiated. Spring, 1943. With David Stirling captured and Paddy Mayne now in charge of the SAS, their attention must turn from the conflict in North Africa to mainland Europe. But GHQ have cast doubt over the future of the regiment, while the creation of a new unit and a surprise arrival make things even more difficult for the men. Can they prove that the SAS remains essential to the war, wherever it may lead them? Further new cast members for series two include Paolo De Vita (Anonymous, La Grande Guerra del Salento), Anna Manuelli (Blocco 181, Pezzi unici), Edward Bennett (Industry, Save Me Too) and Matteo Franco. SAS Rogue Heroes stormed on to BBC One and iPlayer last Autumn, becoming a huge hit with viewers and critics alike, attracting an audience of 9.4 million viewers (30-day all screens episode 1 figure). Inspired by Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book of the same name, series two will again be a dramatised account of the origins of the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS.

Introduction to SAS Rogue Heroes by writer Steven Knight

Paddy Mayne died in a car crash on Tuesday December 13, 1955. When the war came to an end, he returned to his hometown of Newtownards and resumed his work as a solicitor. He also became Secretary of the Law Society of Northern Ireland. The A Word: Ending explained and everything you need to know about the BBC drama ahead of spin-off Ralph and Katie release SAS Rogue Heroes will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, MGM+ in the United States, and is distributed internationally by Banijay Rights. Exactly what Sunday nights have been missing… sure to leave fans crying out for more” ★★★★ – Radio Times

Bloodlands season 2 ending explained: What happened in the finale of the James Nesbitt police drama? The injustice surrounding the denial of the award was raised as an Early Day Motion before the House of Commons in 2005, and over 100 MPs signed it. King George IV was even quoted in it, who reportedly was open in expressing his surprise that Mayne was downgraded from the Victoria Cross. The government ignored the call to reinstate Mayne with the award, which has again come to the forefront of the public's minds with the release of SAS: Rogue heroes. Filming has just begun on series two of the hit BBC drama SAS Rogue Heroes, created by Steven Knight and made by Kudos (a Banijay UK company) for the BBC with MGM+. According to Den of Geek, there is speculation Mayne’s reputation as a troublemaker could be to blame - he was prone to regular outbursts of violence, especially after drinking. Other sources have argued that downgrading a Victoria Cross to a fourth DSO was standard practice, and Mayne was not the only soldier this happened to.SAS Rogue Heroes is distributed internationally by Banijay Rights, which has sold the series to multiple global broadcasters and streaming services including MGM+ in the US, HBO Max in Europe, Prime Video in Canada, SBS in Australia, STARZPLAY in the Middle East, Paramount+ in Germany and Canal+ in France. Hardy was never slated for the role, which was always going to be O'Connell's. Series writer Steven Knight told The Times the show would highlight the psychology of the men behind it. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{