Criminologist claims serial killer Dennis Nilsen was 'absolutely gay'

A criminologist has claimed that Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen was ‘absolutely gay’ and that he hit on him during an interview.

David Wilson joined Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on today’s episode of This Morning ahead of the launch of ITV’s new drama Des, which follows the criminal’s arrest and trial.

Nilsen murdered at least 12 young men and boys between 1978 and 1983 in London.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment and died behind bars on 12 May 2018.

Recalling one of his interactions with Nilsen, David said: ‘I interviewed Nilsen about another matter and as I finished the interview, he leaned over the desk and touched my hand and he said, “Do you have to go?”

‘He knew that I knew that those were the words he had first used prior to killing his first victim because he killed for company.

‘I feel that was something to do with what he was playing with me, he was toying with me. It was a long time ago, but I think he fancied me.’

Phil then asked: ‘So you think he was gay?’

‘Oh totally,’ replied David. ‘Dennis Nilsen was absolutely gay and homophobia is the context of which we understand the significance of his crimes and the failures of the police to be able to catch this type of perpetrator.’

‘Homophobia is one of the persistent issues that we need to address if we want to reduce the incidents of serial killing in our community,’ he added.

Nilsen was undetected for five years, and it was only when DCI Peter Jay was called to 23 Cranley Gardens on 9 February, 1983, to investigate human fragments of flesh and bone clogging the drains, that the police realised they had a serial killer on their hands.  

Told from both the police and Masters’ point of view, Des will explore how a man like Nilsen was able to prey on the young and vulnerable in 1980s Britain.  

The series will not only highlight the police investigation and trial but also the effect of the media coverage on public perceptions of the victims at the time, raising questions of just how far have we really come since then?

Des begins tonight at 9pm on ITV and This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.

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