Manhunt, Martin Clunes Credit: ITV
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ITV slammed for “sick” advert during break of new drama Manhunt

They weren't impressed with the unfortunate timing

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New ITV drama Manhunt has been a hit with fans, but during Monday night’s episode of the show it had them feeling uncomfortable during the ad break.

The drama is based on the real-life hunt for killer Levi Bellfield, and stars Martin Clunes as Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Colin Sutton.

The search for the murderer began after the body of French student Amélie Delagrange was found on Twickenham common, and much of the hunt was focused on trying to identify his vehicle – a white van.

Manhunt Credit: ITV
The white van has been central to the search (Credit: ITV)

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The van was first found to be significant in the opening episode on Sunday night as the force searched for their killer.

By Monday DCI Sutton was visiting a van yard hoping to get more clues.

Manhunt white van Credit: ITV
DCI Sutton hunts down the white van (Credit: ITV)

However, when the show cut to an ad break, fans were horrified that one of the commercials was for a van.

Venting their frustration on Twitter, with one saying: “Anyone else think it’s a bit sick that #Vauxhall place a advert for a van at the first break for #Manhunt?” viewers weren’t happy.

“Can’t believe they stuck an advert for a van on the break of this particular episode of #Manhunt,” added another.

https://twitter.com/clalavelle/status/1082385101479178241

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The episode saw the detectives discover Bellfield and focus their search on him thanks to a witness statement made about a past crime in which he used a hammer as a weapon in an attack.

In real life Bellfield was eventually brought to justice for the murder of Amélie, as well as the killing of Marsha McDonnell and Milly Dowler, and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy.

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Carena Crawford
Associate Editor (Soaps)

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