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.”
This is absolutely heartbreaking to watch & 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 & friends. May he RIP 🙏#TheMurderOfAlexRodda#socialmediamurders
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.
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 #SocialMediaMurders#AlexRodda
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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Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
All three Pet Classics programmes will be broadcast from 5pm to 10pm, and you can listen on Classic FM or Global Player available across the UK.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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What is the UK’s national dish? New survey reveals Brits’ pick in landslide victory
Emily Sergeant
If you’ve ever thought to Google the question ‘what is Britain’s national dish?’, then you probably came away thinking it’s chicken tikka masala.
But is that actually the truth? A new survey has disproved the claim, massively.
There’s no denying that chicken tikka masala – an Indian curry that’s actually widely thought to have been created in Britain – is a popular dish that’s loved by many, but despite what many headlines have claimed over the years, a new YouGov survey has revealed it’s not what Brits consider to be the country’s ‘national dish’.
YouGov conducted two online surveys earlier this month, made up of 2,079 and 2,104 adults aged 18+ living in Great Britain.
And, in their own words, Brits chose fish and chips as the country’s national dish, making it the ‘resounding’ winner with 49% of the vote.
What is the UK’s national dish? A new survey has revealed Brits’ pick in a landslide victory / Credit: The Manc Group
With nearly half of the overall vote, this puts fish and chips far ahead of the roast dinner in second place, which only 24% of people picked – including the 6% who made sure to specify a beef roast.
In fact, only 3% of Brits actually name chicken tikka masala as the UK’s national dish, although 52% in the survey did confess that they eat some form of curry at least once a month, so it is still a popular pick regardless.
Fish and chips is by far the most common answer across all generations too, according to the survey (45-50%), with the biggest difference between age groups being that 18-24 year olds are less likely to have nominated roast dinner and more likely to have chosen chicken tikka masala instead.
What do Brits say is the UK’s national dish?
Fish and chips – 49%
Roast dinner – 24%
Chicken tikka masala – 3%
Curry (non-specific) – 2%
Full English breakfast – 2%
Bangers and mash – 1%
Cottage or shepherd’s pie – 1%
Other – 3%
Don’t know – 15%
The survey also showed that, of the three top contenders for the UK’s national dish, roast dinners are the most frequently eaten, as 52% of people said they eat them on a monthly basis – including 16% who do so every week.
Aside from the frequently mentioned dishes, some survey respondents also gave shoutouts to the full English breakfast (2%), bangers and mash (1%), and cottage or shepherd’s pie (1%).
Emily Sergeant -
17th November 2021 
