THE latest ITV drama to grip the nation, The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe tells the shocking tale of John Darwin’s infamous fake death and subsequent life insurance fraud. 

A story that rocked the nation, prison officer John Darwin - played by Eddie Marsan - faked his own death in 2002 after amassing more than £700,000 in debt.

After asking his wife to lie about his whereabouts to claim £250,000 in life insurance the pair set out on a new life in Panama City. 

Bournemouth Echo: The infamous photo was sent by a reader to the Daily Mirror and created front page news (Daily Mirror/PA)The infamous photo was sent by a reader to the Daily Mirror and created front page news (Daily Mirror/PA)

However, after realising this would not be possible John decided to return home and handed himself in to the police, claiming he had amnesia in 2007. 

Police were already suspicious, however, due to Anne’s trips to Panama. Their ruse was finally confirmed when a photograph was found on the internet showing the smiling couple posing in a Panama estate agents' office. 

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The pair were arrested and found guilty of fraud - each receiving a six-year jail sentence in 2008.

What happened to John Darwin?

John was released from prison in January 2011 - and Anne two months later. 

Before their release, Anne decided that she wanted to separate from him and they later got divorced.

Bournemouth Echo: John Darwin (Cleveland Police/PA)John Darwin (Cleveland Police/PA)

It has been reported that John Darwin, now 71, lives in the Philippines with his new wife, Mercy May, aged 47. 

According to The Mirror, the couple moved out of the capital city of Manila last year to a property around 30 minutes away.

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Mercy May is a mum-of-three who owns her own retail business. John, meanwhile, is reportedly still receiving his UK state pension.

What happened to Anne Darwin? 

Anne was imprisoned in HM Prison Low Newton alongside evil serial killer Rose West and was released in March 2011 after serving half of her sentence - two months after John left prison.

Speaking on This Morning in 2016 Anne said the prison sentence “came as a shock”. 

Bournemouth Echo: Actress Monica Dolan plays Anne Darwin in the ITV drama. Credit: ITV/PAActress Monica Dolan plays Anne Darwin in the ITV drama. Credit: ITV/PA

She said: "I was given no indication that the sentence would be that long. It came as a shock.

"Yes, I committed the crime and I deserved to be punished. I wasn't prepared for that at all."

Using the qualifications she gained in prison she found a job with the RSPCA and moved to a village outside of York.

Anne wrote about her experiences in her book, Out of My Depth, with the proceeds going to the RNLI and the RSPCA.

What happened to John Darwin’s sons?

The pair's sons, Anthony and Mark, publicly denounced their parents and stated they wished to have no further contact with them.

Bournemouth Echo: Anne Darwin has reconnected with her sons after spending nine years rebuilding their relationship. Credit: ITV/PAAnne Darwin has reconnected with her sons after spending nine years rebuilding their relationship. Credit: ITV/PA

It took Mark and Anne nine years to rebuild their relationship after what he described as “indescribable pain” caused by his mother.

Mark said: "It was a cruel act of betrayal that no parent should ever inflict on their children - the pain and suffering it caused me and my brother is indescribable. The horror of the discovery, my sheer fury and what they put me through, is something that will taint my life forever."

He added:

"I have forgiven her, to some degree, but I will never understand, nor forget.”

Anne has also reunited with Anthony and spends time with her four grandchildren.