The Singapore Grip boss reveals how WWII bloodbath which saw Brits massacred in hospital inspired new ITV drama

THE Singapore Grip boss has revealed how a WWII bloodbath which saw Brits massacred in a hospital inspired the new ITV drama.

The new series is adapted from Booker Prize winner J.G. Farrell’s novel by Oscar winning screenwriter and playwright Sir Christopher Hampton.

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It tells the story of a British family living in Singapore at the time of the Japanese invasion, something Christopher feels has been overlooked in other war dramas.

One particularly harrowing part of the story involves the Alexandra Hospital massacre of 1942, which saw the Japanese army kill up to 50 soldiers, even those who were undergoing surgery.

Hundreds of others were then bound and made to walk to a nearby area even if they were wounded, and those who fell were killed by bayonet.

Those left were placed in small non-ventilated rooms without water overnight, and those who didn't die from such treatment were then killed by bayonet the following morning.

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Discussing the terrible event, Christopher told The Sun Online and other media at a Q&;A for the series: "We didn’t feel that we emphasised the terror of the Japanese, so we reconstructed the Alexander Hotel massacre.

"It's a moment of history that is not well known to people outside this country. If anyone is interested in the Second World War, they would find this interesting."

He added: "There is an epic dimension to the story. The look of it is a tremendous element for me."

Star David Morrissey, who plays a British businessman living in Singapore admits he was shocked to discover the massacre took place around the same time as Pearl Harbor in the United States.

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He said: "It focuses on a piece of history that not many people know about.

"The events that happened had massive ramifications for us as a country which really surprised me.

"I wasn’t aware of that, I knew a little bit about it. It’s a piece of history that has been neglected."

The Singapore Grip starts on Sunday, September 13 at 9pm on ITV.