The Royal-Linked True Crime That Haunts a Midlands Hotelier
The brutal murder of Tom Cressman, committed by Sarah Ferguson's former dresser Jane Andrews, has captivated television audiences for over two decades. This Sunday, February 22, ITV premieres its latest retelling of the crime in a four-part drama titled The Lady, delving into the tragic events that continue to resonate deeply with the victim's family.
A Brother's Enduring Grief
Rick Cressman, a hotelier and owner of Nailcote Hall near Solihull, has cooperated with the production despite grappling with the ongoing public fascination. He once poignantly remarked, "I think on reflection I'm grateful for it but you can't help but wonder sometimes, will it ever end? There is only one time it will ever and as far as I'm concerned that's probably when I join my brother." The loss remains raw, compounded recently by the death of his sister Cathy, making the emotional toll even heavier.
The Crime and Its Aftermath
In 2001, Jane Andrews was convicted and given a life sentence for murdering her boyfriend Tom Cressman after he refused to marry her. The attack involved striking him with a cricket bat before stabbing him. Andrews, who worked as a dresser and assistant to Sarah Ferguson from 1988 to 1997, had risen from a working-class background in Lincolnshire into high society, only to see her life unravel dramatically.
Rick Cressman expressed on Facebook, "So hard to cope with all of this after 25 years! It is all so emotionally distressing but the cooperation of duty is only given to care for and protect the memory/legacy of Tommy and the justice we have been given as a family." He emphasized that while many view the drama as a story, for his family and friends, it represents a lifelong sentence of living without Tom.
The ITV Drama Production
The Lady, written by Debbie O’Malley, features Mia McKenna-Bruce as Jane Andrews and Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson. The victim, Tom Cressman, is portrayed by Ed Speleers, known for his role in Outlander. Speleers, 37, prepared for the role by speaking with Rick Cressman and Tom's friends, noting their warmth and openness. He stated, "What those conversations allowed was a better sense of how the family felt and how they perceived the events. I think that perspective has been expertly woven into the script."
The drama aims to sensitively depict the rise and fall of Jane Andrews, highlighting the personal and professional collapses that led to the murder. As it airs on ITV and ITVX, it brings renewed attention to a case that, for the Cressman family, remains a heartbreaking chapter in their lives.
