YEP Letters: February 9

What you thought of The Moorside

Hundreds of people have taken to social media to talk about BBC1 drama The Moorside based on the hoax kidnapping of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews. The first episode of the two-part drama - which stars Sheridan Smith and depicts how the Dewsbury Moor community attempted to find Shannon - was shown on Tuesday. Here’s how YEP readers have been reacting on Facebook...

Kelly Phillips-Shaw

I think full stop it was disgraceful to even make a TV programme about it.

And before anyone says anything, no I didn’t watch it. Wasn’t Shannon put through enough when it happened the first time? She will obviously have known about the programme being aired.

What was the actual point in making this programme? Can Shannon just get on with her young life, without this being a reminder?

This woman was clearly deranged. She obviously did it for attention, and once again has attention.

I praise the community and the police for their countless man hours and efforts in searching for this young girl, but making a TV programme about it was shameful.

Joanne Plumbley

I used to live in Leeds but I’m now back in Nottingham.

The thing that strikes me about West Yorkshire is that it’s such a friendly place with a huge sense of community and people are genuinely kind and caring. I literally feel the pain for the community because I can see just how much effort they all put into helping.

Jono Dewhirst

Sheridan Smith is pure British acting royalty. Brilliant in everything she does.

Clare Kitchen-Barnfather

Loved it, can’t wait for next week.

It’s left me fuming though, I feel so bad for everyone who rallied round to offer support.

Amy Johnson

Just made me angry!

I think if this was just a drama, not a true story, I would enjoy the drama. But because it’s true, it has just made me angry. The amount of resources and money used searching for her is ridiculous. It wasn’t just the police, it was the fire crews too. They haven’t been mentioned, they weren’t given the credit for what they did.

My stepdad who was a fire officer and part of the search, he refuses to watch this.

Leanne Moss

I really enjoyed it tonight, touching.

I can’t wait until next week I think it would have been good to see second part the next day as a follow on, not a week. Got to give it to Sheridan Smith, fantastic actress! Well done!

Anne Leeming

I thought the accents were ok?

A fab portrayal of a well documented crime, my heart goes out to the now 18-year-old Shannon.

Kelly Wright

I thought it was brilliant, can’t wait for next week.

People moaning about the poor West Yorkshire accent, have you ever been to Dewsbury?

Even the “real” Julie said she couldn’t believe how spot on Sheridan got her!

Dave Wilson

Is there any chance in the near future that West Yorkshire could be portrayed in a good light please? Sick of being embarrassed by how stupid the media make us look!

Hilary West

The likeness to “Karen” and “Craig” is excellent.

The neighbour (Natalie) was spot on trusting her gut instinct when everyone else was blind to what was really going on. How deceived and let down must some of that community have felt when the truth came out. Hope that Shannon is happy and healthy wherever she is.

Sara Sadr

The sense of community was fantastic.

I felt deep sadness for Shannon, her siblings and her friends at school and the neighbours that were duped and lied to. West Yorkshire Police were brilliant and the community were reflected with greatness.

Carol Cynthia

I THOUGHT it was a very good portrayal of what actually happened, right down to small details.

All the actors did brilliantly, not just Sheridan Smith, they were all very good.

Kayleigh Monaghan

How a mother could put her own child through this for money?

Was upsetting to see how much everyone else in the community did to help find Shannon, while she danced around and thought of the next lie to tell. I remember watching it all on the news at the time and thinking she knew more!

Tina Louise Smith

Extremely good.

Shows Yorkshire people for how they are, loyal, friendly, fiercely supportive.

It brought home even more how cruel and vindictive Karen Matthews was to take in her family and friend with such deception, let alone the abhorrent mental abuse her daughter suffered due to this.

Lynne Morrison

Don’t understand why everyone is calling Karen evil.

The poor woman is obviously struggling with problems of her own. She’s almost childlike and gets easily manipulated. Look at the bigger picture.

Clive Arnold

Dramatised, in other words bits of made up nonsense stuck in because us ordinary people can’t watch something that is factual.

Didn’t watch it and won’t watch any ‘dramatised’ TV programme based on actual happenings #DumbingDown

Jane McConomy

I only watched the last 20 minutes.

I honestly feel the whole community was betrayed. Moorside was a great community stained by one poisonous individual.

David Morgan

I think Julie Bushby should be proud of Sheridan Smith’s portrayal of her and proud of what she did.

It’s a shame she was let down by her best friend.

Nicola Scott

It was well acted but accents were terrible.

It was too soon and I just feel for 18-year-old Shannon wherever she is knowing that this is on.

Emma Stephenson

It was a great portrayal.

I liked Natalie, she quickly got the measure. Julie is inspiring, must have broken her heart, to have been so manipulated.

Heather Bartle

I heard that the community has really pulled together since and that the part the church played helped a lot of people.

Jude Ashton

the people who focus on the Yorkshire accent and not the programme are short sighted.

This is not what is important but the story of a community. Anyway how do these people do define a “ Yorkshire accent.” We do not all talk the same. After all writers do not have to have committed a murder to write a thriller.

Lindy Wiltshire

I thought it was very good and thought the neighbour had the most authentic accent....coming from that neck of the wood she sounded most like we do.

Good though, better if it had been on longer.

Caron Andrade

Very moving and sad that it’s true.

Shannon was found alive which is uplifting. Well acted. Very convincing.

Alan Waddell

No need for this.

We all saw it played out for real on the news. Not sure why anyone has made this?

Betty Broom

I WELL remember this happening , feel sad that Shannon at 18-years-old will see it though.

Hope she is doing well and that life is good for her now .