Sir Mo Farah will be opening up about his childhood trauma after revealing that he was trafficked into the UK as a child under a different name.
In his latest BBC documentary, titled The Real Mo Farah, the Olympic legend revealed that he came to Britain illegally and was treated like a servant by the family he initially lived with.
Speaking in his upcoming tell-all the father-of-four, 39, said: ‘Most people know me as Mo Farah but it’s not my name or it’s not the reality.
‘I had no idea there was so many people who are going through exactly the same thing that I did. It just goes to show how lucky I was. What really saved me, what made me different, was that I could run.’
But what time does the special start and where can you watch it?
What time is Mo Farah’s documentary on TV?
The Real Mo Farah will air tonight at 9pm.
During the documentary, the athlete visits his childhood home in Hounslow, but it holds difficult memories for him.
Sir Mo said he thought he was going to Europe to live with relatives and went through a passport check at the age of nine under the name Mohamed.
‘I had all the contact details for my relative and once we got to her house, the lady took it off me and right in front of me ripped them up and put it in the bin and at that moment I knew I was in trouble,’ he recalled.
‘If I wanted food in my mouth my job was to look after those kids, shower them, cook for them, clean for them, and she said, “If you ever want to see your family again, don’t say anything. If you say anything, they will take you away.”
How to watch Mo Farah’s documentary?
The documentary will premiere tonight on BBC One and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Sir Mo has been commended for facing ‘unimaginable pain’ and speaking out about his story while ‘shining a light’ on global issues.
Sonya Sceats, chief executive at Freedom From Torture, said: ‘Wherever we come from, when faced with the lethal impact of war and persecution all of us would do whatever it takes to ensure our family and loved ones are safe.
‘Sir Mo’s tragic story reveals the fear and shame that our punitive immigration system forces many trafficked people to live with.
‘Survivors of human cruelty should be treated with compassion, not threatened with retribution or a one-way ticket to Rwanda.
The UK Home Office revealed on Wednesday that it would be taking no action ‘whatsoever’ against the athlete.
A Number 10 spokesman said of the Olympic champion: ‘He is a sporting hero, he is an inspiration to people across the country.
‘It is a shocking reminder of the horrors that people face when they are trafficked. And we must continue to clamp down on these criminals who take advantage of vulnerable people.’
The Real Mo Farah airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
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