'Canoe Widow' Anne Darwin Had A Massive Glow-Up After Prison Release

Anne Darwin looks almost unrecognisable after being released from prison for assisting her husband in faking his own death, as currently depicted in new ITV drama, The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe.

Based on a true story, the four-part series recounts the national scandal of John and Anne Darwin, who were caught and found guilty of fraud in 2008.

After being sentenced to six years in a maximum security prison, Anne finally reappeared in 2016, with a whole new look.

In photos from the original court case, Anne was photographed looking understandably distressed, sporting a short grey haircut.

However, when she reemerged for an interview on This Morning in 2016, she had a platinum blonde bob, looking fresh as a daisy with a full face of makeup - as though she had aged in reverse since the scandal first hit her family.

Speaking on the ITV show, Anne opened up about rebuilding her life and her relationship with her sons.

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"I am extremely lucky to have them. And when I was in prison I felt I had lost them forever. And that led me into a deep depression. But fortunately I came through that with help, and I've managed to turn my life around" she said.

The ITV drama retells the true story John Darwin's infamous fake death in 2002, and how Anne helped him cover it up for years before they were found out. 

The couple allegedly came up with the plan to claim John's life insurance money, after falling into difficult financial times.

Various slip-ups eventually resulted in them being found out, with their story circulating around the world. In 2008 they were arrested and went to court, with John sentenced to six years and three months in prison and Anne receiving six months six years.

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Speaking on her sentencing back in 2016, Anne told Phil Schofield and Holly Willoughby: "I always expected to be found guilty. I just hoped there was a way that I could prove I hadn't gone along with it willingly. And that's why I didn't plead guilty in the first place. When it came to sentencing, I had been given no indication that the sentence would be as severe as it was. So that came as a total shock."

The four part drama began on ITV on Sunday 17th April and features actor Eddie Marsan alongside on-screen wife Monica Dolan as they play out the story of John Darwin and his wife Anne.

The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe continues on Tuesday night at 9pm on ITV.

Topics: TV And Film, ITV

Ali Condon

Ali is a journalist for LADbible Group, writing on all things film, music, and entertainment across Tyla, LADbible and UNILAD. You can contact Ali at [email protected].

@alicondon