THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND THE CANOE - ITV 9pm - EASTER SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY. TV PACE. NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Real life story

John a former teacher and prison officer fakes his own death in 2002 via a canoe - with the help of Ann his wife to claim Life insurance and avoid bankruptcy

It is based on an unpublished manuscript by reporter David , he was the first one to find and interview ann after a boot of the couple was seen 5yrs later in 2007

Ann knew but not the sons who believes their dad was dead

It's a bit like ' Reginald Perrin' ( shows age)
I guess there was less cctv around in those days too!

@jay55

I wish they'd turn a light on.

I'm literally squinting

I wish they'd turn a light on

That is how you know it’s set in the grim oop north.

I absolutely detested the British scandal podcast about this . So puerile and stupid with Alice butting in with unfunny and unnecessary quips all the time - just made it an infuriating listen.

This is ok so far. The story is totally compelling but this feels a little .. flat to me at the moment

Yes, Dark = North!

Agree, there's no way they would have got away with it now with CCTV & ANPR cameras etc!

It's also not being filmed at Seaton Carew and he gets out the car at Middlesbrough station - but I've only spotted this as I'm from there!

Definitely feels a bit flat

I was thinking that about CCTV too

I want to shake Anne.

I’m same age as you OP and remember this really well. As said it was huge news at the time.

I’m not sure the portrayal of the male protagonist is right. The real John Darwin comes across as someone who loves himself a lot, thinks he’s above the rules and domineers his meek wife. Instead Eddie Marsan makes him look like a bumbling simpleton

I’ve got this recording, will watch later as I hate ads! Totally spoil the flow for me and I get bored and start wandering off to do something
Looking forward to it though. I do remember this hitting the news when he was discovered alive and well with the photograph of him and his wife signing for a new house or something.

Mask wearing indoors might have helped him these days.
His poor sons though ! Such a horrible thing to do to your loved ones :(

Meek. That is literally the word to describe her.

John regretted his decision immensely didn't he.

The audacity to live next door.

We've got a family whatsapp and everyone has just said about the ham acting...........

Bloody awful.

I know a woman who would have gone along with it.. When she worked in a bank she looked through all our streets accounts because he told her to. She was sacked. Didn't face charges as I assume they believed her version.. There are such meek women.

Hiding in plain sight.
I guess it's true, you wouldn't think about someone doing this!

I assume he didn’t have any other close relatives

She mentioned that they didn't have any friends.

With the slow pace, feels like they're making a fascinating story really boring.
I'm just so impatient these days

@jay55

With the slow pace, feels like they're making a fascinating story really boring. I'm just so impatient these days

I feel a little underwhelmed.

It's four parts, so maybe it'll liven up once he starts living next door to her etc.
Or when they go to panama!

Really enjoying this, though not sure why, one minute it plays as the most unlikely dysfunctional domestic sit com about a Reggie Perrin type loser and the next minute I remind myself that this couple actually went through with this crazy idea. Have had a small crush on Eddie Marsan since he was in Happy Go Lucky as a manic driving instructor, one of those actors who is always interesting to watch.