Until I Kill You viewers ‘traumatised’ watching distressing real-life drama & issue major complaint over escape scene

VIEWERS of ITV’s dark new real-life drama Until I Kill You have admitted they have been left traumatised by the programme.

The second episode of the show, starring actress Anna Maxwell Martin, had viewers on the edges of their seats with its tense scenes.

Not known, clear with picture desk

ITV

The series dramatises Delia Balmer’s real-life near fatal relationship with the infamous Scalp Hunter killer.

Anna plays the role of Delia in the programme which chronicles the violent and controlling relationship she has with John Sweeney and is based on true events.

Amid the scary and shocking nature of the programme, some viewers were left issuing a major complaint after Delia finally managed to escape the flat where she had been held against her will.

In the scene, Delia and John could be seen sleeping side-by-side on a mattress on the floor in the flat where she had been held.

But with John firmly asleep, Delia took her chance and decided to make a run from it from the flat.

However, viewers were left calling out two scenes which followed, one of which saw Delia grabbing a bicycle from the flat before making her escape.

The bicycle wheels turned, making a noise, but John remained asleep.

Next, Delia was seen speaking with confidante and head nurse at the hospital, Leah, played by Amanda Wilkin, where she reveals what has been going on.

Leah told Delia she needed to report what had happened to the police.

It led viewers of the show to insist that Delia should have headed straight to the police as soon as she managed to break free from her captor.

Writing online, one viewer penned: “#UntilIKillYou how did she not go straight to police!”

Others were left remarking on her opting to take her bike with her during the escape as they said: “OMG, just run! Leave the bike behind!!!”

Before someone else added: “Leave the bike. Just run.”

A fourth viewer went on to write: “Omg!! Traumatised watching #untilikillyou on #itv.”

In reality, Sweeney began a relationship with Delia, an agency nurse, in 1991 when he met her in Camden.

After dating for three years, she became suspicious upon finding rope and gloves under their bed.

When Sweeney learned Delia was suspicious of him, he held her hostage for four days.

She managed to free herself and escape, prompting him to go on the run.

Sweeney’s victims included his former girlfriend Melissa Halstead and mother-of-three Paula Fields.

Unlike other true-crime dramatisations, Until I Kill You focuses on Delia’s experience with the killer instead of Sweeney’s perspective.

Rex