Bain well paid for interview

David Bain. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A former women's magazine editor estimates David Bain pocketed up to $50,000 for his exclusive first post-trial interview.

Bain has broken his silence of more than 15 years in a two-part interview with New Idea, the first of which is published today.

Former women's magazine editor Wendyl Nissen said the deal could have cost between $40,000 and $50,000, about the same amount Woman's Day paid for an exclusive with Jonah Lomu after he left his first wife.

"I haven't worked in magazines for some time but I doubt they would pay more than that," Nissen said.

New Idea editor Hayley McLarin refused to reveal how much Bain was paid, saying only it was an "exclusive agreement".

It covers Bain's life between his arrest for killing five family members to his acquittal after a retrial and features previously unseen family photos.

He talks of his surprise at being arrested, prison beatings and being on suicide watch due to chronic depression.

McLarin said the interview revealed the true David Bain as a man with a fantastic sense of humour - very different from the "straight and sombre" figure seen during his retrial.

"He talks to us about his first few days out of jail and having to find his way," she said.

"He said movie tickets used to be $5 and suddenly they are $15. He doesn't go very often because he finds them so loud.

"One of the biggest things that struck me was that he was assaulted in jail and had two teeth kicked in. He talked about having to find friendships in prison and what it was like being unsupported in a lot of ways."