A new crime documentary exploring the chain of events leading up to one of Manchester’s most prolific gangland killings aired last night.
Audiences tuned into the first episode of Crime + Investigation’s Killer Britain with Dermot Murnaghan – which is hosted and curated by one of the UK’s best-known journalists, and explores British murder stories filled with detective intrigue and chilling storylines – as it focussed on the life and death of Paul Massey.
Paul Massey – the man who came to be best-known by the swaggering moniker ‘Mr Big’ – was raised in the rough-and-tumble surroundings of Ordsall in the sixties, moving from rapscallion to crime kingpin during the dawn of Madchester.
His blood-splattered story – which many Mancunians will remember culminated in his murder in 2015 – sounds like it was lifted from the pages of an airport paperback, and has proven a popular subject for crime media over the years.
This new documentary however attempts to examine the story in a light never seen before – and even features an “alternative theory”.
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Murder stories are told with archive footage and key interviews from those closest to the case / Credit: Crime + Investigation
In each episode of the new five-part series – which looks at crimes that shook local communities throughout Britain and gripped the nation until the killer was brought to justice – Dermot is joined by former Detective Chief Inspector of the Metropolitan Police, Clive Driscoll as he recounts a case he has reported on or followed at close quarters over the years.
The five murder stories are told with archive footage and key interviews from those closest to the case – including by family members of the victims and the investigating officers who were first at the scene.
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Last night’s Manchester-centred episode features interviews with Mr Massey’s partner, Louise Lydiate, and his daughter, Lydia Massey.
The five-part series will continue on Crime + Investigation each weeknight this week.
The devastating Cumbria shootings of June 2010, the callous murder of vulnerable young adult Phillip Nicholson in Boscombe, Dorset in 2015, and the dramatic twists and turns of the murder of Carol Jarvis in West Lothian in 2009 will also be featured in episodes this week.
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You can find more information about the series here, and catch-up via Sky TV On Demand / Sky Go and Virgin TV On Demand.
Featured Image – BBC
TV & Showbiz
Manchester institution ‘a little emotional’ after receiving a visit from rock icon Hayley Williams
Daisy Jackson
Rock icon Hayley Williams has been spotted shopping at Manchester institution Afflecks.
The legendary independent retail emporium said it was ‘feeling a little emotional’ after its halls were graced with rock royalty.
And not only did the Paramore frontwoman and acclaimed solo singer-songwriter come for a browse, she even gave Afflecks a shout-out on stage later that night.
Hayley Williams headlined two solo shows at Manchester Academy on Monday and Tuesday this week.
The shows are in support of her third studio album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party.
And despite being known globally as one of music’s best lead vocalists, this is actually Hayley Williams’ first solo tour (her previous dates were cancelled because of Covid).
While on stage in front of fans last night, she said: “I’ve learnt some Mancunian, and I’ve been to Afflecks!”
It sounds like she’s as lovely as she is legendary, with Afflecks saying that the star hung around to chat and take photos.
Sharing photos of the star inside the building, Afflecks wrote: “So a very special visitor stopped by Afflecks yesterday…
“A huge thank you to Hayley Williams for taking the time to visit us, say hello, and pose for a photo. She was so super lovely, kind, and welcoming, and to top it all off she even gave Afflecks a shout-out during last night’s show.
“Safe to say we’re feeling a little emotional about it. Thank you again Hayley for supporting Manchester’s small businesses.”
Prestigious Edinburgh TV Festival to move to Manchester for first time in 50 years
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester will become the new host city for the TV Festival from 2027 onwards it was announced today.
For the first time in five decades, following an extensive consultation and competitive bidding process – which was launched in 2025 – the prestigious festival is set to move from its home in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh to our region from 2027 onwards, beating out other major northern cities like Newcastle in the process.
As part of a UK-wide strategic review into the event’s long-term future, the Festival’s board of directors say the review was undertaken in order to ‘examine how the TV Festival could continue to grow’ amid increasing challenges around accessibility, affordability, and sustainability across the television industry.
Greater Manchester‘s ‘successful and comprehensive’ bid included commitments around affordability, infrastructure, industry partnership, and long-term growth potential.
Plans include holding the Festival in locations in the newly developed St. John’s creative and cultural district.
“Greater Manchester presented a vision for the Festival that combined genuine creative ambition and future-facing energy with practical accessibility and affordability for delegates,” commented Campbell Glennie, who is the CEO of the TV Festival and The TV Foundation.
“This means we can radically reduce the costs associated with attending the Festival as well as the cost of passes.
“The city reflects the expanding ambition of the UK television industry, while still offering the scale, connectivity and unique cultural identity needed for an event of this significance – it gives us the strongest platform to grow the Festival’s reach and impact in the years ahead.”
Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said being chosen as TV Festival hosts is ‘brilliant news’ for Greater Manchester, adding: “It speaks to the growth, success and strength of our screen sector in the city region and the strong partnerships and talent we have here.”
The final Edinburgh edition of the TV Festival will take place this August, and dates and further details for the TV Festival in 2027 will be shared later this year.
Emily Sergeant -
1st June 2021 
