Harold Shipman: Doctor Death, what you need to know about the ITV documentary

Airing Thursday, ITV is telling the story of Britain’s most notorious serial killer, Dr Harold Shipman.

The hour-long documentary will focus on the case around Shipman and the investigation into the crimes he was later convicted for.

Harold Shipman: Doctor Death is produced by Wild Pictures, the company which has previously produced Fraud Squad, The Forgotten Children, HMP Aylesbury and The Cruise for the channel, and ITV have explored the Shipman case before back in 2002.

But who was Shipman? And when can we see the documentary? Here is everything you need to know ahead of transmission…

Who was Harold Shipman?

Doctor Shipman, a GP, was born in Nottingham in January 1946. A medical professional, he would go on to become one of the most prolific killers in British history.

At his trial, Shipman was convicted of 15 counts of murder and one count of forgery. He was imprisoned for 15 life sentences.

Shipman died in his cell in 2004, the day before his 58th birthday, with a recorded death of suicide by hanging.

The Shipman Inquiry, started after the trial concluded in 2000 with its final release in 2005, concluded that the doctor was probably responsible for over 250 murders over a 27-year period.

What is the documentary about?

The ITV documentary will focus on the case surrounding Shipman, who poisoned his patients.

Now, 20 years on, footage of his arrest and interviews with relatives of victims will be shown to give an insight into how Shipman blindsided the community that trusted him and tried to get away with murder.

Former detectives from the Greater Manchester Police speak for the first time in the documentary and tell all about being inside Britain’s biggest murder investigation.

The documentary will also feature audio and video tapes of the police interrogation of Shipman to help illustrate the career of Britain’s worst serial killer.

When can I watch Harold Shipman: Doctor Death?

The one-off documentary will air on Thursday 26 April at 9pm on ITV, available shortly after on ITV Hub.