W5 Lifts Curtain in World Exclusive: Reclusive Hollywood Legend and MS Sufferer Annette Funicello, Oct. 6 on CTV

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Toronto, ON (October 2, 2012) – This week, W5 takes an exclusive and intimate look at the reclusive life of one-time starlet Annette Funicello. Premiering Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV, W5’s “ANNETTE’S STORY” features her husband and caretaker, Glen Holt, as he lifts the curtain on the cruel and devastating effects that MS has had on his wife, and reveals his quest to fund research into a controversial treatment.

For the last 15 years, “America’s Sweetheart” Annette Funicello has been out of the public limelight. One of the first child superstars featured on THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB in the 1950s, Funicello’s star continued to rise when she was featured in a series of hugely popular beach movies alongside co-star Frankie Avalon. But in the early 1990s, Funicello went public with her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis after tabloids began suggesting that her mobility problems were due to alcoholism.

Now, in this world exclusive, CTV’s Avis Favaro, on special assignment for W5, delivers an intimate look at Funicello’s life, and her husband’s quest to fund research for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency, or CCSVI. First reported on W5 in 2009, CCSVI is an experimental treatment developed by Italian vascular surgeon Paolo Zamboni that involves opening narrowed veins in the neck of those with MS to encourage blood flow from the brain. After 25 years of failed efforts, Funicello`s husband has turned to the controversial treatment for his beloved Annette, and reveals plans for the Funicello Foundation to fund new research into it.

Also in this episode, W5’s Victor Malarek takes viewers inside the world of Canadian environmental activist Captain Paul Watson, whose extreme and risky interventions aim to put a stop to the ongoing slaughter of whales and seals. “WATSON’S WAR” focuses on ecological activism and the star of Animal Planet’s WHALE WARS as its leading champion. By using drastic tactics, Captain Watson has been fined and assaulted, but refuses to give up. Founder of The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and a founding member of Greenpeace, Watson has been a high-seas activist for 40 years.

W5’s “ANNETTE’S STORY” and “WATSON’S WAR” can also be seen Sunday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. ET on CTV; on Investigation Discovery on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET, and Wednesdays at 3 a.m. ET, 6a.m. ET and 12Noon ET; and on demand at CTVNews.ca/W5, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners, such as Bell Fibe TV (visit CTV.ca for local listings).

About W5
With an ongoing commitment to covering tough, relevant stories with fair and responsible reporting, W5 is in its 47^th season of investigative journalism. Hosted by Lloyd Robertson, the award-winning series is the most-watched documentary program in Canada. Anton Koschany is Executive Producer of W5. Brett Mitchell is Senior Producer. Wendy Freeman is President of CTV News and Current Affairs.

– CTV –

For more information, contact:

Patricia Garcia, CTV Inc., 416.384.2645 or patricia.garcia@bellmedia.ca

Renee Dupuis, CTV Inc., 416.384.3154 or renee.dupuis@bellmedia.ca