Viewers react to ITV2 documentary on the tragic murder of Cheshire teen Alex Rodda
'The Murder of Alex Rodda: Social Media Murders' told the story of the 15-year-old schoolboy, who was murdered in 2019 by a man who groomed him online.
Viewers have been reacting after watching the latest episode of ITV2’s documentary series Social Media Murders.
ITV2’s Social Media Murders is a three-part documentary series that’s seeking to provide a “compelling yet cautionary insight” into the experiences of young people affected by disturbing 21st century crime.
Each episode in the harrowing series puts the victim at the centre of the narrative.
The stories of their murders are then told alongside material obtained from social media accounts and mobile phones – which aims to “immerse viewers in the events as they unfolded”.
His partially-clothed body was discovered by a team of refuse collectors.
Twitter was filled with reactions to the “heartbreaking” watch during and after the documentary aired last night.
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“Sobbing watching #TheMurderOfAlexRodda what a tragic loss. His family seem so lovely. His dad and brother had me crying. Rest in peace Alex,” one tweet read.
Another said: “I’m close to tears there’s such horrific people in the world.”
Another person tweeted their reaction to the documentary, saying: “I remember this – happened so close to home – so so heartbreaking.”
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“This is absolutely heartbreaking to watch and listen to. These programmes need to be watched by young people so they can understand some of the dangers. My thoughts go to all Alex’s family and friends. May he RIP,” another tweet read.
Another cautionary tweet read: “Watching the documentary about Alex Rodda, it’s so heartbreaking. This boys life was cut short because of an evil monster that took advantage. Please be safe online, don’t meet someone you don’t know especially on your own.”
“It really does open your eyes to the dark side of social media,” another said.
“Just watched The Murder Of Alex Rodda on catch-up, absolutely heartbreaking. What an awful thing to do. Rest in peace,” another tweet read.
Matthew Mason – then 18, and from Knutsford – struck up a secret relationship with Alex online, and soon began sending him explicit images before things turned sexual, and The Murder of Alex Rodda: Social Media Murders highlighted how these texts and messages on social media allowed Mason and Alex to first connect.
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Speaking on the programme, one of Alex’s friends explained how social media played a huge part in Mason and Alex’s relationship, as they were in different years at school.
Keri Nixon – a Forensic Psychologist – also told the programme: “Once the conversation develops on Facebook, Mason takes it to Snapchat. He’s sending images of himself through a platform that will then delete that information, so it almost gives him a sense of confidence that he’s not going to be found out.
“Alex is obviously media-savvy so he saves copies.
“It catapults relationships into a sexual relationship very quickly because they feel safe to engage in that through social media.”
Worried that his sexual interactions with Alex – who was under the legal age of consent – would be uncovered, Mason paid Alex almost £2,000 in cash to conceal the relationship, but when Mason, who had a girlfriend, feared Alex would go public, he lured him to his death in a woodland near Altrincham
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Matthew Mason – now 20, and from Knutsford – denied the murder, but was found guilty of beating the teenager to death with a metal wrench, and was originally sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 28 years.
His sentence was later reduced to 26 years following an appeal.
Featured Image – ITV Hub
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Liam Gallagher says he’ll ‘gig in Lidl’ if Co-op Live still isn’t ready – and they sound pretty game for it
Danny Jones
Following the ongoing palaver with Co-op Live, Liam Gallagher has joked that he’d happily play his scheduled gigs in a Lidl if the arena still isn’t ready – at least we think he’s joking…
With Liam Gallagher having been named as one of the first acts booked to play Co-op Live last year, many are now wondering whether the venue will even by June, with the former Oasis frontman set to play four Definitely Maybe 30th-anniversary sets. That being said, he’s come up with a solution if not.
Vintage LG, we’ll give him that.
Obviously a bit of a tongue-in-cheek quip at the venue being sponsored by a supermarket and convenience store chain, it could have been any other competitor that the ever-witty youngest Gallagher brother picked but it somehow made it extra funny that he chose a budget brand like Lidl.
However, with the 51-year-old already having fun with stunts like voicing the tannoys on the Metrolink last year, for instance, we wouldn’t put it past him to take this joke a little further.
Better still, not that we’re getting carried away or anything but Lidl themselves seem pretty keen on the idea too; they even spent the time to build an entire setlist for the fictional show. Fair play.
Can you imagine? Liam Gallagher swapping the occasional tambourine shake for beeps from a barcode scanner as he moves back and forth on the conveyor belt. We know it’s absolute nonsense and we definitely shouldn’t be even remotely considering it… BUT it’s the stuff of dreams and strange things have happened.
A lot of stranger things have happened this week alone. As for the latest with Co-op Live, the Chairman and CEO of key-backers Oak View Group, Tim Leiweke, issued a full statement sharing his “sincere apologies”and insisting that they understand “there is work to be done to rebuild your trust in us.”
With the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Peter Kay, The Black Keys and more having their gigs pulled by the venue due to numerous issues, including an air conditioning unit falling from the ceiling, fans are understandably fearful that other upcoming events could face delays or general misfortune.
Much like the venue itself, we imagine we’ll be playing catch-up on this whole saga for the foreseeable, but here’s a recap of the story so far:
Featured Images — Lidl GB/Exit Festival (via Flickr)/The Manc Group
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Gavin and Stacey will return with a 2024 Christmas special for its final episode
Danny Jones
After some pretty big rumblings earlier this year, it’s finally been confirmed that Gavin and Stacey will be returning for a Christmas special this year and what will be its last-ever episode.
The beloved British comedy last aired back in 2019 with their previous Christmas special and fans of the show have been crying out for more ever since.
Well, it turns out they’ll be getting just one more go around the block as co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones revealed that they have now finished writing their third and final Xmas special which will tie a festive bow on the trio of series which started all the way back in 2007.
Sharing a picture of the script on social media, the pair wrote: “Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James”.
However, what was actually going on was a bit of a red herring as she carefully chose to talk down any notions of another series but didn’t categorically dismiss the potential Christmas special.
In fact, she actually went on to add: “All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James [Corden] and I would happily announce it, we would.”
And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Well played, Nessa.
As for details surrounding the final chapter in the Gavin and Stacey story, we have very few details at this stage but fans of the iconic show will already be wondering how they might pick up from where certain threads left off.
Production companies Baby Cow, Corden’s Fulwell 73 and Jones’ Tidy Productions are all behind the special and, given the momentous occasion, it will likely have a primetime slot on the TV guide when it finally rolls around this holiday season.
So get your remotes, baubles and bhunas at the ready because Gavin and Stacey is coming back for one last time and it’s sure to be a TV event that people all across the UK will remember for years to come.