The Moorside: Gemma Whelan wins praise from viewers for portrayal of Shannon Matthews’ mum Karen Matthews – ‘She deserves an award’ 

The Moorside focuses on the real life story of missing school girl Shannon Matthews who disappeared in 2008. 

A huge search effort by the police and local community was put into action following her disappearance, but it was later discovered that Shannon’s mother Karen had planned her abduction along with accomplice Michael Donovan. 

They had planned to split the reward money for finding her. 

Karen was sent to prison for eight years, but was released after four, while …