Four Lives: New True Crime Drops On BBC Monday 3rd January

In a departure from his usual comedic roles, Stephen Merchant will portray the serial killer, who raped his four victims and gave a fatal dose of GHB in his flat in Barking, East London.

Sheridan Smith will play Sarah Sak, the mother of one of Port's victims, Anthony Walgate, and other cast members including Jaime Winstone, Rufus Jones and Stephanie Hyam.

The drama was first announced in August 2018, and was expected to be released later that year, but experienced significant delays.

Three years on, the factual drama will finally air over three consecutive nights from Monday 3 January on BBC One at 9pm.

All three episode will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from Monday 3 January.

The series - produced by Jeff Pope and Neil McKay - was initially titled The Barking Murders after the location where the murders were committed.

However, producers decided to change the name in order to honour the four lives that were lost and their families.

"The show is very much about the four young lives snuffed out and the deaths that could have been prevented."

Watch Four Lives on Monday, January 3 on BBC One at 9pm and BBC iPlayer.