This weekend the controversial President of Turkey faces one of the most important elections ever for his country and the wider Middle East region. But how did the son of a Black Sea coastguard rise to live in a thousand-room palace? And how will he cope with one of the biggest political challenges of a career spanning more than twenty years?

Mark Coles hears from Turkish and British guests who know Recep Tayyip Erdogan well. And for more on the Turkish leader, the two part series, Empire of Erdogan, is available on BBC iPlayer.

Presenter: Mark Coles Producer: Jordan Dunbar Researcher: Olivia Woodward Sound Engineer: Rod Farqhuar Editor: Simon Watts Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele