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Believe in Magic

Author: BBC Sounds

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Jamie Bartlett, host of the hit podcast The Missing Crypto queen, is back with another gripping, investigative serial.

In his new series, Jamie tells the story of Megan Bhari, an inspirational 16 year old girl who in 2012 launches a charity to grant wishes to seriously ill children. The charity is called Believe in Magic and it attracts the support of the biggest boy band in the world: One Direction. Believe in Magic soon becomes a household name in the child cancer community, putting on parties, sending thoughtful gifts and organizing trips to Disney. Megan is adored by all those she helps and is given an award by the then Prime Minister David Cameron.

What’s even more remarkable is that Megan is herself extremely unwell. She announces that she has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. She raises money online for life saving treatment in the United States.

But a group of internet sleuths start to suspect that Meg isn’t ill at all. When they discover Megan is in a Disney resort rather than a US hospital, they decide to hire a private detective to prove Megan is faking her illness–and expose the truth to the world. But events take an unexpected turn. And the internet sleuths-who are all parents of seriously ill children themselves-begin to wonder if they've got it all wrong. "It wasn't meant to end like this," says one.

Author Jamie Bartlett and producer Ruth Mayer investigate the truth about Megan Bhari, tracing back over the sleuths’ incredible discoveries, meeting Megan’s old friends and supporters, and exploring the medical profession’s most mysterious condition. After months of investigation, Jamie and Ruth discover a secretive investigation into the truth about Megan’s medical condition. The conclusion is shocking–and will have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.

Believe in Magic is a BBC Studios production.

8 Episodes
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Charity, celebrity, illness and control. The extraordinary story of a teenage girl and her charity Believe in Magic, which ends up challenging the very nature of sickness itself.
Episode 1: Megan

Episode 1: Megan

2023-05-0823:088

A teenage girl with a brain tumour starts a charity for sick children. It captures the support of pop megastars, One Direction. But questions arise - is Megan really ill?
Episode 2: Sleuths

Episode 2: Sleuths

2023-05-1125:089

Megan fundraises for treatment abroad. Her condition deteriorates while in hospital in America. When anonymous sleuths discover she’s not where she claims, who will believe them?
Episode 3: Proof

Episode 3: Proof

2023-05-1528:502

The sleuths reveal their findings. Believe in Magic’s supporters defend Megan. Some terrible news breaks, that forces the sleuths to reconsider everything they’ve discovered.
Episode 4: Doctors

Episode 4: Doctors

2023-05-1828:316

The news creates shock waves. Could the sleuths have got it wrong? Jamie gains rare access to doctors’ reports, which could reveal what happened to Megan.
Episode 5: Sisters

Episode 5: Sisters

2023-05-2228:185

Revelations about Megan’s childhood provide vital clues. An expert tells Jamie about a little - understood yet disturbing medical phenomenon.
Episode 6: One Direction

Episode 6: One Direction

2023-05-2530:144

Why did Megan and her mother set up Believe in Magic? Jamie investigates their link to pop megastars One Direction. He discovers crucial evidence is about to be published.
Episode 7: Jean

Episode 7: Jean

2023-05-2944:5712

Megan’s mother disappears, Jamie tries to track her down. Evidence published reveals a shocking conclusion. Finally, Jamie can give everyone involved some answers.
Comments (9)

An-D

Why isn't the mother charged?

Apr 13th
Reply

An-D

"And the other one" 😂

Apr 12th
Reply

Justin Tai Sen Choy

Great series 👏 👌

Sep 28th
Reply

Catriona Blackburn

was it Herne Bay?

Jul 18th
Reply

John Great

You guys made the right call. Amazing story/podcast.

Jul 8th
Reply

Zeena

They seem like they were victims of a toxic mother of course...but a part of me really wishes someone just contacted the child services? Where was the safeguarding 😔

Jun 22nd
Reply

John Great

Blood curdling

Jun 20th
Reply

Connie Smith

I suggest waiting until all the episodes are released before starting on this series. The story is so intriguing that the wait between episodes seems SO long.

May 18th
Reply (1)