Elvis and Me documentary will see Joanna Lumley travel to Graceland

Joanna Lumley is to present a unique documentary on Elvis Presley for ITV.

Elvis and Me will join the actress on a pilgrimage to Graceland to find out more about ‘the King of Rock and Roll’ from his closest surviving friends and family, including ex-wife Priscilla. Joanna bought Elvis’s Hound Dog as a young girl and developed a passion for the legendary performer. Elvis would have turned 80 this year and it is one of the Absolutely Fabulous star’s biggest regrets that she never encountered him personally.

After joining Priscilla at Abbey Road Studios for a recording session of the new Elvis album If I Can Dream with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Joanna accepts Priscilla’s invitation to Graceland for a personal tour of Elvis’s home where Priscilla shares intimate memories about their married life. Joanna also visits the town where Elvis was born and meets his childhood friends and first love, before following his incredible rags to riches story to the iconic Sun Studios where Elvis recorded his first record.

“I have loved Elvis as a devoted fan since I first heard his fabulous voice when I was ten years old. The opportunity to visit Graceland and spend time finding out more about his fascinating life from Priscilla, and those closest to him, was absolutely thrilling.” – Joanna Lumley

Born Elvis Aaron Presley on January 8th 1935, Elvis is one of America’s most famous and loved music performers. Recording his first song demos at the Sun Studios in 1953, he went on to have over ten number one UK chart topping albums, twenty-one number one hit singles in the United Kingdom and estimated record sales of around 600 million singles worldwide.

He is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music while the Love Me Tender singer also went on to star in over thirty movies including Viva Las Vegas and G.I. Blues. During his singing career he won three Grammys, as well as being bestowed the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. While many fans of the singer suggest Elvis never died, and indeed his music will live on forever, the world went into mourning on August 16th 1977 when it was announced by his management and family the star had died aged just 42.