Little Boy Blue: Rhys Jones' killer Sean Mercer 'on suicide watch' after ITV show
RHYS JONES' killer, Sean Mercer, has been put under suicide watch in prison after ITV began airing Little Boy Blue drama series based on the murder.
Sean Mercer (left) killed schoolboy Rhys Jones
Sinead Keenan on the immense pressure of Little Boy Blue role
Mercer, who was 16 when he committed the crime in 2007, is now subject to extra checks from officers within HMP Frankland, Country Durham, a source told the Daily Star.
"It is standard practice for officers to make extra checks on inmates when there is a special event," the source said. "This can be something like the anniversary of them being jailed, or if they are the subject of renewed interest on television and in the media."
Mercer is currently serving 22 years for shooting 11-year-old Jones dead.
The insider claimed that officers within the prison, who are trained to notice if an inmate is in distress, will be checking on him to "ensure he doesn't do anything silly".
Sean Mercer killed schoolboy Rhys Jones
Schoolboy Rhys Jones was shot dead
The TV series has turned him into a celebrity and celebrity inmates are simply dead men walking
ITV aired the first of their four-part drama last month, with some viewers finding the heartbreaking series too emotional to watch.
The website previously reported that Mercer was fearing for his life after the fact-based drama began, worried that he might face reprisals from other inmates.
A source said: "The TV series has turned him into a celebrity and celebrity inmates are simply dead men walking.
A scene from ITV drama Little Boy Blue about Rhys Jones
A scene from ITV drama Little Boy Blue about Rhys Jones
"He knows there will be no shortage of volunteers lining up to take a pop at him and is desperate for a move."
Frankland jail has housed some of Britain's most notorious killers and is the current home to the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe.
Express.co.uk has contacted a representative for ITV asking for comment.