Derbyshire’s dark secret . . . and the dark jacket

IN THE DARK, BBC 1, TUESDAY

From Taggart to Line Of Duty, I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of cop shows.

But when I heard about the BBC’s latest offering, In The Dark, I had my series record on straight away.

The four-part drama is an adaptation of best-selling author Mark Billingham’s novel – and written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter, Danny Brocklehurst.

Fans have been eagerly waiting its arrival since the Beeb commissioned him in 2015. And I’m delighted to report, it doesn’t disappoint.

It follows Helen Weeks, a detective in the early stages of pregnancy. She ends up involved in a missing girls’ case that strikes close to home – in fact, it’s back in the Derbyshire town where she grew up but has never returned to.

When she discovers a childhood friend is involved, Weeks is forced to return to confront the case – and some of her own demons.

There’s some sort of dark secret haunting her from her younger days but even at the end of the first episode, we’re still clueless as to what it is.

The programme finishes on a cliffhanger. It’s frustrating as I don’t think I can wait a week to find out what happens next.

But not as annoying as that brown suede jacket Detective Weeks barely took off for the whole episode.

Hopefully, that won’t haunt me for the next month!

THE DOG RESCUERS, CHANNEL 5 TUESDAY

The owners of a cat and dog were told their animals were to be taken away, because their house was filthy. In fact it was so bad the RSPCA had to intervene.

Bichon frise Chesney was eventually returned after a massive clean-up. But I wonder how people can live like this.

It’s bad enough to do it to yourself, but worse to subject helpless animals to it as well.