Why is Finding Michael not on Disney Plus yet and why has it been delayed?

5 March 2023, 10:23 | Updated: 5 March 2023, 10:29

By Alice Dear

Why is Finding Michael not on Disney Plus, what time is it released and what has caused the delay?

Spencer Matthews' documentary following his mission to recover his brother's body from Everest, Finding Michael, has been advertised as being released on Disney+, Friday 3rd March.

However, people looking to watch the emotional film have been left confused after the documentary appears not to be on the streaming service.

Spencer and Disney Plus have released statements regarding the delay, while reports surface that the reason the show was pulled last minute was for "important editing" due to the scenes of "dead bodies".

Here's everything we know so far.

Why is Finding Michael not on Disney Plus?

Disney Plus issued a statement on the documentary on 4th March, despite previously advertising that the documentary would be streamed on 3rd March.

The statement reads: “We’re sorry that the debut date for Finding Michael has shifted on Disney+. We will let you know as soon as we have new timings for its launch. This will be in the near future. Thanks for your patience.”

Spencer Matthews has also made a statement, telling fans on social media: "Apologies to everyone trying to view Finding Michael on Disney+. The debut date has shifted and we'll update you as soon as we have the timings.

He added: "This will be in the near future. Thank you all for your support."

Why has Finding Michael been delayed?

There have been reports that Finding Michael was delayed due to "important editing".

One person who contacted Disney Plus' customer services wrote on Twitter: "Talking to the lovely lady on Customer Service at Disney Customer Service and she has informed me that it was pulled for important re-editing. So the producers took it back."

At the same time, The Mirror report that the show was pulled due to the scenes of dead bodies on Everest.

A source told the publication: "This was a real disaster. After endless viewings, two official screenings and an entire campaign building up to a release on March 3 it was decided with hours to go that footage of bodies might be deemed insensitive.

“Everest is often too dangerous to recover those who died in the death zone, and the film reflects that. The fact this was only raised with hours to go before the release – and public screenings – is astonishing.

“So the premiere date was just dropped. Meanwhile, Spencer is doing interviews in which he has to fudge the date.

“He was absolutely furious and there have been some very heated conversations this week. This has been two years of Spencer’s life and it isn’t just a documentary for him – it’s his brother.”

Spencer Matthews attempts to find brother on Mount Everest in 'Finding Michael' trailer

What is Finding Michael about?

Finding Michael is a documentary which follows Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews as he embarks on a mission to recover his brother's body from Everest.

Spencer was 10-years-old when his brother, Michael, died during an expedition to the summit of Everest.

He died on the mountain after reaching the summit on 13th May 1999 at the age of 22.

The documentary will follow Spencer and a team as they attempt to recover the body of Michael over two decades after his death.

• Listen on Global Player now: Big Fish Podcast with Spencer Matthews