A new three-part documentary series about one of Britain’s prolific serial killers Harold Shipman airs tonight on BBC Two.
The Shipman Files: A Very British Crime Story is directed by film-maker Chris Wilson.
This three-part series will revisit the story of Harold Shipman – who was found guilty of killing 15 of his patients back in 2000, with his total number of victims said to be around 250 – as it developed from a local news piece, to the biggest serial killer case in British History.
Harold Shipman was a local doctor – described by patients as “popular” and “well-liked” – who had been practising in Hyde for over 20 years, when doubts were raised over the validity of the will left by one of his patients, Kathleen Grundy, following her death in 1998. Shipman had certified her cause of death as old age, but when the police exhumed her body, the post-mortem revealed that Mrs Grundy had in fact been killed by a fatal dose of diamorphine – pure, medical-grade heroin.
That turned the case into a murder inquiry, and the victim’s GP was the prime suspect.
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When the police began to take a look at the deaths of several more of Shipman’s recently deceased patients, the inquiry quickly snowballed into a multiple murder investigation.
BBC Two
The description on the BBC Two website reads: “Opening in 1998, the series begins in Hyde, the small market town near Manchester that would become the setting for a murder investigation on an unprecedented scale.”
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The first episode – which airs at 9pm on BBC Two this evening – “tells the story of how the crimes of ‘respected’ GP Harold Shipman were first discovered and how he was eventually apprehended and charged with the murder of 15 of his own patients.”
In the three-part series, film-maker Chris Wilson will meet victims’ close relatives and friends, former patients and the husband of another GP who spoke out against Shipman and reveals that, despite compelling evidence against him, clear opportunities to catch Shipman earlier were missed.
The description continues: “[Wilson] discovers how a dark chapter in the town’s past made the Shipman story even more difficult to face and explores how Shipman abused his power and status as a doctor to remain above suspicion – and even above the law.
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BBC Two
“Rather than focusing on the killer, Wilson examines the lives of some of Shipman’s elderly victims, discovering that they were fit and healthy women, active members of their local community who were well loved by their families and friends.
“Although these women were elderly, their deaths were mostly unexpected, and yet Shipman was able to pass their deaths off as due to natural causes.”
The first episode is set to end on the eve of Shipman’s trail.
It will also end posing one particular question – “could the profile of Shipman’s victims, in particular their age, be the real reason that he was able to kill so many over such a long period of time without anyone raising the alarm?”
You can watch the trailer here:
The Shipman Files: A Very British Crime Story airs on BBC Two tonight at 9pm.
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Listen to Bring Me the Horizon’s cover of an Oasis classic
Danny Jones
Sheffield favourites Bring Me the Horizon have covered not just an Oasis classic but arguably their biggest song of all time – but is it any good?
The high-flying alternative metalcore band are one of the biggest contemporary rock artists on the planet right now, having most recently been nominated as ‘Group of the Year’ ahead of the 2025 BRIT Awards.
Undoubtedly one of the best-known acts to ever come out of not just Sheffield but Yorkshire as a whole, there’s no project or challenge too big for these lads at this point, which is exactly why they had no trouble taking on one of the most famous songs ever written.
We never thought we’d hear Bring Me the Horizon covering Oasis‘ ‘Wonderwall’, but here we are.
Covering the legendary Britpop anthem to Spotify singles, if you’re expecting it to sound anything like the ‘Wonderwall’ you know, then you’re in for a shock.
It’s certainly not just a straightforward stripped-back bashed out quickly in a studio with an acoustic guitar – far from it…
However, if you are a fan of the current Bring Me sound, you’ll be glad to hear that the Northern heavyweights are tapping into that raw aggression with plenty of nu-metal production value.
On the other hand, although frontman Oli Sykes’ softer and more melodic vocals of late get a good deal of the spotlight, there are plenty of rip-roaring screams layered throughout, not to mention some emo-esque guitar playing and shredding drums with plenty of staccato, double-time and fun fills thrown in.
They even recreated that iconic shot from the music video for the cover art:
They faired rather well.
Uncanny, lads.
Put simply, it’s got some of the best bits from both old and new BMTH only with those iconic lyrics; it does take a minute to get used to hearing ‘Because mayyybe‘ being sung like that, but it’s definitely a grower in our opinion.
The single release also comes with a new somewhat lo-fi electronic ‘EarthcOre remix’ of ‘YOUtopa’ from their most recent seventh studio album, POST HUMAN: NeX GEn; again, this version is rather different from the original but we like both.
Without further ado, please enjoy a short preview down below and you can listen to the Bring Me the Horizon cover version of ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis in full HERE.
What do you make of it?
Does the Bring Me The Horizon cover make ‘Wonderwall’ feel interesting again or is it still just Oasis’ most over-played song ever?
What’s going down between Aitch and Central Cee?
Thomas Melia
The UK music world has been taken by storm over the weekend as two of the nation’s favourite rappers, Aitch and Central Cee are now feuding.
Pop culture wouldn’t be the same without its iconic feuds and what better way to resolve it than by the medium of… you guessed it, more music.
Aitch is one of Manchester’s most promising acts with hit songs like ‘Rain’ which features AJ Tracey, ‘My G’ a collaboration with Ed Sheeran and ‘Baby’ which samples Ashanti’s track of the same name.
Shepherd’s Bush born Central Cee has seen similar success, with songs like ‘Doja’, ‘Sprinter’ a joint stint with Dave and ‘Did It First’ where he shares a credit with Ice Spice.
Now, both artists are back in the spotlight as they’re firing shots at each other for all the world to see.
If Drake and Kendrick set the tone for the American rap game, Aitch and Central Cee are definitely front and centre in the UK scene.
Aitch and Central Cee: A Timeline
26 July 2020 – ‘Molly’
During his rise to fame, Central Cee understands the hard work and efforts that fellow rapper Aitch has put into his career, addressing it in one of his first releases titled ‘Molly’.
The rapper, also known as Cench, shouts out the Manchester star praising, “Man said 21 with a mill (Swear) / I need the same deal as Aitch’s”.
This is a direct reference to Aitch’s line in ‘Raw’, “Hands up if you made a mill before 21, gang (Gang, gang)”, which was only released two months prior in May 2020.
21 February 2022 – The Face Launch Issue 010
The two can be seen smiling it up in West Hollywood as both were invited and attended an exclusive launch party for British magazine The Face.
Cee can be seen sporting Italian luxury clothing brand, Moncler, while Aitch is dressed in a fit from American apparel company, Von Dutch.
This launch party celebrated Cench’s cover story and even warranted a performance from the London musician.
We can’t get pictures in the article but a quick google of ‘Aitch Central Cee The Face Launch’ will show you a few candids of the two stars.
Aitch wins ‘Best Hip Hop/ Grime Act’ at the 43rd edition of the UK’s biggest music award show, The BRITs, a category where Central Cee was also nominated.
The Manchester rap star received his award from footballer Declan Rice and the intro to ‘A Guy Called?’ incorporates the very moment when the Arsenal midfielder announced his victory.
10 March 2024 – ‘5 Star’ Snippet
Central Cee took to Instagram to reveal ‘New music after Ramadan.’ posting a selection of pictures in various locations such as the studio and even outside a shop window holding a crate of prime with KSI.
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The seventh slide in this photo dump is a voice memo which contains a snippet of ‘5 Star’, although at the time fans were none the wiser.
Both the UK stars attended the launch of famous burger chain Archie’s latest venture in the Trafford Centre, although not much is known on their interaction at the event.
In a video posted to the official Instagram account relating to the roller rink site ‘Archie’s Atomic’, it’s safe to say Aitch’s answer to ‘Freestyle or sing’ makes a lot of sense, following his latest track.
Much like ‘A Guy Called?’, it’s clear that Aitch really does love a good freestyle.
Just one day before the release of Central Cee’s debut album he achieved three nominations including ‘British Artist of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’ and that infamous ‘Best Hip Hop/ Grime Act’.
24 January 2025– ‘5 Star’ and ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’
2025 may have just began but the anticipation for this album has been high, especially since the first single for the record came all the way back in May courtesy of ‘Band4Band’, a link up with Lil Baby.
The latest single from ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS, Central Cee’s debut album is ‘GBP’ but the track that’s really got everybody talking is ‘5 Star’.
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Central Cee for latest record ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’Credit: Sony Music
On the second track of the LP, Cench directly hits out at the Moston boy spitting “I felt like a prick when I went to the BRITs and they gave the award to a guy called Aitch”.
He doubles down on this in the following line explaining, “I had my acceptance speech prepared like, “Long live F’s”, I’m goin’ insane / And free all the guys inside of the cage”.
‘5 Star’ even calls back to the album’s title as in the chorus the London based rapper warns, “Should know that you can’t rush greatness / But you’re too impatient”.
24 January 2025 – ‘A Guy Called?’
Aitch didn’t waste any time as by 4pm the same day his reply was broadcast to the world and it addresses some cultural moments a lot of fans will remember, including previous relationships.
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One of the most prominent bars in the one-off single is “(Yo, uncs) We can go bar for bar, BRIT for BRIT, punch for punch (Bah)”.
Not only does this quote the BRIT award show, it also references and incorporates the same melody as Central Cee’s ‘Band4Band’.
Right after this, ‘A Guy Called?’ also fires shots at one of Cench’s closest companions, “All your songs get wrote by Clint”, an esteemed fashion designer and owner of streetwear brand Corteiz.
Aitch for previous single ‘Famous Girl’ released last year.
The artwork for the diss track shows some wall art which reads ‘The world via Manchester’ and in front of it, of course, is that all too important BRIT award figure.
To close the diss track he even samples Central Cee’s previously mentioned 2020 hit ‘Molly’ which kickstarted our great big UK rap beef timeline.
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Aitch’s Instagram post of this song which is captioned ‘Leave me alone.’ got a response from the man in question, Central Cee, who replied ‘Fair enough’ alongside a laughing emoji and a fire emoji.
There’s no cold shoulder here either as later on in the almost three minute long number Aitch reassures fellow feuder, “Little boy is just there to be spun, gettin’ mad at the BRITs, there’s bare to be won (On God)”.
25 January 2025 – Central Cee x Corteiz
One day after the release of his album and Aitch’s response ‘A Guy Called?’, Central Cee drops a limited edition tee which merges the title ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’ with the usual Corteiz branding.
This isn’t verified by either party however with Aitch calling out the owner of Corteiz, Clint, it would be a perfect way for Central Cee to clap back at Moston’s finest.
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It’s so limited edition, the link to it on the website shows the shirt has already sold out.
Good thing Cench posted the design to his social media account surrounded by a crew of buddies all kitted out in the same in-demand streetwear including masks.
Or given how much Aitch loves to make a guest appearance wherever he can, there’s a possibility they could resolve their differences on stage in front of 23,500 fans.
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What’s next?
Everyone may be wondering what comes next, don’t worry we have no idea either!
What we do know is that both artists involved in this ‘beef’ which is playing out over social media are known for their much loved and well-recited melodies.
At the end of the day, these are two very respectable rappers and it can be so easy to get caught up in the drama and forget the reason everyone enjoys each artist, for their music.
Emily Sergeant -
28th September 2020 
