ITV

The brand new crime drama will be released today as fans brand it one of the “most harrowing” things they have seen

A gripping crime drama dubbed “one of the most harrowing and distressing things” fans have ever seen is now available to stream for free.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy tells the terrifying story of the American serial killer, spanning across eight episodes. Having first been released in the US last year, it will today (January 30) be released on ITV and ITVX.

The series will air weekly at 9pm on ITV1 & STV on Fridays. But for those looking to binge-watch the series in one go, all 8 episodes will be available via ITVX & STV Player straight away.

It has been teased: “Prepare to take a deep dive into the mind and life of one of America’s most notorious serial killers with this drama that tells the terrifying story of John Wayne Gacy.

“From 1972-1978, thirty-three young men were kidnapped, murdered, and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer’s house. And no one was the wiser. Not for all those years. Why? He was charming and funny.

“Had a good, All-American job. Was a community leader. He even volunteered to entertain sick kids… while dressed as a clown.

“Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy peels back the twisted layers of Gacy’s life while weaving in heartrending stories of his victims; exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends; and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities, and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror.”

The series has already been a hit with viewers, as one person said: “Honestly, one of the most harrowing and distressing things I’ve ever seen. Each episode takes time to honour and bring back to life one or more of the victims.”

Is Devil in Disguise based on a true story?

Yes, the ITV drama is based on the true story of the notorious American serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who murdered young men and boys in the 1970s. Although a dramatisation of his life and crimes, it is based on real-life events that occurred.

Known as the Killer Clown, because Gacy often dressed as one when volunteering at various events, he targeted young men and sexually assaulted many of them before killing them. And he went untraced from 1972 to 1978.

Across a six-year spree, Gacy murdered 33 young men before burying them in a mass grave under his own home in Chicago. Leading a double life, Gacy had a fascination with clowns, often using that persona to lure his victims.

But it wasn’t until 1978 that he was arrested and confessed to the crimes. His arrest came after the disappearance of teenager Robert Piest, who was Gacy’s final victim, which led authorities to suspect Gacy.

In 1980, he was convicted of killing 33 young men and sentenced to death before receiving the lethal injection at the age of 52 in 1994.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy airs tonight at 9pm on ITV.

Davina McCall married her long-term partner during an ‘absolutely beautiful’ ceremony recently, just months after the couple announced their engagement following a trip to Ibiza

Davina McCall broke down in tears during an emotional discussion with husband Michael Douglas. Davina and Michael tied the knot recently in an “absolutely beautiful” ceremony in front of their friends and family.

It came just three months after Davina, 58, announced that she and celebrity hairstylist Michael got engaged during a trip to Ibiza. The couple first started dating in 2018, having met originally on the set of Big Brother in 2000.

Their marriage came after a difficult year for Davina, who underwent surgery in November 2024 after medics discovered a colloid cyst on her brain. Just over a year later she revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a small lump.

Now on the Making the Cut podcast, Davina’s husband Michael praised the television presenter for using her fame to speak candidly about her health battles and “help a lot of people”.

It came after Michael recently read Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography. In the book, the Boss spoke candidly about his music and his life, something Michael said he found to be a “therapeutic experience”.

Michael said: “I realised the important role that famous people can have in regular people’s lives. Bruce putting his life in the paper or out there has helped me.

“I realised what it means to be married to someone like you who also does that and what it’s like to be around someone who puts themselves out in a way that is to benefit and help other people and I want to say, well done you.

“I realise what you stand for for a lot of people and I see them stop you in the street and say how grateful they are for what you decided to do with your fame and your time. In a way that Springsteen helped me, I realised you helped a lot of people.”

The touching words from her husband made The Masked Singer panellist Davina audibly tear up. Davina will return to screens with Long Lost Families tonight (January 29) from 9pm on ITV One.

The series sees Davina and co-host Nicky Campbell reuniting people with their loved ones. Tonight the series will visit Mandy whose parents had a baby girl they placed for adoption, she is now attempting to find her long-lost big sister.

Elsewhere Jane thought she was an only child until her mother revealed she had a baby boy 11 months before her. Jane now wants help finding her long lost brother who was put up for adoption.

Davina has previously spoken about the emotions she feels when reunited siblings, especially because she lost her sister to cancer in 2012. Caroline, 50, was diagnosed with lung cancer after being rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected stroke.

Speaking to Love TV, she said: “Sometimes with siblings, it’s quite hard and painful, because one sibling might have grown up with their birth family, while the other was placed for adoption. There’s a lot to unpack there, you know?”

Davina says the show’s genealogists occasionally track people down who weren’t even aware they had a sibling. “Imagine being gifted a sibling out of the blue, it would be absolutely mad,” she added.

AN Emmerdale legend has landed a soap hat-trick as it’s been revealed she’s joined a rival soap as part of new storyline.

Glenda McKay, who first appeared on Emmerdale in 1988, has now joined the cast of Hollyoaks – almost 27 years after she quit the ITV soap for a very different career.

Channel 4 bosses have cast the 54-year-old actress with the intention to include her in a forthcoming storyline.

It’s been revealed Glenda is playing a new character named Dr Pearce, though it’s currently unclear how long the soap star will remain on the show for.

The soap star’s exciting new casting was confirmed in a post shared by the talent agency Red Door Management.

They said in a post on social media: “Tune into Hollyoaks at 7pm this evening on E4 to catch Red Door’s Glenda McKay as Dr Pearce.”

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Glenda’s Hollyoaks role comes just months after she appeared in a guest stint on rival soap Coronation Street.

On the cobbles, Glenda played a social worker named Alison Hale who was dealing with street couple Tim and Sally Metcalfe as they fought to foster the Michealis’ children following their mum Lou’s imprisonment.

The actress left Emmerdale over 25 years ago when she was killed off in a memorable storyline which saw her brutally pushed off a cliff.

She spent more than 11 years on the soap and appeared in almost 750 episodes.

Her character, Rachel Hughes, was embroiled in a number of the show’s biggest storylines from affairs to having a secret child.

Glenda’s final storyline saw her enter a toxic relationship with teacher Graham Clark. He coerced her into dressing differently and forced her to dye her hair in an attempt to mould her into his dead wife.

Twisted Graham then attempted to force himself on her as she tried to break up with him.

He later chased Rachel and cornered her on a clifftop, she confronted him, and Graham ultimately pushed her to her death.

The evil teacher then lead Rachel’s friends and fellow villagers to believe that she was missing.

Since leaving Emmerdale in 1999, Glenda has only landed a handful of TV roles including guest stints on Hollyoaks and Doctors.

In 2005, Glenda appeared in Coronation Street for one episode as a love interest of cabbie Lloyd Mulaney (Craig Charles).

But in recent years, the former soap star made a startling career change as she ditched acting to work as a primary school teacher.

The Good Morning Britain presenter was showered in support after posting a touching message to her close friend.

Good Morning Britain star Susanna Reid has paid tribute to her close friend Carol Kirkwood, who announced her exit from BBC Breakfast earlier today (Tuesday 27 January).

After joining the BBC in 1998, Carol confirmed she would be leaving the corporation in April, during an emotional interview with Jon Kay and Sally Nugent.

Holding back tears, she said she had “loved every minute”, adding: “This hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but it feels like the right moment to step away. I’ll carry with me the most wonderful memories.”

Carol went on: “My job is something I’ve never taken for granted and I’ve loved every minute. From early starts and all manner of forecasts, I’ve shared it with incredible colleagues at BBC Breakfast, BBC Weather and programmes across the BBC. I’d like to thank them for their support and friendship which has meant the world.”

She concluded: “To those watching and listening at home – thank you for all the kindness you have shown me over the years, being part of your mornings has been a joy.”

Carol went on to say she plans on spending more time with her husband Steve, writing her books and travelling, and choked up as she told Sally and Jon: “It’s really hard for me to say this because I love my job. I love all of you guys, my weather colleagues, every department I’ve worked with, and of course, all the viewers I’ve been so engaged with for many years. But it’s great! I don’t want to be coming in on my Zimmer frame, going, ‘I can’t reach the Northern Isles anymore!'”

Since announcing the news, Carol has been showered in support from fans and friends alike.

Susanna was among those paying tribute on social media, writing: “CAROL KIRKWOOD! The gorgeous force of nature @carolkirkwood is leaving BBC Breakfast. Let me tell you a few things about Carol, having been lucky enough to have worked with her (and shared a hotel room with her on a hen weekend)

“1. I have NEVER seen her in a bad mood. 2. She sends cards EVERY birthday and Christmas. 3. She ALWAYS has a giggle with every viewer who recognises her off air – and everyone does.

“Good luck Carol – enjoy your well-deserved lie-ins. Love you.”

Susanna was a co-presenter on BBC Breakfast from 2001 until 2014 alongside Bill Turnbull and Charlie Stayt before she joined Good Morning Britain.

Her post was showered in support, with one follower writing: “Absolutely fabulous picture. Good luck with your new venture, beautiful lovely @carolkirkwood.”

Another said: “What a lovely pair,” as a third added: “This has genuinely been made me sad.”

Former BBC Breakfast star Dan Walker also marked the “end of an era”, as he wrote on X, alongside several pictures with Carol: “I still get asked what Carol is like in real life and she is just the same lovely person you see on the telly.

“She was always so kind, generous and funny on and off screen and she will be hugely missed on @BBCBreakfast

“Throw that alarm clock away Carol. Long may she reign.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.

There is a child abduction about to happen in Poplar and a new detective is tasked to solve the crime

Call the Midwife is set to welcome a new character to the BBC drama, and he is a familiar face.

The new season of the BBC drama returned on Sunday, 11 January, as the plot continued into 1971. The midwives of Nonnatus House have so far embraced the Women’s Liberation Movement while facing worrying changes as the National Health Service expands.

Nurse Rosalind Clifford (played by Natalie Quarry) has assisted a Romanian national escape a harrowing slavery ordeal, while Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey) saved a mother’s life thanks to her quick thinking around a blood transfusion.

Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings) struggles with her dedication to her religion as her longing for a baby surfaces, and she grows attached to baby Christopher, who is being cared for by Shelagh Turner (Laura Main).

In a sneak peek into Sunday’s forthcoming episode of Call the Midwife (February 1), Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte) enjoys a date with Nurse Clifford as the romance blossoms, but the midwife looks worried. The couple can be seen sitting on a bench in a woodland area by a lake, taking a break from their demanding jobs.

Meanwhile, Sister Catherine (Molly Vevers) is distraught when a newborn baby is snatched from the maternity home. But who has taken the baby and why? It appears police detectives, led by DI Holbrook (Martin Delaney), are on the hunt to track down the baby and the person responsible.

Who plays DI Holbrook in Call the Midwife?

Actor and producer Martin Delaney is taking the police detective role on the BBC period drama, and is no stranger to television shows, having launched an acting career as a child.

Now 43, Delaney played the role of Benjamin Oates in the popular show, Pie in the Sky, for one episode in 1997, before making appearances in Wycliffe (1998) and London’s Burning (2000).

However, fans of the popular Nickelodeon show Redford Rejects will know the star as Jason Summerbee. The teen sitcom followed a group of schoolboys who formed their own football team and aired from 1998 to 2001.

Martin then landed the part of Paul Webb in Family Affairs between 2001 and 2002, and has also starred in a long list of other television shows, including Outlander, Casualty, Doctors, Rock & Chips, and The Bill.

Most recently, the star played Rob Ryan in The Man Who Saved the Internet with a Sunflower, Bonded by Blood 2, and Barry in A Christmas Carol.

Call the Midwife airs Sunday at 8pm on ITV and ITVX