As an ITVX documentary looks at the tragic murder of up-and-coming actor Rob Knox, attention has turned to the perpetrator of the terrible crime.
Award-winning documentary (K)nox: The Rob Knox Story will start streaming on ITVX on February 23. The documentary concluded production in October 2020, and has since been touring the film circuit, picking up a string of accolades along the way, and praise for its strong anti-knife message. In 2008, 18-year-old actor Rob Knox was stabbed to death days after filming scenes for his breakthrough role in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. His death sparked an awakening to the rising knife crime in the UK, that still remains a problem not just in this country, but globally. The documentary features interviews with Rob's family and friends, and prolific members of the Harry Potter cast speak of their time knowing the deceased actor. Rob's life in the lead up to his death and the ensuing police investigation come under close scrutiny while the anti-knife crime themes run through the narrative. With focus returning to the devastating crime, we look at where killer Karl Bishop is now.
For more true crime on ITV, Cold Case Forensics looks at what happened to Rachel Nickell, and where where her killer is now - forensic advances eventually caught the correct killer of the young mother who was murdered on Wimbledon Common. What happened to Rachel Wood is explored in Channel 4 documentary In The Footsteps of Killers, as her tragic death remains unsolved. What happened to Natascha Kampusch is the subject of Channel 5's The Girl in The Cellar. Her kidnap and subsequent imprisonment and escape, makes for a chilling watch.
Where is Karl Bishop now?
Karl Bishop remains in prison serving a life sentence - a judge recommended he serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole.
Bishop was also served three extra sentences for wounds he inflicted to five others present at the scene, at the time of the killing. His sentence was given on Thursday, March 5, 2009, with Mr. Justice Bean concluding "your lack of regret, let alone remorse, was truly chilling."
Brian Altman, QC, said for the prosecution that Bishop was a "habitual knife carrier" who considered stabbing people as an "occupational hazard". The Evening Standard later reported that in the time after Rob Knox's death, the Met admitted that Bishop had been reported to police for attempted knifepoint robbery two months prior to the fatal stabbing, but detectives failed to arrest him.
Two weeks after the knifepoint robbery, the victim's mother reported her son's flat had been burgled, naming Bishop as the suspect. Scotland Yard admitted that a serious error had been made in failing to arrest Bishop for this incident. The Met said it the Independent Police Complaints Commission to investigate, and to indicate the gravity of the error on their part.
What happened to Rob Knox
On 24 May 2008, 18-year-old Rob Knox was stabbed to death outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup, south London, by 22-year-old Karl Bishop. He had finished filming his scenes for his breakout role in Harry Potter and The Half-blood Prince, just four days before his death.
Bishop initially began a fight with Rob's brother, Jamie. He had been looking for confrontation with the brothers, because the previous week Rob had stood up to him in a row over a mobile phone, and Bishop sought revenge. He attended the Metro Bar armed with two large kitchen knives, to begin the altercation.
Coming to his brother's assistance, it was Rob that ended up being stabbed five times, with five of the brother's friends being wounded at the scene. Rob later died from internal bleeding and injuries from the wounds he sustained during the 90-second attack.
Who did Rob Knox play in Harry Potter?
Rob Knox played Marcus Belby in Harry Potter. His first appearance was in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, which was released the year after his death - the cast wore white ribbons to the film premiere, in Rob's honour.
The actor had also signed on to reprise the role of Marcus Belby in the final instalment of the Harry Potter film series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He also would have appeared in part 2 of the lengthy production, which was released in July 2011. Sadly, his acting dreams and burgeoning career were cut short.
The character of Marcus Belby was the nephew of Damocles Belby, an Order of Merlin-awarded potioneer responsible for developing the Wolfsbane Potion. Wolfsbane was used by Professor Lupin and other Werewolves, to relieve the effects of lycanthropy. Belby began attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on 1 September, 1990, and was sorted into the House of Ravenclaw.
Who is Rob Knox's brother?
Rob Knox's brother is Jamie Knox. Now aged 32, Jamie is a husband and father, having welcomed his first child in February, 2022.
According to the Daily Mail, Jamie and wife Cathy announced their son, Rory Robert Knox, had arrived on February 1, 2022, at 9:32pm. He wrote on Instagram saying "Rory Robert Knox came into the world and filled mine and Cathy's hearts with all the love in the universe."
The pair became engaged in 2018, and announced the impending arrival of their first child in August, 2022. Instagram pictures emerged of Cathy with a growing baby bump, with Jamie captioning them "So excited about the next stage in our lives welcoming this little one into the world. @cathyfoster33 you're going to make an amazing mummy."
Related ITV Features:
- Where is Next Level Chef filmed?
- When does Nolly start on ITV? Release date of the Helena Bonham Carter drama
- Where is Nolly filmed? Locations featured in the ITVX Crossroads drama with Helena Bonham Carter
- Where is Hotel Portofino filmed? All you need to know about season 2 of the ITV show
- What is The Romance Retreat and how can you apply for the ITV show?
- Where is Maternal filmed? Locations featured in the ITV drama
- Where is Winter Love Island 2023 filmed? Location of the latest series revealed
Video of the Week
-
Balamory is back after two decades - why we can’t wait for the reboot of the iconic BBC seriesWhat's the story in Balamory? Now you can find out, as the BBC announces the return of the beloved children's series nearly 20 years after the final episode aired.
-
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? With more great representation in the show, this expert shares how to start the conversation around sexuality with your teen if they’re watchingIs Francesca in Bridgerton gay? It's a question many have asked, and you might need to have conversations around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching.
-
Is Eric a true story? Benedict Cumberbatch lives every parent’s worst nightmare in new Netflix showIs Eric a true story? Every parent’s worst nightmare plays out in Netflix's latest show, against a backdrop of 80s New York grappling with AIDS and racism.
-
Normal People season 2 rumours are circulating, and we have our own Marianne and Connell 'first love' stories to shareNormal People season 2 rumours are flying around, and we have our own Marianne and Connell moments to share - because everyone remembers their first heartbreak.
-
Channel 4 drama The Gathering explores 'toxic teenagers and their even more toxic parents' in an online world dominated by social mediaNew Channel 4 drama explores the challenges of impossible standards set by social media, and how parents themselves become toxic in their need to protect their kids.
-
Is Brandy pregnant? Bluey fans think the Heelers could be about to welcome a new cousin following the season 3 finaleEagle-eyed Bluey viewers are wondering if Aunt Brandy is pregnant, following a touching moment in the season three finale.
-
Is Bluey ending? What we know about the rumours around the kids' cartoon, as the Heelers put their house up for saleBluey's producer has shared an update on the show's future
-
CoComelon has been accused of being 'overstimulating' - the experts explain why it's ok to let your kid watch the popular cartoonCoComelon is adored by kids around the world, but some experts have shared reasons they don't think children should be watching - we look at both sides of the argument.
