GTC Vice President reveals rare Bowie footage

GTC Vice President John Henshall has been speaking of the moment he realised he owned 'lost' footage of David Bowie on Top of the Pops. John had retained a copy of Bowie performing Jean Genie in 1973. "I couldn't believe I was the only one with it. I just thought you wouldn't be mad enough to wipe a tape like that."

The tape was unveiled on Sunday at an event held by the British Film Institute. The annual event, Missing Believed Wiped, was the first time the footage had been seen since January 1973. 

John had kept it because he wanted it for his showreel. In the footage he used Telefex Fisheye lenses which he had designed himself. He also ended up in the background of one of the shots. After the recording he asked producers for a personal copy on 2in (5cm) broadcast videotape.

Bowie's performance of Jean Genie was recorded on 3 January 1973 and transmitted the following day for the first and only time. The first transmission of Jean Genie since that day will be in a BBC4 documentary, Tales of Television Centre, to be broadcast in the new year.