The Moorside

First of a two-part drama based on the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews. Following the disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews in Dewsbury in 2008, the police and community mount a frantic search but no trace of her can be found and within a few hours the police investigation takes on the scale of a murder enquiry. Appeals by the apparently grief-stricken mother, Karen Matthews, come to nothing and yet the community, led by Julie Bushby (Sheridan Smith) stand by her and make extraordinary efforts of their own to find Shannon. Just as all hope is close to fading, she is found alive. The wild celebrations of Julie and the community are rapidly cut short when they learn that Shannon has been found with a man known to Karen Matthews.

There is jubilation on the estate when Shannon is found with Mick Donovan, uncle to Karen's boyfriend, who initially claims to have taken the little girl to Blackpool but later confesses to the police that Karen forced him to hide Shannon so that they could share the reward money.