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Original poster

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

309 replies

Blondeshavemorefun · 15/04/2022 17:39

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It is based on an unpublished manuscript by reporter David , he was the first one to find and interview ann after a boot of the couple was seen 5yrs later in 2007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

OP posts:
Original poster
Blondeshavemorefun · 18/04/2022 21:21

Brazen or thick

I did wonder about the no body /death certificate and 7yr wait

OP posts:
foxlover47 · 18/04/2022 21:24

What also is annoying is why didn't he actually read the details in the life insurance policy 🙈 he seems completely daft , never satisfied, bit of a bully
But I've enjoyed it, has made a nice change from the savage crime shows I usually like lol

toomuchlaundry · 18/04/2022 21:27

Can’t believe his poor Dad was alive

BlueSpottedGiraffe · 18/04/2022 21:28

@Pebbledashery

Do we really have to see them getting off. It's not needed.
I tend to agree that most sex scenes etc are unnecessary to the plot but I do think this is building on the fact he was coercive/abusive as she clearly doesn't want sex with him when he first starts kissing but ends up going with it.
Pebbledashery · 18/04/2022 21:32

The actress who plays Anne really annoys me for some unknown reason.

MissMarpleRocks · 18/04/2022 21:38

I remember this but didn’t realise it was so many years ago.

IIRC their sons no longer speak to them. But I’ve not googled it as I’d prefer to watch as if new.

Think what they did was unspeakable. I couldn’t ever forgive someone for that.

Georgeskitchen · 18/04/2022 21:41

He comes across as a really controlling bullying horrible man

BlueSpottedGiraffe · 18/04/2022 21:45

@Georgeskitchen

He comes across as a really controlling bullying horrible man
Yea he truly does
Original poster
Blondeshavemorefun · 18/04/2022 21:48

@Georgeskitchen

He comes across as a really controlling bullying horrible man
Yes agree. He does

The photo that was their downfall

OP posts:
Newnormal99 · 18/04/2022 21:56

@Maddiemoosmum0203

Definitely suitable for 13 year old my DD is finding it interesting there’s no swearing or nudity it’s just very tame interesting story
Did you miss the bare bum? My sister paused it without noticing what was on the screen and then my 10yo walked in the room and was horrified.
augustusglupe · 18/04/2022 22:04

Anne was in Appropriate Adult the Fred West drama.

mum2jakie · 18/04/2022 22:05

@fireplacetiles

All the episodes are now on Britbox advert free if anyone wants to binge.
Perfect. Thanks. Saves fast forwarding through the adverts!
Original poster
Blondeshavemorefun · 18/04/2022 22:11

Yes a bare bum for 5 seconds

OP posts:
ButterSageSpaghetti · 18/04/2022 22:16

If the police were so meticulous with their search of the house (under toilet seat, plates etc)...how come they didn't notice any interconnecting doors?!

JustDanceAddict · 18/04/2022 22:19

I do remember it fairly well, but what an awful character he was.
Also watched and thought why didn’t they check phone records etc. - more useful than searching the property.

Original poster
Blondeshavemorefun · 18/04/2022 22:25

@JustDanceAddict

I do remember it fairly well, but what an awful character he was. Also watched and thought why didn’t they check phone records etc. - more useful than searching the property.
A very good point

Lots of call box just after he went missing

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 18/04/2022 23:26

I didn’t see a bare bum, must have missed that (and I’m delighted about that!), same slow plodding tempo and iirc in the true life situation they were rumbled somehow and he was forced back to the U.K. that way, not because of the residency terms in Panama although I don’t actually, this is possibly a false memory Grin

Spidey66 · 18/04/2022 23:30

In the first episode the police rang Anne to say they were coming to search the house, so he went next door. Would the police really announce it?

The whole plot was bonkers!

I think the sons have forgiven Anne but not John. If it was me, I'd struggle to forgive either. I could forgive the insurance fraud, though I'd be shocked. But telling me for years my Dad was dead knowing full well he was alive and well next door? Sorry Mum I couldn't forgive that, it's terrible.

Honeyroar · 18/04/2022 23:43

@ButterSageSpaghetti

If the police were so meticulous with their search of the house (under toilet seat, plates etc)...how come they didn't notice any interconnecting doors?!
Because it had two flimsy blouses hanging up, so was obviously a wardrobe!!🤣🥴

I remember this case. It doesn’t feel that long ago! From watching this I can’t believe they weren’t caught on day one!!

He’s a horrible bully, and bonkers, but she’s not as innocent as she’s trying to make out. To lie in court like that, and watch your sons broken hearted, she’s got to be made of steel!

We’ve just got up to the end of the second episode. At this point, if I were her, I’d be paying someone in Panama to bump him off and going back home.

GellerYeller · 19/04/2022 00:12

His second wife says he's in Ukraine with good insurance?! Rightyo love. What on earth makes her think a 70 odd year old convicted insurance fraudster with fantasist tendencies and no military training would be insured for that?

movingsoon13 · 19/04/2022 00:14

Just starting the first ep now! I don't really remember what happened as I was only around 8/9 at the time so it will be an interesting watch!

the80sweregreat · 19/04/2022 06:46

This should come with a warning , always read the small print of any insurance policy.
They would have been totally stuffed if he had let it lapse when they had all those money woes , but not realized it had stopped. Obviously they carried on paying it.

AutumnOrange · 19/04/2022 07:00

I remember when it all happened so clearly - I mean when he returned from the dead. It was all so bizarre - you couldn’t make it up. Those poor sons - that would surely fuck with your head forever.
My mum died when I was a teenager and much as I wish she would knock on my door I honestly don’t think I could ever forgive her if she (and my dad) had duped me!
I binge watched all 4 episodes and I really don’t understand how they got away with it for so long and how inept the police were!

AutumnOrange · 19/04/2022 07:02

The actress who plays Anne was also in an episode of Inside No 9 (the episode where it is played in reverse) and played a murderer in an Agatha Christie - I really like her.

BlueSpottedGiraffe · 19/04/2022 07:17

@Spidey66

In the first episode the police rang Anne to say they were coming to search the house, so he went next door. Would the police really announce it?

The whole plot was bonkers!

I think the sons have forgiven Anne but not John. If it was me, I'd struggle to forgive either. I could forgive the insurance fraud, though I'd be shocked. But telling me for years my Dad was dead knowing full well he was alive and well next door? Sorry Mum I couldn't forgive that, it's terrible.

The fact the sons have forgiven her makes me wonder if the abuse was worse than is being portrayed and the sons witnessed this when younger/were also subject to it and genuinely believe she wouldn't have done it if she wasn't being coerced so have forgiven her but not their dad.
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