VIEWERS already knew the ending, but it didn't stop the last episode of ITV's controversial true crime drama The Secret from being the north's most watched programme on Friday night.
An estimated 338,000 viewers tuned in for the fourth and final instalment which saw dentist Colin Howell (James Nesbitt) finally confess to the murder of his wife Lesley and Trevor Buchanan, husband of his ex-lover and accomplice Hazel Stewart (Genevieve O'Reilly).
Broadcast just one day after the 25th anniversary of the double murders in Castlerock, Co Derry, which the pair successfully disguised as a suicide, the depiction of how Howell and Stewart were finally convicted and sent to prison for the crimes shocked some viewers.
"A very sad and shocking story. Both as guilty as the other. A gripping watch," was one verdict on Twitter, while another simply wrote: "The last #TheSecret is brutal."
There was also much praise for the actors' performances, with speculation that Nesbitt's chilling portrayal of Howell could earn him award nominations.
"That was some of the best tv I've ever seen," said one viewer. "James Nesbitt is an absolutely phenomenal actor - new found respect #TheSecret".
Attracting an average of 5.5m viewers across the ITV network throughout its run – around a fifth of all viewers – The Secret has also been criticised by the families of Trevor Buchanan and Lesley Howell.
Lauren Bradford, daughter of Colin and Lesley Howell, complained in The Guardian earlier this month that the programme was brought to air without proper regard to how it might affect those still coming to terms with their loss.
"When media interest goes beyond the reporting of events and is against the wishes of family members, the effects can be as devastating as the murder itself," she said.
Labour MP Louise Haigh also raised concerns about the impact on the families of the murder victims in the House of Commons.
At least one viewer picked up on this following the final episode, tweeting: "Given NI historic legacy, these issues will face other families over coming years #timeforchange #thesecret."
