Friday 5th October 2012 by David Renshaw

A new documentary reveals that The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein reportedly ensured that the band’s single ‘Love Me Do’ reached a high chart position by purchasing 10,000 copies of the single himself.
 
The revelation of the chart-climbing tactic is revealed in a new BBC documentary on the Fab Four set to air this weekend. In the documentary, titled Love Me Do: The Beatles ’62, Epstein’s friend Joe Flannery reveals that the manager would order copies of the single in bulk as well as encouraging band members to buy the single whilst they were out on tour.
 
“He [Brian Epstein] went and he bought 10,000 copies of ‘Love Me Do’ and that was in his store room in Whitechapel, because I’d seen them, they were there, 10,000 copies,” said Flannery. 
 
Billy Kinsley, a member of The Merseybeats, also managed by Epstein also managed, adds: “He [Brian Epstein] found out that we were on tour, he’d look at our gigs, [and say] 'Oh we’re playing Sheffield' or 'We’re playing Manchester. OK will you just go in this record shop and pick up a few copies [of Love Me Do]? Don’t all go in at the same time.'  Which we did.  I like to think that we did help the Beatles get to number 17.”  
 
Love Me Do: The Beatles ’62 airs on BBC4 this Sunday (Oct 7) at 10pm.

Below: previously unseen shots of The Beatles