Hollywood legend Dirk Bogarde, best known for his roles in classic British films, became the subject of an investigation by MI5 in the late 1950s.

New MI5 files have been declassified, revealing that the British intelligence agency spent six years investigating whether the actor had been recruited by Russian spies.

The investigation began after an unnamed source claimed that Bogarde, who had visited Moscow in 1958-59, was approached by Soviet intelligence services during his trip.

A Suspected Target for KGB Entrapment

MI5’s suspicions grew further when they learned that Bogarde’s name was allegedly on a list of “six practising British homosexuals” provided to Russian officials.

The intelligence agency feared that the actor might have been a target of a gay ‘entrapment’ operation by the KGB.

In their search for answers, MI5 scrutinized press articles, Variety magazine, and other sources for information about Bogarde and other British stars who had visited Moscow around the same time.

They even considered other actors like James Robertson-Justice, Peter Arne, and entertainer Tommy Steele as possible targets.

The Star’s Reputation and Personal Life

In 1963, an MI5 source revealed that “Bogarde is known in the right circles to be a homosexual, and he is proud of it.”

However, MI5’s own investigation seemed to confirm that while Bogarde’s sexuality was well-known, there was no evidence suggesting he had ever traveled to Russia or had any direct contact with the KGB.

Described as “indisputably queer but quite charming,” Bogarde maintained a long-term relationship with his manager, Anthony Forwood, though he never publicly came out as gay.

The MI5 Interview with Dirk Bogarde

In 1971, MI5 arranged for an officer to interview Bogarde at the British consulate in Nice, where the actor had been visiting for a dental appointment.

The interview report shows that Bogarde was “clearly disturbed” upon learning that his name was allegedly on the KGB’s list of targets.

During the interview, he expressed confusion about how the Russians could have obtained such information and stated that he had never visited Russia.

When questioned about his behavior around other men, Bogarde explained that he often greeted male friends with kisses, citing his relationship with his father as an example of his affectionate nature.

The Investigation Is Closed with Little Evidence

Despite the intense scrutiny, MI5 ultimately concluded that there was no substantial evidence to support the claim that Bogarde was a target of Russian intelligence.

The report described him as “a retiring, serious man” who was likely “dominated in his private life” by Forwood.

The investigation was deemed an “unsatisfactory investigation,” with MI5 acknowledging that “considerable time and effort” had been spent on the case, but it resulted in “apparently little purpose.”

While the investigation into Dirk Bogarde’s potential Russian ties remains a historical curiosity, it sheds light on the complex and sometimes bizarre nature of Cold War-era espionage and the personal lives of public figures.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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