Horizon: The Hawking Paradox

Documentary which examines Professor Stephen Hawking's most controversial theory and possibly his greatest mistake. For thirty years he defended an extraordinary idea - the information paradox - which he finally had to admit was wrong. Hawking's scientific legacy was called into question like never before. For a year Horizon filmed behind the scenes with Hawking as he struggled to finish what many thought was going to be his last scientific paper. If he succeeded he would potentially end his career on a high, confirming his status as one of the great figures in physics. But the odds were against him, as his physical health continued to decline. This is an extraordinary story of one man's defiance of disability and his peers, one that ranges from the beginning of the universe to the intensive care unit of Addenbrookes, where he was taken and was critically ill for three months. On his hospital bed he had an insight which he hoped would form the basis of his latest comeback. episode 1