FIFE’S CHILD KILLINGS: THE UNTOLD STORY, BBC1, 9pm
THE title is shocking, suggesting a serial killer was once on the loose in Fife. The fact that there wasn’t, and that the three deaths examined resulted from abuse by the parents, is little comfort.
The deaths are those of little Liam Fee, Mikaeel Kular and Madison Horn, all of whom died in Fife in 2014.
Each child was killed by abuse in the home. Liam was injured and battered over a lengthy period, and concerns were raised, so why were the social services unable to save him? Poor Mikaeel was beaten to death by his mother, and his body bundled in a suitcase and hidden in the woods. And Madison was battered by her mother’s boyfriend while he was babysitting her.
Such horror, all within one area in one short and terrible year – so what went wrong? The programme offers new evidence, and witnesses and insiders speak publicly for the first time.
THE SOUTHBANK SHOW, SKY ARTS, 8pm
SALLY Wainwright has written every type of TV drama, from soaps to cop shows to family sagas and period dramas, but she’s probably best known for Happy Valley, one of the best things on TV recently.
Melvyn Bragg visits her at home in the Cotswolds – which was almost disappointing. I’d assumed she lived in Yorkshire, but she left there long ago, though her dramas retain a blunt authenticity.
But she soon takes us back to Yorkshire, driving along the winding roads and walking across damp fields, to discuss the notable Yorkshire speech and how it has worked its way into her dramas, giving her characters wonderfully realistic dialogue.
Wainwright is very no-nonsense here, wrapped up in a fleece with her hair in a messy ponytail, and is intent on talking about her work which is a brilliant relief when most TV guests prattle on about themselves.
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