Taggart actor steps in to try to solve Bible John murder riddle

Alex Norton, the star of Scottish Television's long running police series, will lead the investigation in a new series of Unsolved: Getting Away with Murder.

Norton and the programme-makers hope they may help solve the murders.

The killer stalked the Barrowland Ballroom, reciting from the Bible, and luring the women to brutal deaths. After the last killing, in 1969, he was never heard of again.

Norton, said: "In the last series, the team investigated the Templeton Wood murder, in Dundee, in 1979. After the programme, police acting on information received were able to solve the crime. We'll be hoping for a similar result now the second series is focusing on the Central Belt."

The actor added: "My big interest is real crime. The Bible John mystery is as big as they come.

"This series will cause the murder to be a talking point again, and it would be incredible if new evidence were to result."

Bible John struck first on 22 February, 1968 after picking up Patricia Docker, who was in the Barrowland. She was found strangled the next morning.

On 17 August, 1969, Jemima McDonald, 32, was found in a derelict building, strangled with her stockings. She, too, had been at the Barrowland Ballroom.

Two months later, Helen Puttock, 29, and a friend, met two men, both named John, at Barrowland. Ms Puttock's murder would provide the killer's nickname.

Ms Puttock's friend later described the killer as polite and well dressed. Ms Puttock's body was found next day.

A spokeswoman for Grampian Television, which made the series, said: "We had a good result last series when we helped solve a murder. Solving crime is a job for police, but if we can help we're delighted.

"It would be very satisfying if we could shed light on Scotland's most infamous killer."

Unsolved: Getting Away With Murder runs on Scottish and Grampian in November.