Louis Theroux, meanwhile, has addressed the ongoing dilemma in an essay for The Times.

As previously reported, Theroux – in his 2011 documentary, America’s Most Dangerous Pets – spent time with Exotic. And now, speaking openly about that time in his life, Theroux has explained why he, like so many others, found himself overlooking Exotic’s misdeeds as he found himself warming to the outlandish tiger breeder.

“What stood out, apart from the blonde mullet and the nervous energy, was the blue eyeliner tattooed on the rims under his eyes. He was a strange mix of butch and femme signifiers,” writes Theroux.

“He carried a gun, which never left his side, and handcuffs, but there were also the aforementioned piercings and an air of heightened emotion.

“Altogether, though, Joe struck me as likeable and friendly. I warmed to him, and his ridiculousness was endearing rather than annoying… maybe because he seemed neither to be hiding many of his misdeeds nor to take himself too seriously, not to mention that his emotional volatility – laughter, tears, kindness, paranoia, all in quick succession – inclined me to be a little protective of him.”

Netflix’s Tiger King: Louis Theroux knows why you can’t help but like Joe Exotic, despite his many misdemeanours