Viewers were left “sobbing” and “heartbroken” after watching a TV dramatisation of the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones.
Harrowing scenes in ITV’s Little Boy Blue saw the 11-year-old gunned down on his way home from football practice in Croxteth, Liverpool, in 2007.
“I’ll do my utmost to get whoever did this… I promise you that.” #LittleBoyBlue New drama based on a true story. Tonight 9pm @ITV pic.twitter.com/jbAGzwLsmG
— ITV (@ITV) April 24, 2017
Viewers said it was “hard to watch” as actress Sinead Keenan, who played Rhys’s mother Melanie, held him as he lay bleeding on the ground.
@berry_and_rye Absolutely tragic and painful to watch #littleboyblue
— Tatt (@toothfairy564) April 24, 2017
I have not stopped crying since this started. So painful to watch. So tragic #littleboyblue
— Francesca Turner (@turnerps) April 24, 2017
Hundreds of tweets were from people saying they were “heartbroken”.
Kissed both my boys and tucked them up extra tight tonight ???? Every parents worst nightmare and pain #littleboyblue ?? xx
— Sally Kershaw-strode (@mustangsally82) April 24, 2017
Many viewers wrote messages sending their thoughts to Rhys’s parents Melanie and Steve, who gave their blessing to the programme.
Such a tough watch. Every parents worst nightmare, god bless his Mum, Dad and Brother. That's something you never get over. #LittleBoyBlue
— Jacqueline E. White (@Jacqui_Blanco) April 24, 2017
Others expressed their anger at killer Sean Mercer, who was 16 at the time.
I think Mercer will be out in about 10 years, too. Justice? #littleboyblue
— MLW (@19MLW85) April 24, 2017
Taboo actor Stephen Graham played Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly in the programme, which explored the impact of the crime amid a wave of gang violence.
The drama was written by Jeff Pope, executive producer of The Moorside, about the faked kidnapping of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.
