Des viewers terrified by David Tennant’s chilling portrayal of Dennis Nilsen

Des viewers were left utterly terrified tonight over grisly scenes involving boiled heads, rotten torsos hidden in cupboards and even comments about necrophilia.

But more than that, viewers were chilled to the bone by David Tennant’s eerie portrayal of serial killer Dennis Nilsen.

The new dark three-part ITV drama follows the 1983 arrest of the Scottish serial killer who murdered at least 12 young men and boys in London.

Tonight’s episode saw human remains discovered by a plumber, who had been responding to complaints made by tenants of Cranley Gardens.

After opening up a drain covet at the side of the house, small bones were and a flesh-like substance were discovered, prompting the drainage and plumbing company workers to contact the police.

The remains, which also appeared to include a human eye, were taken to mortuary where pathologist Professor David Bowen believed them to be human.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay, played by Daniel Mays in the ITV drama, and two other colleagues learned that the human remains had been flushed down in the top flat, belonging to Nilsen.

The officers waited for Nilsen to return home and gained access to his flat, where they instantly noticed the smell of rotting flesh.

Nilsen later calmly guided the officers to the remainder of the body that hadn’t been flushed down the drain, which had been in two plastic bags in a wardrobe.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder but while he was being transported to the police station, Nilsen was asked if the remains in his flat belonged to one or two people.

Nilsen had replied: “Fifteen or sixteen, since 1978.”

The remains were later examined at Hornsey mortuary, with one bag containing two dissected torsos and a shopping bag with internal organs in it.

A human skull and a severed head, both of which were believed to have been boiled, were found in the second bag along with a torso with arms still attached but its hands cut off.

Fans were left incredibly disturbed by the scenes, with one tweeting: “”I didnt have any pleasure cutting people up or boiling heads, I just needed the space” #DES #dontcomeintomydreams.”

While another commented: “15 minutes in. Give all the awards to David Tennant. Id forgotten for a second it was him. So convincing. He makes me feel sick & full of fear. So emotionaless. And that right there is why David Tennant is the best actor of this generation and out there. #Des #ITV.”

A third wrote: “David Tennant is scaring the living daylights out of me! #Des.”

“#Des David Tennant is chilling to the bone, it’s as if he’s discussing overdue library books. This is my viewing over the next 3 nights that’s for sure,” another commented.