Terry Butcher: Invisible Wounds ITV to screen major new documentary

Jun 3
4 min read

You can look at someone, especially a veteran, and have no idea that a major struggle is happening just beneath the surface. The same goes for anyone dealing with mental health issues." - Terry Butcher

London, Tuesday 2nd June: "We have to talk more and help each other more," former England football captain Terry Butcher told an audience for the London premiere of a new ITV feature documentary.

Butcher: Invisible Wounds will be broadcast on ITV4 on Tuesday 9th June at 10pm, and then will be available to stream for three years on ITVX .

The hour-long film covers not only Butcher's career, including trophy-winning stints at Ipswich Town and Glasgow Rangers, but the loss of his army veteran son, Chris, who returned with severe PTSD after serving as an Artillery Captain in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Butcher is now patron of Combat2Coffee, a peer-support organisation founded in 2018 by ex-soldier Nigel Seaman, which has become a vital lifeline for thousands of veterans across the UK.

Butcher told an audience of family, friends and media at The Courthouse Hotel in Soho: "Yesterday on the train, I was speaking with an ex-serviceman. I asked him if he suffered from PTSD, and he told me he did, explaining that he was on his way to see his therapist in London. He pays for it out of his own pocket because he needs that support once a month.

"So many veterans are in that exact position. They have to seek out help just to get by. Chris never had that chance. While many do manage to cope, virtually every veteran I have ever spoken to still suffers from PTSD. It often goes unspoken. You can look at someone, especially a veteran, and have no idea that a major struggle is happening just beneath the surface. The same goes for anyone dealing with mental health issues.

"We have to talk more and help each other more. When it comes to physical illnesses like prostate cancer, you can get tested and checked. But you can't easily test for PTSD because it leaves invisible wounds. 'Invisible Wounds' is such a perfect title. When I first heard it, I wished I had come up with it myself."

The theatrical documentary was produced by the Emmy-winning company Sylver Entertainment, and written and directed by Stuart Burley, marking his feature directorial debut after more than two decades creating premium sports content.

Alongside Butcher's own account, the film features contributions from Gary Lineker, Ally McCoist, Kieron Dyer, Russell Osman and Alan Brazil, offering perspective on his career, character and the wider impact of his story.

Butcher said: "I think people will really connect with the film. It tells an important story, and I hope ITV is as proud of it as we all are.

"Our goal was to stir up conversation and help people, and it's already working. I am already receiving messages from volunteers who want to get involved [with Combat2Coffee]...Please spread the word on social media. Let people know that this is an important story filled with hope for those who need it most."

The film is directed by Stuart Burley and executive produced by Victoria Barrell and Simon Lazenby for Sylver Entertainment.

Stuart Burley said: "Terry Butcher, the footballer, the warrior, is a great story on its own, an iconic figure, one of only three men to lead England in a World Cup semi-final. But the story I wanted to tell is far deeper, that of a father and son who captained their country. This is a film about bravery, grief and hope. The strength Terry has shown in making this has been inspiring. The wounds will never heal, but with a newfound purpose, he is showing courage far beyond a bloodied head."

Richard Botchway, Assistant Commissioner, ITV Sport, said: "Terry Butcher is one of the defining figures of English sport, a symbol of commitment and resilience. But this film reveals a different kind of courage: the courage to speak openly about grief, trauma and loss. At a time when the nation comes together around football, this story brings a deeper conversation into the spotlight, one that ITV is proud to platform."

Creative producer John Grint brings extensive experience across sports storytelling, shaping the film's emotional narrative and archival depth.

Sylver Entertainment has established itself as one of the UK's leading producers of premium documentaries, with a slate including McEnroe (2022, Sports Emmy-winner), Lomu (BFI-backed), Schmeichel (2025), and Hill (2025, Sky Documentaries).

Victoria Barrell of Sylver Entertainment said: "Our focus has always been to explore the human story behind sporting greatness. With Terry, that meant telling a story far beyond football — one about loss, resilience and purpose. We're proud to bring this to audiences with ITV at a moment when its message feels especially urgent."

BUTCHER: INVISIBLE WOUNDS WILL BE BROADCAST ON ITV4 AT 10PM ON TUESDAY 9TH JUNE AND AVAILABLE ON ITVX AFTERWARDS