The real-life Delia Balmer has spoken up about the new drama series, Until I Kill You, which is based on the traumatic events that happened to her.
ITV's new drama is based on real-life events and was adapted from Delia's book Living with a Serial Killer. Set in 1991, the series follows London-based agency nurse Delia ( Anna Maxwell Martin ), who initially believes she's found a true romantic connection with 'fellow free spirit' John Sweeney (Shaun Evans).
After the two met in a Camden pub, Delia believed she'd found common ground with carpenter and casual labourer John, who shared her love of travelling. On the surface, Liverpool-born John proved to be an adoring boyfriend, regularly treating the then 40-year-old Delia to bunches of flowers. Little did she know at the time that her new beau was in fact a dangerous killer who would one day direct his rage onto her.
Speaking about the new series, Delia said her 'concern has always been to get the truth out by whatever means' and added that she 'remains an angry person' about the whole ordeal, which saw her break up with him in 1994 before he forced his way into her home and held her hostage for four days. It wasn't until 2001 that he was arrested for his crimes.
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ITV)"When I wrote my original story, I included every detail of what happened. When it came to the final attack on the doorstep, I edited it over and over again, wanting everything to read precisely as it had happened," she explained ahead of the series. "My concern has always been to get the truth out by whatever means. I remain an angry person. Sweeney was let out on bail. The police gave me insufficient protection before his final assault. Later, I was forced to go to court to be further traumatised by the system."
Delia was also asked how she felt about the story being made into a series. She answered: "I wrote my own original story because I wanted the facts of what really happened known. Often the media had not portrayed them accurately, and many issues important to me had not been stated. The printed book had been edited and much of what I had written was also omitted.
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SCU)"I met Nick Stevens, the writer of the drama, in my literary agent’s office. He has included some of the events which I had written about that did not appear in the book. I gave him detailed critiques of the drafts he had written. He followed my wishes and made certain changes where possible, and as I had suggested. Nick is very nice, and in his own words says he is trying to help me. The team at ITV have also treated me favourably. I had the opportunity of visiting the set in Wales. It was interesting to watch filming of some of the drama."
When he held her hostage, he restrained her to a bed and threatened her life with a knife and a gun. He also admitted to the murder of 33-year-old Melissa Halstead (his ex-girlfriend) and two additional men in Amsterdam. Delia eventually managed to escape, reporting John to the police again. While he was arrested for holding her hostage, he was released on bail, before attacking Delia with an axe and severing her finger, leaving her with life-changing injuries. A neighbour intervened with a baseball bat, helping Delia to escape, while John Sweeney went on the run.
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English (US) ·