DiscoverBritish Scandal
British Scandal
Claim Ownership

British Scandal

Author: Wondery

Subscribed: 27,335Played: 1,068,482
Share

Description

In a country obsessed with gossip, the great and the good fear one thing more than any other - scandal.

British scandals change the course of history. They bring down governments, overthrow the rich and cause the mighty to fall. Some are about sex, others about money. In the end, they’re all about power. 

But often at the heart of a scandal, there are ordinary human stories. Stories of those caught up in the swirl of outrage. 

Who was really to blame for what happened? Why did they do it? And when all is said and done, did anything really change?   

From the creators of Business Wars, American Scandal and Ghost Story, comes British Scandal. Each week, hosts Alice Levine and Matt Forde delve into the murkier side of the British elite, from Phone Hacking to Profumo to the short-lived premiership of Liz Truss. Because sometimes the truth doesn’t set everyone free…

New episodes come out every Wednesday for free, or 1-week early and ad-free for Wondery+ subscribers or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

156 Episodes
Reverse
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was the only sailor to finish the Golden Globe Race. When he returned home after ten months at sea, he donated his winnings to the Crowhurst family. Sir Robin takes Alice inside his epic voyage, from the reality of fixing his boat in shark-infested waters, to facing a painful bout of appendicitis alone. Plus, he tells us what Donald Crowhurst should have done once he realised he was in danger.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Just two competitors are left in the Golden Globe race, and Donald is one of them. In fact, he's the frontrunner. But it's all a lie: Donald has been cheating. Terrified of being found out and with his elated family already planning the celebrations, it dawns on him that there’s only one way he can avoid total humiliation.This episode contains a depiction of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the following services offer free support:In Europe, you can speak to a trained volunteer from Samaritans about anything that's worrying you by calling 116 123.In the US, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling 988.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As he gets further into the Golden Globe race, Donald Crowhurst realises he's in trouble. He has not brought the right supplies, his boat is not watertight and he's sailing towards the most dangerous area of water on earth. He decides to take a gamble. If it goes right then he'll come home safe. If it goes wrong then he'll be branded a cheat and his family will be homeless.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
These are stories you were never meant to hear. The invisible but vital work of the world’s intelligence services: secret operatives playing to very different rules. The Spy Who, hosted by Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey, takes you deep inside that shadow world to meet spies who risked everything in the national interest – or, sometimes, their own.Search and follow The Spy Who wherever you listen to podcasts, or binge entire seasons early and ad-free on Wondery+ on Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Comedian and actor Hugh Dennis joins Alice Levine on a race around the world. It’s the 1960s, and businessman, inventor and dreamer Donald Crowhurst is in serious financial trouble. He plans to pay off his debt and provide for his family not by getting a job, but by sailing around the globe. On launch day however, he has an unfinished boat and very little sailing experience - and he’s bet his house on finishing the race. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Christine Hart watched Mazher Mahmood at close range. As a fellow investigative reporter at News of the World in the 90s and 00s, she played roles including the sheikh’s wife, an arms dealer and a stripper. Christine tells Alice Levine what Mahmood was really like, and what he’s up to now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mazher Mahmood goes glam for his next undercover persona: Bollywood film producer. His latest victim is singer and X Factor judge, Tulisa. But when Tulisa takes legal action, the tables turn. Mahmood becomes the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mahmood’s status as king of the sting is under threat. Phone hacking is a new tool that’s cheaper and easier than his elaborate ruses. So he doubles down. More stings, more disguises, more famous targets. Until one of those targets starts to fight back.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Actress, comedian and podcaster Emily Lloyd-Saini joins Alice Levine on a journey to London’s Fleet Street. It's the 1980s and young Mazher Mahmood manages to bag a job at one of the UK's biggest newspapers. He has a talent for breaking stories, but he soon realises it’ll take more than good journalism to make his mark. In fact, it might not take much of that at all. He hits on the idea of becoming a Fake Sheikh - and a tabloid star is born.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Alice Levine heads to the Krays' heartland of North-East London to meet Nemone Lethbridge, who defended the twins in court. Nemone tells us why she never considered turning the job down, takes listeners inside the working relationship that progressed into an unlikely friendship and weighs in on how the Krays became quite so notorious.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Kray twins have run riot in London’s criminal underworld for over a decade. So far they’ve felt untouchable. But with a new detective on their case, that’s about to change. Enter crime-busting maverick, Nipper Read. He’s gaining on the Krays: all he needs now is a witness to testify against two of the most powerful men in the city.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Krays are gaining influence in the London gang scene and getting rich in the process. Working together, their bond feels unbreakable. Until one day they meet a woman who proves it's not.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Joining Alice Levine on a trip to the East End of London is comedian Phil Wang. It's the 1950s and the unruly Kray twins are tired of spending their days boxing and street fighting. They want more power, more influence. So they start building an empire in the criminal underworld. And they’re making gains, until one brother realises the biggest threat to their plan is his own twin.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Rob Delaney and Alice Levine sit down with the reporter at the heart of our story, David Leigh. Leigh takes us inside the explosive investigation that led to Jonathan Aitken's imprisonment, from the moment he knew he was about to bring down the former Cabinet minister, to the vitriol he received from Aitken himself. Plus, he tells us why he believes the Aitken affair had a lasting impact on British journalism.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jonathan Aitken has created an intricate web of lies, and now he’s placed his own family at the centre of it. If the truth is uncovered, he risks losing his relationships, career and freedom. But journalist David Leigh is onto him and he’s moving fast. He’s just one piece of the puzzle away from bringing Aitken down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The editor of The Guardian has had a tip-off which, if true, is huge: that the cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken is accepting money from senior Saudis. He’s been trying to nail down the story for a month but with no luck. Then one day, he has an idea: call David Leigh, an investigative journalist who MPs with something to hide have learned to fear. Maybe David can find the smoking gun?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
With Matt Forde taking some time away from the microphone, comedian and actor Rob Delaney joins Alice Levine to take listeners inside a story of politics, pride and perjury.Young MP Jonathan Aitken has big ambitions. He wants to make his mark on politics - and on the world. After he catches Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s eye, his star is firmly on the rise. But before long, a dark secret threatens to destroy everything he’s worked so hard to build.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Matt and Alice sit down with old friend of the notorious drug smuggler, Julian Peto. The pair met as denim-clad Oxford students with long hair and a disdain for academic lectures. Julian takes us inside their raucous university nights, Howard’s magnetic charm, and the Welshman’s surprising resilience in the face of imprisonment and his later cancer diagnosis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Howard Marks is living a life of luxury in the Mediterranean. But he’s being watched. A federal agent is tapping his phone and following his every move. Craig Lovato has made catching “Mr Nice” his life’s work. And he’s not going to stop until he brings Marks - and his empire - down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Howard Marks has just imported enough Colombian weed to get every person in the UK stoned. He’s at the peak of his trafficking career and he’s never been prouder. Perhaps he’ll even retire. Howard celebrates the win with a sherry. But he’s barely a sip in when a man appears in front of him with some bad news: Howard's under arrest.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
loading
Comments (107)

Mr kibria

🔴💚CLICK HERE Full HD✅720p✅1080p✅4K💚WATCH💚ᗪOᗯᑎᒪOᗩᗪ LINK 👉https://co.fastmovies.org

Jan 29th
Reply

Tim Biddle

This guy is horrendously not funny. Talk about try hard.

Dec 31st
Reply (1)

Omar Deghayes

The narrative is good and well-told as always ; however, it's disheartening for Atkins. I suspect there might be more to his downfall, suggesting that powerful figures in the establishedment initially supported him to secure lucrative defense contracts from the corrupt Saudi regime. When he neared leadership, his pro-Palestinian and Arab cause views may have made him unwelcome, prompting them to remove him. Because what he did was not worse than This with the misdeeds of other ministers in their private lives. Recall the phrase "being economical with the truth."

Dec 24th
Reply

Rebecca MA

I think the fact that he got away with so much makes me detest him more

Dec 22nd
Reply (1)

Michael Carletti

im glad Matt is well but its not the same without him

Dec 4th
Reply

Rebecca MA

So glad to hear from Matt after his surgery!

Nov 30th
Reply

Carl Bayly

I could tell from the endless ads on American scandal that the presenters were annoying but, have exhausted all American scandal episodes, I gave it a go. wish I didnt, exactly as per the ads......painful banter

Nov 24th
Reply

L S

Boeing Honeywell Uninterruptible Autopilot. Imo Diana was murdered.

Aug 11th
Reply

Katheryn Rowell

Some of the young men he was with were barely teenagers. Even today he would get more than two years.

Jul 24th
Reply

Audio Girls

This should never have been put out, what a let down, Wondery obly have one bad show and this is it. Both presenters are WOKE Establishment BBC types. And im glad they will all end up going the same way as the DODO

May 24th
Reply

ID28405005

Your podcasts are the best! And this one, wow, amazing!

May 6th
Reply

z delany

love this show , just discovered about a month ago and all caught up now, if you like the podcast type of history or crime with a good laugh as to keep the story going this is the podcast for you

Apr 25th
Reply

L S

Philby Kim Blunt Anthony White Dick

Apr 19th
Reply

Miss O

wow, this was a powerful interview. Happy Norman is able to tell his story a true hero.

Mar 18th
Reply

Juliet Cunnington

I've been really enjoying this podcast ...informative and funny!

Mar 7th
Reply

Rosie

such an excellent interview, masterfully navigated by Alice!!

Mar 2nd
Reply

Cristina Corales

I so love this podcast! And I can’t believe what Archer got away with. Amazing he doesn’t get stressed.

Jan 20th
Reply

Andy Shivaram

Five stars, great combo of Matt and Alice

Dec 11th
Reply

Gavin J P Dean

great podcast. it's one of a few that genuinely entertains. Good factual content, fantastic narrative structure and some actual personality in between it all. There are so many banal monotone shows out there that could learn from this. Keep em coming guys!

Nov 24th
Reply

Julie homewood

really good and interesting stories, but think it would be better without the attempted humour

Nov 16th
Reply
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store