The Moorside.

Though AB I'm hoping it turns out differently for Sharon and her siblings..

Our LEA (remember those?) Teachef for Looked After Children, was an inspiration. A young woman who has herself been through the 'care' system and emerged almost whole and with impressive qualifications. I retired about a year after she took up her post.

Always hoped she managed to turn things around somehow, for some.

True Anya, children like Shannon and her siblings stand little chance in living a different life to their parent

f77ms no, of course working class homes and children are not dirty, I didn't mean to suggest that - but it's normal for children from any background to be a bit dirty and scruffy if they've been playing for most of the day!

Perhaps it was all part of the director's intention to 'give the lie to the stereotype of a run-down community riddled with drugs, drink and feckless dysfunctional families' as Luckygirl said.

Going back to the programme, I think the one person who should have been consulted is Shannon it seems she wasn't and I believe she is now 18.

Sometimes that term isn't always a prerequisite for a low IQ, for instance Trump behaves like a moron, particularly of late.

Unfortunately, if Sharon and her siblings were dumped into our 'care system' they are likely to emerge damaged and without much in the way of education

For moron may I suggest low IQ

I believe some of her children lived with their fathers due to her inadequate parenting. I also remember reading that Karen Matthews and her accomplice's inspiration to carry out this crime had been the publicity surrounding the Madeline McCann kidnap and the money that had been poured into s fund to finance the ongoing search for her. Just how they would have got away with receiving money without arousing the suspicion of the police is anyone's guess, she came across as a complete moron unable to outwit anyone. I do hope Shannon and her siblings received the care they deserved and have overcome the unfortunate start they were subjected to.

My first thought was about Shannon,did she know and how she felt having her story shown.

Watched the programme,not impressed. The whole business was a sordid affair, and the'history' is too early to be of any interest, I think.

No criticism of the fathers of the children, only the mother

.rafichagran, I have never found sympathy to be something that needs saving and rationed out,

I feel it's exploitative to make a tv drama like this, so soon after the crime. Shannon is only 18 years old now, such a vulnerable age to have her story exploited as a money making exercise. That's what led to the fake kidnap isn't it, the exploitation of a small child in order to try and get the reward money.

I did feel the drama rang true to life, good cast, good portrayal of the key characters. Karen Mathews and her then partner were accurately played as having low IQ and an absence of empathy. He was arrested during the period Shannon was missing, after police found images of children being sexually abused on his computer. All the children were subsequently taken into care, something that had been considered before the fake kidnap.

Life is so tough for some children. I hope this drama doesn't cause further emotional harm to the children at its heart.

I think it Karen Matthews actions were fuelled by the McCann case . There were small references to them during the 1st episode . Ana, Working class homes and children are not dirty , why should they be shown as such !
Karen obviously had mild learning difficulties and an inadequate personality , well observed in the drama. I thought it was fairly well done and will watch the second part .

Sorry meant to add, I read about the case at the time and felt uncomfortable about watching this, so refused to do so. I agree it is too soon to be made into a drama for television and I hope Shannon goes on to have a good life.

Sorry Annie I have no sympathy for Karen Mathews. She did what she did for one thing, money. Seven kids no job equates to alot of benefit. She is just greedy. From her behaviour I get the impression she saw the children as a meal ticket.
Please save your sympathy for someone who deserves it.

I watched it but don't think I'll bother with the second part. I agree that it really isn't fair to the children of the family to make such a pointless drama.

If the depiction of Shannon's mother and her boyfriend was accurate, it seems that they appeared to have some sort of learning disability.

I didn't like the programme. Not helped by the fact I had trouble understanding the accent.

Far too early to make a drama out of it, seven children were involved,

The police woman who was part of the family support team was interviewed a few days ago, she said she was closely involved in the making of the drama.

Who received payment ? Assuming some did, the child is now eighteen , far too young for this story to be told.

I felt some pity for Karen Matthews , seven children not all with the same fathers, these woman are vunerable realy

Oh, thank you Luckygirl I didn't know Shannon hadn't even been informed about the programme.

I wonder whether Karen Matthews was informed?

I heard the director of this being grilled on Front Row on Radio 4. The interviewer was giving him grief over the fact that he had not sought permission from Shannon (nor indeed spoken to her at all). His justification was that the programme was not about her but about the community and its response; and his aim was to give the lie to the stereotype of a run-down community riddled with drugs, drink and feckless dysfunctional families.

I will watch it on catch-up and see if that makes sense.

I gave up on this after about 40 minutes, it just didn't ring true. The houses were all lovely, everyone was clean and tidy and the children well-dressed with not a smudge of dirt anywhere.

Yes, we know what happened of course, I just don't think this drama is telling the story very well.

I'm sure Shannon and her new family will have been consulted and informed all the way - she may even have chosen not to watch the programme.