Entertainment
John Sweeney real-life victims, how he evaded capture and where he is now
The horrific crimes that John Sweeney committed have inspired the new ITV drama Until I Kill You – which airs tonight (November 3).
The four-part drama follows nurse Delia Balmer’s terrifying experience with boyfriend John – who she later realised was a serial killer. Anna Maxwell Martin plays Delia, while Shaun Evans has taken on the role of John.
But where is John Sweeney now? And how did he avoid capture for so long? Keep reading to find out…
Until I Kill You: John Sweeney and his real-life victims
John’s first victim was believed to be Melissa Halstead. She was an American-born model, originally from Ohio, who struck up a romance with Sweeney in 1986. In May 1990, her torso was discovered in a Dutch canal.
In 1991, John met Delia Balmer, now 71. The pair quickly struck up a romance. However, his dark side soon came out and led to a series of violent attacks on Delia. During one attack, he told her he killed his former girlfriend – Halstead – and disposed of her body in an Amsterdam canal.
Delia – who was with him for three years – went to the police and reported the crime. Sweeney was arrested but, due to a catastrophic failure to realise how dangerous he was, he was granted bail.
While out on bail, in 1994, he attacked Delia again. This time, he held Delia captive and raped her for a week before attacking her with a hammer and an axe. She managed to survive the attack but lost a finger and sustained several other injuries.
He evaded police capture and disappeared.
While on the run, in 2000, he met and murdered Paula Fields. Her body, which was cut into six pieces and stuffed into holdalls, was found in Regent’s Canal, London, in 2001.
His gruesome crimes aren’t thought to stop there, though. It’s thought Sweeney may have committed at least three more murders as three other women who were reportedly in relationships with him have never been located by police.
Murders linked
Sweeney wasn’t able to be charged with the murder of Melissa Halstead until 2008, after advances in DNA testing.
The two murders were then linked in February 2010. As a result, police arrested him at Gartree Prison in Leicestershire, where he was already serving life for the attack on Delia.
How John Sweeney evaded capture
Following his attack on Delia Balmer in 1994 – which inspired the new ITV show – John went on the run.
In 2001 though, he was finally arrested at a central London building site, following the discovery of Paula Fields’ remains.
When cops searched John’s flat, they found 300 pieces of violent artwork and poems. They also came across a wig, collection of guns, ammunition and a machete.
During the 2011 murder trial, the court heard that John decapitated the women and cut off their hands in an attempt to conceal their identity. The body parts have never been found.
Where he is now
Sweeney is now serving a whole life sentence without parole following sentencing at the Old Bailey. He has been told he will die in jail.
Talking about the offences, Judge Mr Justice Saunders said: “These were terrible, wicked crimes. The heads of the victims having been removed, it is impossible to be certain how they were killed. The mutilation of the bodies is a serious aggravating feature of the murders.
“Not only does it reveal the cold-blooded nature of the killer, but it has added greatly to the distress of the families to know that parts of their loved ones have never been recovered.”
In a statement, Melissa Halstead’s family said: “The family’s hope for the future is that John Sweeney will never be allowed free to carry out such crimes again.”
Until I Kill You airs on Sunday (November 3) at 9pm on ITV1.
Read more: Celebrity Traitors bosses ‘sign up’ Daisy May Cooper and her brother for 2025 series
So what did you think of ITV’s Until I Kill You? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.
Claudia Winkleman is back at the helm of The Traitors for its third season, and enjoyed dressing up as a yeti for the production, but she’s since lamented having to return all the lovely tweeds and knitwear she got to wear during filming.
Claudia previously teased a huge twist for The Traitors season 3 that she says will keep audiences on the edge of their seats… or sofas.
But naturally, if she told you, she’d have to… well, she’s not allowed to reveal what it is, let’s leave it that way.
Claudia Winkleman couldn’t keep her Traitors show wardrobe
What Claudia can tell us, though, is that at one point during filming for The Traitors series 3, she tried to look like an actual yeti.
Generally speaking, however, she said audiences can expect “more knitwear, quite a lot of tweed, and I sleep in fingerless gloves”.
“More tweed, more big sweaters and at one point I try and look like an actual yeti,” she revealed to the BBC in a recent interview.
But she didn’t get to keep much of it, unfortunately, so catch her in tweed while you can.
“I’ve snuck home a couple of pairs of gloves, but sadly most of it, I have to give it a little kiss whilst not wearing lipstick, and send it back,” she complained.
The Traitors encourages Winkleman away from her signature style
Claudia once revealed in an interview with Vernon Kay for BBC Radio 2 that she modelled her signature aesthetic on a fictitious male mature French student studying physics in Lyon. His (made up) name is Jean.
However, while knitwear, tweed and fingerless gloves are a departure from her usual style, it’s not an unwelcome one. Besides that, she’s a huge fan of the show at large.
“I love every single part of it,” she said. “I love the show so much, and I feel incredibly lucky to do it.”
She loves meeting all the contestants, “trying to be invisible at the roundtable”, and watching all the grisly action unfold around her.
However, that’s about all she can reveal about what’s to come on season 3.
“I would love to tell you all about series three, but then I will get fired so I can tell you absolutely nothing.
“What I will tell you is that things are different this year. There are some really exciting things that have changed, which keeps everyone on the toes and feeds into the central premise of trust! I can’t wait for everyone to see.”
Fans thrilled about Traitors comeback
Fans of the show have been celebrating its return, or imminent return, by commenting on the teaser trailer.
“Best reality show on the telly right now,” one YouTube user commented. “We’ve seen various versions of this but the first UK season was the best. Wilfred getting sussed out in the final episode made my year!”
The Traitors starts on BBC One on New Year’s Day.
So, will you be watching on January 1? Tell us on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
Entertainment
Phil to burn The Vic down in fire and die in depression storyline, a new fan theory predicts
In a new EastEnders theory, fans believe Phil Mitchell will be about to get a very dark storyline . And it could result in his death.
Reports suggest that an explosion is set to shake up The Queen Vic in the near future with lives in the balance. Fans have been trying to work out who.
It’s believed that major characters may face the end of the road in the blaze. And it could destroy the iconic pub.
While it’s not known exactly who will be involved in the drama, as the Carters and Knights live there, surely they can’t all escape it?…
Phil Mitchell worrying behaviour
But it’s Phil Mitchell who is concerning fans, and a new EastEnders theory suggests he may cause it, and be the character facing death.
However, no death has been confirmed. But the show’s 40th anniversary is in February, and it’s typical soap fashion to go big on special dates.
While it’s been a tough year for him, Phil began to burn all bridges with his family and friends earlier this year, causing arguments. It even led to Denise moving out.
In recent scenes, Phil has become lonely, but the EastEnders icon refuses to open up to anyone.
As more and more fans begin to worry about him, one predicted that extremely dark times are coming.
EastEnders theory suggests death and fire for Phil Mitchell
A viewer wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Wonder if EastEnders will turn Phil into a drunk and he’ll end up burning The Vic down, with Phil being killed?”
It may be an extreme theory, but it is EastEnders and it sounds completely plausible.
The theory comes after it was reported last month that he is set for a huge Christmas storyline.
It’s believed Phil will face a dark mental health battle and even struggle with suicidal thoughts. If the theory is right could this lead to him burning down The Vic?
There has also been several reports that his brother, Grant Mitchell, may be returning to the soap. While many thought he could be the one to get through to Phil, could he actually be back for his brother’s funeral?
Of course, long-time viewers will remember Phil actually set fire to the pub back in 2010, after he drunkenly accused Peggy of loving it more than him. So could he go for round two?
No matter what happens, it’s certainly not going to be a quiet Christmas in Walford.
Read more: Guide to all exits and returns in EastEnders.
EastEnders usually airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
What do you think of this theory? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
Cat Deeley sparked mixed reactions on This Morning after a segment involving a leotard printed with co-host Ben Shephard’s face.
While some viewers found the moment hilarious, others criticised the behaviour, with some killjoys labelling it “inappropriate”.
Cat Deeley wears Ben Shephard’s face and This Morning viewers go nuts
During Tuesday’s episode, Ben teased Cat about leaving behind her gift from the show’s Christmas party – a one-piece with his face printed on the front and back.
“Here you go, I retrieved it for you,” Ben joked, presenting her with the item.
“I was leaving that behind on purpose,” Cat quipped. However, she promised viewers she would “pop it on” later.
True to her word, Cat returned after the break wearing the outfit over her red velvet suit, striking silly poses and leaving Ben in fits of laughter. As Cat danced around, Ben joked that his nose had never looked so huge.
Best thing I’ve seen all year.
The segment received a mix of praise and backlash online. Some viewers took to Twitter to express their disapproval.
“Surely, this is inappropriate and suggestive behaviour from Cat? #ThisMorning,” one viewer complained.
“Even when Cat tries to do a ‘funny bit,’ it comes off clunky, forced, and cringe #ThisMorning,” another moaned. “Gross,” penned a third. “Really don’t see the funny side, the gyrating was inappropriate,” said another viewer.
‘Fair play – that was brave!’
However, not everyone saw it negatively. Some viewers applauded Cat for her sense of humour and confidence.
“Fair play to Cat for taking the [bleep! #ThisMorning,” one fan laughed. “Got to give Cat credit there, that was brave,” another commented.
“Cat, so funny and Ben’s right – the nose is weird,” a third fan agreed. “Best thing I’ve seen all year,” another praised.
Cat poked fun of the TV moment on her socials, too, posting that she was “always cool” while gyrating once more for her followers.
Ben also outed the Secret Santa gifter as Josie Gibson on his socials after the show.
So what do you think of the swimsuit? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix
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