Who is Christine Jorgensen? Iconic singer's link to Netflix Ed Gein series explained

The latest season of Netflix's Monster has enthralled viewers as it is currently the most watched series on the service.

Based on the life and crimes of Ed Gein, it examines the killer who is often cited as being the inspiration behind iconic horror movies and villains. The series also touches upon possible influences on Gein himself.

While these include horrific images taken during World War Two there are also historical figures included. One of them is Christine Jorgensen, despite the two never actually having had contact throughout their lives.

• Strictly's George Clarke rushed for treatment after injuring back in training
• BBC Breakfast host's 'heart sinks' as she announces sad news after guest's incurable diagnosis

But who is Christine Jorgensen? What is her connection to Ed Gein? And what was Gein diagnosed with in hospital? Here's all you need to know.

Who was Christine Jorgensen?

Christine Jorgensen was an American actress, singer, recording artist, and transgender activist. Born George William Jorgensen Jr. in 1926, she described her younger self as a "frail, blond, introverted little boy who ran from fistfights and rough-and-tumble games".

They were drafted in to the US army aged just 19 in 1945 near the end of the Second World War. After being discharged from military service, Jorgensen she studied photography as well as attending Medical and Dental Assistant School.

She would become known as the the first person to become widely known in the United States for having sex reassignment surgery. She travelled to Sweden and Denmark to visit medical professionals and undergo hormone replacement treatment. She eventually obtained a vaginoplasty when the procedure became available in the United States.

Her transition was revealed to the public when her letter to her parents was leaked to the press. In it she wrote: "Nature made a mistake which I have had corrected, and now I am your daughter."

She would go on to become a successful singer performing regular acts in night clubs. Throughout here life she gave lectures at universities about trans issues. She would later disassociate with the term transsexual and prefer the term transgender.

Jorgensen died in 1989 at the age of 62.

What is Gynephilia ? What was Ed Gein diagnosed with?

Gynephilia is a sexual orientation based on a primary attraction to women and/or femininity. It is inclusive of the attraction of people of any gender identity, meaning heterosexual men and homosexual or bisexual women can all be gynephilic. As can non-binary individuals who are attracted to femininity.

In Netflix's series about Gein, the character has a conversation with Jorgensen on his ham radio who tells him that he is not transgender but gynephilic.

It is later revealed that this conversation was imagined. As indeed it never did happen. This is one of the few things that is true to life. Gein reportedly did own a ham radio while he was institutionalised but he would not have been able to use it.

In the seventh episode, Gein's psychiatrist tells him it was him telling him those things suggesting his attraction to femininity is so extreme he literally wants to wear a woman's skin.

However, while Gein was indeed diagnosed with schizophrenia, there is no reports he was gynephilic. We don't really know how aware he was of Jorgensen's life.

Co-creators of the show have spoken about the singer's inclusion in the series. They felt it was important to make the distinction that Gein was not transgender.

Writer Ian Brennan explained: "It was really important for us to make that distinction, for us to say, ‘Look, these are two very different things’ (transgender and gynephilia). And it was cool to be able to put it in the mouth of Christine Jorgensen. For him to be told that through her in his mind was a really cool moment.”

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is streaming on Netflix.