Louis Theroux: It was "challenging" to get Anthony Joshua to be vulnerable
"Underneath that there's a lot of vulnerability and certain levels of pain, and I think you see that."
Louis Theroux has returned for a brand new season of his BBC Interviews, sitting down with a fresh batch of celebrities for intimate conversations on their lives and careers.
First in the hot seat is none other than two-time former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who Theroux admits was quite "challenging" when it came to being vulnerable.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press, he explained: "He's someone who has... I don't know if this is true, but I think for boxers in general, I think he's someone who has a sense of how he needs to express himself, which is this inspirational, but vaguely sort of rooted in self-empowerment and self-help ways of thinking, and underneath that there's a lot of vulnerability and certain levels of pain, and I think you see that."
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With the help of his team, Theroux says he managed to unveil the more "human qualities" and a "vulnerable" side of the boxer, 34.
He added: "I think the editor did a brilliant job, and I think a lot of that revolved around dialling that back and scraping away this sense of his need to feel like an inspirational leader and finding the more human qualities.
"That sounds a bit overly harsh, because he's human all the way through, but more vulnerable and emotionally naked in parts."
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As well as Joshua, Theroux will interview the likes of singer Raye, actress Joan Collins, activist Chelsea Manning, actor and rapper Ashley Walters and musician and songwriter Pete Doherty, who are part of the line-up for season two.
And he's already attempting to gather guests for a third season - and has approached Tom Cruise himself.
"The names on the list are basically the ones we've approached but they haven't happened yet. So, Tom Cruise - the door is always open!" he said.
Louis Theroux Interviews season 2 starts on Tuesday 7th November at 9pm on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer.
Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.
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