LEE INGLEBY SPEAKS...

Why is it important this story is told in a TV drama?

Most people think they know what happened in this story. But they don’t. This drama shows you what actually happened. We see the news reports and then the image of Moat on a riverbank with a shotgun to his temple. But we don’t see what led to that moment, who he affected, who he killed, who he ruined. That’s why it’s important to tell this story.

Did you recall the details of this story?

I remembered it from the news coverage at the time. The latter end of it when the standoff was happening. But I didn’t recall the actual details of how it led up to that moment. Most people say to me, “Oh yeah, Gazza”, which was such a very minor incident in the whole thing.

What were your thoughts when you were approached about this drama?

When I read Kevin Sampson’s scripts,

I thought it was a really intelligent piece. Then talking to the director Gareth Bryn and a few of the police officers involved, it was good that it wasn’t a sensationalist take on the story. It was very much matter of fact and it felt real. And we got to follow the story of Chris Brown, who was shot and killed by Moat; Sam Stobbart, who he shot and injured, and PC David Rathband, who was shot and blinded.

The drama highlights the victims and also reveals the truth about Moat.

Who did you speak to before filming began?

I spoke to Neil Adamson, who is now retired, and a few other police officers who were involved. Neil was the face of the police investigation, but I portray an amalgamation of a few people and jobs pulled into one. Otherwise, it would be just too confusing a watch to figure out who was doing what.