The Upshot

From Jerry Springer’s threesomes to infiltrating the Taliban, this is the story of The Fake Sheikh… Mazher Mahmood has been caught out using the claims of a serial fantasist to flog a bollocks story about Posh Spice being kidnapped. And his downfall has only just begun… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus: Samuel Eto’o’s AFCON meltdown and a knife-wielding Sunderland striker. Get tickets to to the Upshot’s Live shows in April: https://www.livenation.co.uk/the-upshot-live-tickets-adp1637635 We’re hiring! Apply for the role as The Upshot’s new video producer: https://www.upshot.email/p/we-re-hiring-a-video-producer-36e9  Download SAILY in your app store and use our code UPSHOT at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/upshot  Join The Upshot’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/upshottowers   (Sign up in your browser, not the patreon app - it’s cheaper). Links from the pod: Kolkata riot: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1plfmgo/ani_fans_at_salt_lake_stadium_got_angry_with_the Statue unveiling: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/12/12/12/104672397-15377981-image-a-45_1765543002051.jpg Hola Messi fanzone: https://assets.telegraphindia.com/telegraph/2025/Dec/1765375010_hola-messi-1.gif Suarez nutmeg: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1pmfjzm/suarez_got_nutmegged_by_a_teen_indian_girl/?utm_source=www.upshot.email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=i-see-a-snake&_bhlid=16c820a8f979cb6080947e9b36af165b189dceb7 Nitin Kumar walking out: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedarter88/video/7583727677526396193  Killing the Ally Pally wasp: https://x.com/MarkWilsonRadio/status/2000235018254459016 Cameron Menzies meltdown: https://x.com/_shaunmiller_/status/2000578781082251448 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dubai, 2006. Sven Goran Eriksson sips Dom Perignon with an Arabian prince on the deck of a 70ft superyacht. But Sven’s white-robed companion is no oil-rich Emir: it’s the Fake Sheikh. For three devious decades, the tabloid hack lived life undercover, exposing everyone from murderous GPs to Mick Jagger. From Jerry Springer’s threesomes to infiltrating the Taliban, this is the story of The Fake Sheikh… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re hiring! Apply for the role as The Upshot’s new video producer: https://www.upshot.email/p/we-re-hiring-a-video-producer-36e9  Plus: England’s Ashes flops are throwing cash at Aussie children and why 70s hit YMCA is NOT a gay song EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/upshot Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌐 Get tickets to to the Upshot’s Live shows in April: https://www.livenation.co.uk/the-upshot-live-tickets-adp1637635 Join The Upshot’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/upshottowers  (Sign up in your browser, not the patreon app - it’s cheaper). Links from the pod: Rio Ferdinand’s awful banter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P03LgqfQ4BA  Conor McGregor teaching Mike Tyson to box: https://x.com/HappyPunch/status/1997749158711894184 And looking coked off his nut: https://x.com/GeneralBohs/status/1997793388016636392  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britain already has a royal family. But if the entire Windsor bloodline is ever wiped out in a freak yachting accident, there’s a ready made replacement. The Beckhams. For two glorious decades, Victoria, David and their offspring have ruled the worlds of music, sport and bacon sandwich making. From shagging on trains to necking cups of bleach, this is the story of the other Beckhams… Watch Finlay Christie’s stand up special, Aura Farmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oQiTfnFNUQ  Links from the pod:  Brooklyn’s bacon sandwich on NBC: https://metro.co.uk/video/brooklyn-beckham-cooks-english-breakfast-sandwich-2518705/  Cruz’s music: https://wwsw.tiktok.com/@cruzbeckham/video/7452826349779160352  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tickets to to the Upshot’s Live shows in April:  https://www.livenation.co.uk/the-upshot-live-tickets-adp1637635 Plus: The BBC colleague who drove Wayne Rooney to get the snip and Jamie Redknapp’s secret alter ego for picking up girls Download SAILY in your app store and use our code UPSHOT at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/upshot  Links from the pod: Troy Parrott’s missed panenka: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1paoohe/troy_parrott_penalty_miss_vs_twente_908_at_10/  Vietnam’s intervision entry: https://youtu.be/EIqntldQyE0?si=9MEw4Wzb-2sQyVK2&t=61  Wayne Rooney on Mr Tumble: https://youtu.be/Ad2w_WgZhB8?si=GblGv5FHHWpBpLRC&t=159  In case you don’t know Mr Tumble: https://youtu.be/jMwbHIQRVME?si=bCyD1r1CvFphHXCX&t=300  Paul Chuckle’s gangster movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AHwNkf4_QI  Gary Lineker in Mexico with his daughter-in-law: https://x.com/GaryLineker/status/1995172259494056379  Ajax fans mental pyrotechnics: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRss_VCkrDm  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The name Kevin Keegan should conjure images of glittering European nights, mazy dribbles and Balon d’Or wins. But for most people, football’s unluckiest icon is remembered for four words: I WOULD LOVE IT. And he’s had plenty of bad luck. He was beaten up by drug dealers, discovered Father Christmas’ lifeless corpse, and got shot in the face with a bow and arrow. From undercover gigolos to getting banged up in Serbia, this is his story… Links from the pod:  Green Cross code ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE8Lk2kSCDo Scoring in FA Cup final: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=gagQcslGM0t59KHN&t=223&v=xFY67LtZn-0&feature=youtu.be His hit single: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJdW7-MnXtc&t=21s I would love it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=ip99jIR-GKnNQwij&t=5&v=mk87a7r0V60&feature=youtu.be Will he score: http://www.youtube.com/watch?si=1-R7l9C-zzx9NIfq&t=9&v=k6Bupc_sE4g&feature=youtu.be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tickets to to the Upshot’s Live shows in April:  https://www.livenation.co.uk/the-upshot-live-tickets-adp1637635 (Tickets go on sale 10am Thursday) Plus: John Terry fights to free Britain’s most notorious prisoner, Newcastle fans shagging in the Marseille toilets, The Olympic Star whose lawyer advised him to murder a witness. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/upshot Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌐 Links from the pod: Dennis Wise video for Charles Bronson: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRKU6KPjIM4/  And Razor Ruddock’s: https://www.tiktok.com/@freecharlesbronson/video/7533271684023930134 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Malmo, Sweden. A 6ft 5 arsonist speeds away from a burning hot dog stand in a rented Lexus. Little do the cops know, the mystery bomber is playing in the Champions League on Tuesday night. It’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the cocksure striker with a criminal streak. From robbing the manager to terrorising randy priests, this is his story… Follow Joel on Insta: www.instagram.com/joelgolby And buy his book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Four-Stars-Britains-best-loved-journalists Links from the pod:  Stopped by police: https://www.pppress.se/wp-content/uploads/2001/PPIBRAHIM1-20010103/PPIBRAHIM1-20010103.jpg Goal against Netherlands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2WsVHbD7zg Overhead kick against England: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM_5tJncHww Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus: disgraced Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales is egged by his uncle, the Serbian WAG who’s dad was a warlord, and our man Down Under gives us the inside scoop on Ashes Eve. Sign up to The Upshot’s Patreon for EARLY ACCESS TICKETS TO OUR LIVE TOUR next April. Do not miss out! https://www.patreon.com/c/upshottowers  (Sign up in your browser, not the patreon app - it’s cheaper). Use code UPSHOT at https://uk.manscaped.com/ to get 15% off plus free shipping. Links from the pod: ESPN Brazil commentary of Troy Parrott’s winner: https://x.com/ballsdotie/status/1990315434797875497  Kevin Doyle in RTE studio: https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/1oyuman/the_rte_studio_after_parrott_scored  Barmy Army awful song: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQQ9RevDGnz/?hl=en  Luis Rubiales gettin’ egged: https://x.com/MenInBlazers/status/1989139463587639324  Luis Rubiales uncle pic: https://www.instagram.com/p/BzH6x_vFUi6/?hl=en  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Le Tissier’s empire of filth has been shut down by the cops.  And he’ll never trust the establishment again. But his battles with the state and its puppets are just getting started. In part 2, Matt hooks up with Goldilocks at a pantomime, feuds with Glen Hoddle and Gary Lineker, and uncovers the sinister plot to control the weather… Links from the pod:  Valley Slags: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixXIosCrCLY Calling out Ian Wright on GB News: https://x.com/beardedgenius/status/1634290810115039233 Withdraws consent to be governed: https://x.com/mattletiss7/status/1679913916313239569 Looking at Rishi Sunak in DISGUST: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCm3ZX2WMAA_hFr.jpg Livestream with numerologist: https://x.com/Nullen80/status/1780210491878465642 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus: Infantino makes a tit of himself again, and departing gaffer Rob Edwards is thrown out of Middlesbrough by security EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/upshot Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌐 Links from the pod: Mascots minute silence: https://x.com/MascotSilence/status/1193140302946586624 https://x.com/MascotSilence/status/1193140302946586624 Join The Upshot’s Patreon for never-heard details of Balotelli’s firework house fire, plus the swinging 60s tale of champagne-swigging, spy-shagging Man City legend Malcolm Allison. https://www.patreon.com/c/upshottowers  (Sign up in your browser, not the patreon app - it’s cheaper). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1990s, Matt Le Tissier was the ultimate cult hero. A Malibu-swigging everyman with magic feet, he ran a strip club, got headbutted on dancefloors and guzzled KFC buckets every night. But then things got a bit weird. In his second act, Le Tiss warn against communist takeovers, accused Boris Johnson of controlling the weather, and withdrew his consent to be governed. This is his story… Links from the pod: Amazing goal vs Blackburn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cx59N1wHcs  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus: Wesley Fofana gets 47 points on his licence and the Spurs star held at gunpoint by his agent. Get The White Hot Lawn Mower® 5.0 Ultra for 15% OFF with code UPSHOT at Manscaped.com! #ManscapedPartner Links from the pod: Wesley Fofana speeding: https://x.com/search?q=fofana%20driving&src=typed_query Zenit midfielder attempted kidnapping: https://x.com/Buckarobanza/status/1982730247402586248  Divas del futbol: https://www.instagram.com/divasdelfutboloficial/  Join The Upshot’s Patreon and unlock the blundering mayhem of Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot…  https://www.patreon.com/c/upshottowers  (Sign up in your browser, not the patreon app - it’s cheaper). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Silvio Berlusconi is the all powerful King of Italy, and behind the scenes, he’s up to some very, very seedy antics. He dresses escorts as Barack Obama, lures George Clooney into his lair, and is rocked by an ungodly number of sex scandals. Links from the episode: Christmas party speech: https://x.com/UpshotTowers/status/1668281158889603072  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the pod: The midfielder who stole the second most famous painting in the world, and an Aussie Surfer’s despicable deed outrages India. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/upshot Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌐 Links from the pod: Louvre heist detective: https://share.google/images/twil1XYbeD1bwkILY  Vitor Pereira arguing with Wolves fans: https://x.com/footbalIfights/status/1982763178967933114  And dancing with them in Wetherspoons last season: https://x.com/wwfcscott/status/1911520510636380545?  Jose Sa confrontation in the car park: https://x.com/_AlwaysWolves/status/1982577368486293639  Jorginho fishy pants prank: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQLGe0sjCfF/?hl=en  Surfer (not) pooing in sacred lake: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPsMXGjk20o/?hl=en  Trump and Erdogan: https://x.com/Acyn/status/1971239367172817119  Join The Upshot’s Patreon and unlock the clucking mad story of Colonel Sanders. He’s finger lickin’ baaad….. https://www.patreon.com/c/upshottowers  (Sign up in your browser, not the patreon app - it’s cheaper). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Milan, 1986. Italian billionaire Silvio Berlusconi lands on the San Siro pitch in a helicopter blasting Ride of the Valkyries. He leads AC Milan to two decades of glory, but behind the suntan and scudettos lurks an empire of sleaze. Silvio scrapped with Liverpool fans, lured the EU president to a sex party and branded the German chancellor an “unfuckable lardarse”. And he was still elected Prime Minister three times. From mafia henchmen to bunga bunga sex parties, welcome to the seedy world of Silvio Berlusconi… Listen to part two RIGHT NOW, and get an extra bonus episode of The Upshot every week when you join our Patreon: www.patreon.com/upshottowers Links from the episode: Ogling Danish PM at an EU summit: https://x.com/UpshotTowers/status/1668280950852145152  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus: Pierluigi Collina strips his fellow refs naked, the man with a Man United crest tattooed on his forehead, and is Tom Daly a bastard? Links from the pod: Fergie and Kenny Dalglish sharing a bag of chocolate buttons: https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/1979949849542828491  Man Utd fan tattoo: https://share.google/images/yLW19WTsvKd1mGNZA  Pep with autograph hunters: https://x.com/City_Chief/status/1878532555911115241  Join The Upshot’s Patreon and unlock the clucking mad story of Colonel Sanders. He’s finger lickin’ baaad….. https://www.patreon.com/c/upshottowers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

These days, Wrexham Football Club is a saccharine Disney+ fairytale starring white toothed Hollywood megastars.   But there was a time when the club’s biggest hero was a champagne swigging convict with a thirst for beauty queens and fake bank notes. His name was Mickey Thomas. From seshes with George Michael to screwdrivers up the aris, this is the story of the Welsh George Best… Get an extra bonus episode of The Upshot every week when you join our Patreon: www.patreon.com/upshottowers Links from the episode: Screamer free kick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPyoWu0CHAg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus: the Argentine fan who turned up to his own funeral EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/upshot Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 🌐 Links from the pod: Infantino at peace summit: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPww9n1jdRj/  Irish Cape Verde star: https://x.com/BBCMOTD/status/1978036280392098003  Joe Willock runs out of petrol: https://x.com/Allansoldfriend/status/1975197101702488256 Makmudov sledgehammer training: https://x.com/IFLTV/status/1656021871316410403 Listen to our live special recorded from Watson’s General Telegraph pub… https://www.patreon.com/c/upshottowers  (Sign up in your browser, not the patreon app - it’s cheaper). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices