'The biggest surprise is there is no last meal'

Dan Walker talks about why he wanted to explore America's capital punishment system for his new Channel 5 documentary, Dead Man Walking

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For British journalist and TV presenter Dan Walker, there was only so much he could understand about the death penalty in America, from 5,000 miles away.

He also thought it must be strange to be on death row and not have a single clue about what will happen to you, especially if you are innocent.

It's why Walker, best-known for presenting lighter shows such as Classic FM and Football Focus, wanted to explore America's death penalty system first-hand, and interview people from all sides of the debate, including convicted prisoners, executioners, families of victims and inmates who have been exonerated, in a one-off 5 documentary, Dead Man Walking: Dan Walker On Death Row.

In the 90-minute series from ITN Productions, the current 5 News journalist also looks at whether Britain could ever follow America's example, learns about the emotional toll death row has on those who carry out executions, and whether his findings challenged his Christian beliefs and views on capital punishment.