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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Ayeesha Walsh

Elvis Presley's ex Linda Thompson says biopic of late musician did him a 'disservice'

Elvis Presley's ex-girlfriend has slammed his movie biopic claiming it was 'untrue' and did him a "disservice."

Linda Thompson first met Elvis in 1972 when she was 22 years old and he was 37 having already had a troubled life for many years.

The couple - despite their different stages in life - fell deeply in love and embarked on what would become the last serious relationship of his life.

However, Linda was notably missing from the hit Baz Luhrmann movie when it hit cinemas around the world earlier this year to tell his story.

Linda Thompson has lashed out at the movie biopic (GETTY)

While the film appeared to be a big hit with Elvis' ex-wife Priscilla Presley and daughter Lisa Marie, Linda has formed a very different view of the biopic.

Now she has lashed out at the production in a new movie claiming it is factually incorrect and claiming "Baz Luhrmann never contacted me."

Linda also claims the film contains "many inaccurate and untrue elements," particularly surrounding the final years of his life.

When Elvis passed away from a heart attack at his Graceland home on August 16 1977 he had become alcohol and drug dependent.

Linda was dating Elvis until six months before he died (FilmMagic)
Linda has spoken out about inaccuracies in the movie (Eugene Powers / Splash News)

These events became something that Linda feels was not properly represented in Baz Luhrmann's version of his story.

She said: "Every time Elvis was hospitalised, I’d share his room ... The film showed his ex-wife, Priscilla, at his bedside. She never even visited him, let alone stayed. Those last years, I saved his life about ten to 12 times."

Linda then lashed out at Priscilla further over-representation in the movie that their split had been amicable - with her claiming that Elvis "bitterly resented" Priscilla for leaving him for karate instructor Mike Stone.

Elvi and Priscilla split in 1972 with the couple officially divorcing on October 9 1973, at the time as they walked away from signing their divorce papers Elvis sang Dolly Parton hit I Will Always Love You to her.

Linda with Elvis back when they were dating (WireImage)

Priscilla later said of their split: "I truly cherish the great times. As you grow up, there are always fears and insecurities. But as you get older you understand it all."

Linda split with Elvis six months before his death in 1976, with her admitting she was "tired" of caring for him through his deteriorating health.

She said: "I struggled to accept the other women as I was faithful, but I was so addicted to loving him that I lost myself and what I wanted while he was addicted to drugs - they were his true mistress. I was exhausted caring for him — it was like looking after a newborn baby. I was scared he would die on my watch. When I asked him to reduce his medication, he’d say: 'Don’t worry about me, honey, I’m going to live till I’m 85.'"

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