THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SHANNON MATTHEWS Channel 5, 9pm
“I’ve got a great story about Napoleon’s penis,” says Sandi, cracking open a bottle of wine
Sandi and Alison inside Moat Cottage
while wrapped up in a blanket on a deckchair.
“I’ve got a swan in my
A TALE of deception and betrayal, the story of the disappearance of nine-yearold Shannon Matthews could have come straight out of a crime novel.
When she vanished in February 2008, just nine months after the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, it sparked one of Britain’s biggest ever investigations.
This documentary tells the story from the beginning, including the exhaustive search for Shannon, the joy of her discovery and then the shocking truth of what had really happened.
The school girl’s kidnap had been planned by her own mother Karen Matthews, along with her partner’s uncle
Michael Donovan, in fireplace!” shrieks Alison. “Is that a euphemism?” quips Sandi.
This first episode sees Sandi and the Gavin and Stacey star escape to Suffolk.
It’s the perfect place for naturelover Alison, who goes berserk over any creature and is happy to try a bit of whittling.
They discover the imposing 19-century Martello Tower on the Heritage Coast, before some cloud watching and a stay at a 17th-century thatched cottage with a difference – it has its very own moat.
During their travels, there’s plenty of time for Sandi to quiz Alison on her loves, life and career.
Retired DCs Nick Townsend (left) and Paul Kettlewell who worked on the case
a scheme to generate money from publicity.
Watch out for unseen footage, a first-time interview with Shannon’s best friend Megan Aldridge, as well as interviews with community members and police.
Megan says: “It got to the point where I thought, ‘They’re not going to find her, she’s not going to come home. She’s dead’.”
An extraordinary tale that appalled the nation.