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Channel 4 Dirty Business viewers were left devastated within minutes of the opening episode.

The compelling new drama series draws from the meticulous investigation conducted by former detective Ash Smith and his neighbour Peter Hammond, a university professor, who dedicated a decade to examining water company practices, aided by whistleblowers.

The series synopsis states: "Dirty Business follows the story of two unlikely detectives, who notice that the fish in the river running through their idyllic Oxfordshire hamlet are dying.

"They contact their water company to find out why, and the company's strange and evasive reply sparks an investigation that remains ongoing to this day."

Dirty Business features an impressive ensemble cast, including Harry Potter actor David Thewlis portraying concerned resident and former police detective Ash, alongside Peter, his neighbour and Professor, played by McDonald and Dodds and The Crown star Jason Watkins.

In the opening instalment of the three-part series, Channel 4 broadcast a harrowing episode, chronicling the Preen family's tragic ordeal after their eight-year-old daughter Heather dies from E. Coli 0157 after playing on a beach contaminated by raw sewage, reportsThe Mirror.

Viewers at home were left shocked and appalled as they immediately took to social media to express their reactions. One viewer posted on X: "Of all the things to Privatise, #DirtyBusiness is perfectly exposing why Water should never, ever have been! Shocking behaviour!".

Another posted: "Post Office2.0 this! #DirtyBusiness" whilst another raged: "The death of Heather Preen alone should have been enough for real change to begin. But 27 years later it's got much much worse. The system has failed on this. #DirtyBusiness."

A separate viewer posted: "Congratulations #C4 on a wonderful required viewing #DirtyBusiness . Harrowing and tragic."

Meanwhile another urged: "If you missed the first episode of #DirtyBusiness on Ch4 tonight, I encourage you to catch up. And when you do, have a look at the levels of sewage pouring into your nearest river RIGHT NOW at this map."

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