The channel has confirmed the fly-on-the-wall series will not now air as planned
ITV has scrapped a reality TV show about a football club after its stadium was raided by police as part of an investigation into alleged human trafficking for sexual exploitation and rape.
Police officers, including a forensics team, were seen at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium in Maldon, home of Essex non-league club Maldon & Tiptree FC, on Wednesday afternoon. Officers had earlier forced entry into a mansion in Danbury, Essex, belonging to club owner Barrie Drewitt-Barlow.
Police, who also searched a property in Braintree, confirmed that two men, aged 57 and 32, remain in custody and are being questioned by detectives. Drewitt-Barlow, who bought the Isthmian League club last year, and his husband, Scott Drewitt-Barlow, were both set to star in Up The Jammers, a series about their running the club.
However, ITV has confirmed the fly-on-the-wall documentary, which was due to hit the screens on Wednesday, will not air. A spokesperson told the Star: “ITV has decided to remove Up The Jammers from the upcoming schedule. It will no longer be shown on ITV4 or ITVX as previously advertised.”
Drewitt-Barlow had said “nothing” would be hidden in the six-part show that followed his club and their battle to win promotion. But it will not now air as planned due to the ongoing investigation.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Detectives leading an investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation, rape and other sexual offences have today, Wednesday, May 6 made two arrests and carried out a series of warrants.
“Officers from the Serious Crime Directorate at Essex Police have today carried out coordinated searches of premises in Danbury, Maldon and Braintree as part of their investigation. Searches remain ongoing at all of the locations.
“Two men from Danbury have also been arrested. A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of: rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance.
“A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and administering a noxious substance. Both men remain in custody where they are being questioned by detectives.”
Detective Inspector Lydia George, who is leading the investigation, said: “If anyone has any information they feel ready to share with us, I would ask them to contact us via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) and the investigation team will provide you with any specialist support required.”
Drewitt-Barlow and ex-husband Tony Drewitt-Barlow became the first gay couple to father children through surrogacy in the UK. But after their marriage fell apart, Barrie hit the headlines when he fell for their daughter’s boyfriend, Scott.
Barrie has five children with his ex-husband, Tony. Although the couple have separated, they still live together under one roof with their new partners. The Drewitt-Barlow Stadium was due to be used as a polling station for Thursday’s local elections, but an announcement on Wednesday evening confirmed that voting had been moved to a nearby leisure centre.
Doug Wilkinson, deputy returning officer at Maldon District Council, apologised to voters. In a statement, he said: “In light of an ongoing police investigation, I have made the decision to relocate the polling station from the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium to Blackwater Leisure Centre.
“Voters who were due to be voting at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium will be re-directed to Blackwater Leisure Centre and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause due to the very late change.”