Channel 4 to scale new heights with urban free solo climbing doc

Channel 4 has commissioned a feature-length documentary following 24-year-old urban free solo climber Adam Lockwood as he attempts his most dangerous and ambitious climb yet, scaling the Eiffel Tower without ropes or safety equipment.

Produced by Oxford Scientific Films, part of ITV Studios, Skyclimber: Scaling the Eiffel Tower charts Adam’s journey from a turbulent childhood in Wigan and periods of homelessness and prison, to becoming one of the world’s most notorious urban climbers and one of the free solo community’s youngest stars. Known for illegally scaling some of the world’s tallest buildings, Adam became the first person to climb to the top of The Shard, and has built a global following for his breathtaking stunts performed hundreds of metres above the ground.

Beyond the adrenaline-fuelled climbs, the film explores the emotional and psychological story behind Adam’s search for identity, belonging and purpose. Through intimate access to Adam and those closest to him, the documentary examine a life coming to terms with neurodiversity and mental health challenges, his experience as a homeless teenager and his clashes with the law and spell in prison.

Helen Conlan, Executive Producer for Oxford Scientific Films, said: “The search for belonging and purpose is something we all share. For Adam, it has taken him hundreds of metres into the sky with breath-taking skill and focus. Watching him climb is incredible—not just for his discipline and courage, but also for his generosity, his desire to help others, and his quiet humanity, which will deeply resonate with viewers of every age.”

Nick Hardie, Producer, Director and Cinematographer, said: "At its heart, this story is a raw and emotional portrait of a man fighting to overcome his personal trauma and find meaning through his remarkable gift. It confronts our perceptions of masculinity and mental health, and asks whether we too would have the courage to show the same fearlessness in the face of such adversity.

Sacha Mirzoeff, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4, said: “We are thankful to Adam for being generous and brave enough to share his innermost thoughts and feelings so openly with Nick, Helen and the team during this jaw-dropping production. He’s found community and meaning in the climbing world and feels he literally needs to free climb in order to survive. However he approaches every single step with astonishing preparation, planning and training, which has propelled him to become one of the finest climbers in the world. The audience can witness the vertiginous consequences of that first-hand as he takes on France’s tallest building.”

SKYCLIMBER: SCALING THE EIFFEL TOWER is produced, filmed and directed by Nick Hardie for Oxford Scientific Films, part of ITV Studios. Executive Producer is Helen Conlan. The Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 is Sacha Mirzoeff.