On December 18th 1987, the UK’s BBC Two broadcast ‘Remember Terry’. It was a documentary about the life – and ultimate death – of Terry Madeley, one of the first people in the UK to go public about their AIDS diagnosis.

The programme followed Terry through the last 18 months or so of his life with the producer, Pattie Coldwell, talking to him as well as a range of others who were part of his life. Participants ranged from family and friends to doctors and former colleagues. His mother features strongly and she talks quite openly throughout, from the point where we first meet Terry, through the different phases of his illness to his funeral and ‘after party’.

In fact the whole film is an intimate portrait of the man and the way his illness impacts on him and those around him. It was filmed at a time when AZT was just being rolled out as a potential anti-viral treatment. This serves to highlight the uncertainty that marked the early years of HIV and AIDS. At one point, for example, we learn that Terry’s treatment for tuberculosis is, effectively, keeping him alive. And then he is given AZT, which a doctor describes as “a bit of a shot in the dark” that may bring with it a number of side effects. These side effects include anaemia and, sadly, Terry ultimately succumbs to this.

Throughout it all, Terry tries to make light of his illness. For example, at one point during his hospitalisation he is given any oxygen mask to help him breathe. He likens it to those worn on aircraft bombers. “Wear this three times and you get free membership of the Red Arrows”, he says.

His lightheartedness carries all the way through to his funeral, where mourners are instructed not to wear black. Just in case they don’t get the point, his coffin is brought into the chapel to the strains of “There’s No Business Like Show Business”. And at the end it slides through the curtains to Liza Minnelli singing “Life Is A Cabaret”.

This was an immensely informative documentary for a range of audiences at the time. From the basic (but much needed) message that HIV was not easily transmitted through to difficulties and uncertainties of managing an AIDS diagnosis. Even now it serves as a valuable historical record of the early days of HIV/AIDS.