THE story of a notorious murder in Blackpool is set to be brought to the small screen in a new TV drama special.

Former Eastenders star, Martin Kemp, has been signed up to play George Joseph Smith in the ITV drama, Brides In The Bath.

Smith spent the years leading up to the First World War seducing wealthy women, marrying them and ensuring that their will left everything to him.

His murders were all carried out while the victim was in the bath, forcing them under the water until they drowned.

His second wife, Alice Burnham, was killed while the couple were holidaying in Blackpool.

He lifted her legs into the air, forcing her below the water and drowning her.

He had already killed his first wife, Bessie Mundy, at the town of Herne Bay in Kent.

Later, under the alias John Lloyd, he murdered his third wife, Margaret Lofty, on their wedding day.

Smith was found guilty of murder in 1915 after the bodies of his three victims were exhumed.

He was sentenced to death by hanging.

Former Spandau Ballet singer Kemp is no stranger to on-screen murder.

He shot to fame playing gangland boss, Reggie Kray in the hit film, The Krays.

And his most famous soap moment in Albert Square saw his character, Steve Owen, kill his ex-girlfriend by bashing her head with an ashtray.

The two-hour special is being made by Yorkshire Television, who plan to film in Scarborough and other seaside resorts on the east coast but, suyrprisingly, not Blackpool!

It is due to be broadcast in the Autumn.