This Morning viewers have been left in tears after the real Mr Bates was gifted a huge surprise holiday.
Now, in case you've not had the chance to catch up on some telly, you'll know there's a brand-new ITV drama all about the shocking story of 'the greatest miscarriage of justice in British legal history'.
The four-part series, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which boasts a star-studded cast including the likes of Toby Jones, Ian Hart and Julie Hesmondhalgh, follows the character of Alan Bates (Jones) who took on the Post Office and won.
Telling the true story of a decades-long scandal which saw hundreds of works be wrongly accused of crimes between 1999 and 2015, the official premise for the drama reads: "The extraordinary story of the greatest miscarriage of justice in British legal history, where hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters and postmistresses were wrongly accused of theft, fraud and false accounting due to a defective IT system."
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Mr Bates worked as a sub-postmaster at a post office in Llandudno and tirelessly spent 20 years campaigning for people to hear the truth about what happened and even took the Post Office to court.
He has since been gifted a 'well-earned' luxury holiday by Sir Richard Branson after being touched by his story.
The Virgin founder reached out to Mr Bates after seeing his interview in The Times where he said: "If Richard Branson is reading this, I'd love a holiday."
The news was announced during During ITV's This Morning, with hosts Craig Doyle and Josie Gibson reading out a message from the billionaire to Mr Bates and his wife Suzanne.
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"Dear Alan, I did get a chance to read your moving interview in The Times, and we’d love to offer you and Suzanne a well-earned holiday on Necker Island," he wrote.
"I can’t think of anyone who deserves a break more. Hopefully, see you there. Best, Richard."
The pair were treated to upper-class return flights, as well as a Mediterranean cruise this summer leaving Mr Bates beyond touched.
"Thank you very much, Richard! Much appreciated! Much needed, but very much appreciated," he said.
Fans of the show have since rushed to social media to share their reactions to the news with one X, formerly Twitter, user writing: "Aww I’m not crying you are so well deserved for Mr Bates and his partner Suzanne. Hope they have an amazing time!"
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A second added: "Awww Mr and Mrs Bates getting the holiday they deserve!"
"I hope Mr Bates has a fantastic holiday," echoed a third. "He so deserves it."
All four episodes of Mr Bates vs The Post Office are currently available to watch on ITVX.
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