Film star takes on role of former officer for ITV drama

The key role a former Cheshire officer played in solving a serial killer case will be broadcast in an ITV crime drama this month.

The Pembrokeshire Murders (The Bullseye Killer) will be a three-part ITV1 show based on the true events around two double murders in West Wales in the mid to late1980s.

The murders were left unsolved for around 20 years, until Det Supt Steve Wilkins helped re-open the case in 2005.

It was finally cracked thanks to advances in forensics — and a vital clue in murderer John Cooper’s appearance on a TV game show near the time of the second murders.

An artist impression of the suspect led to the recognition of the killer when examined alongside footage from an old 1989 episode of Bullseye – a darts/quiz gameshow which was popular in the 80s and 90s.

Steve, who will be played by Hollywood actor Luke Evans in the show, joined Cheshire Constabulary in 1980 as a PC.

He worked in uniform, and later CID at Winsford, before a spell on the Serious Crime Squad (SCS) as a Detective Constable.

Steve transferred to Dyfed Powys Police on promotion to Sergeant in 1992, where he quickly climbed the ranks before retiring as Detective Chief Superintendent in 2012.

The TV drama is based on his book - The Pembrokeshire Murders: Catching The Bullseye Killer.

Steve said: “This case went on for six years from start to finish. It had never been my intention to write a book, but I was contacted by many writers from Wales who said they were keen to do it.

“I spoke to the families of the victims and they said to me ‘if there’s going to be a book, we’d rather you write it’.

“That way I was able to stick to what happened in the investigation and keep it factual. Thankfully that has been

the same with the TV drama – we’ve had a good input with the script writers and always kept the families of the victims in mind.”

On being played by Luke Evans, Steve joked: “I thought it would be Johnny Vegas to be honest so I was a bit surprised!

“I met Luke and we went for a couple of beers and went through the investigation and everything that happened. He’s a lovely guy and enjoyed doing a show in Wales.

“It is a surreal experience watching someone say the exact words that you said, but he’s done a great job, as have all the actors and the rest of the team on the show.”

Steve has now moved back to Cheshire and lives near Nantwich.

Speaking about his time at the Constabulary he said: “I have really fond memories of my time in Cheshire, I worked with some great people and had some great times.

“I always regard Cheshire as the place where I got a great grounding for being a detective.”

The Pembrokeshire Murders (The Bullseye Killer) will be aired on ITV1 on Monday 11 January over three nights.

Pictured - Luke Evans and Steve Wilkins.