British Scandal

When Noel tells a journalist he’s leaving Oasis, Liam feels like he’s losing control. If the band is going down, he wants to be the one to call time on it. But in reality neither brother has control over the future of Oasis. Because their bandmates have had enough of the feuding. They want out. Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and...

It’s 1995 and Noel and Liam have a new enemy. But this time it’s not each other. The brothers have put aside their differences to face Britpop band, Blur, in the UK’s most intense chart battle for thirty years. The country is holding its breath as the groups prepare to release singles on the same day. But will the bad boy brothers of Britpop cope if they fail to emerge victorious? Listen to Britis...

Matt Forde is back! He joins Alice Levine to delve into one of the rockiest relationships in music history. The story of two brothers who went from sharing a bedroom at their mum’s house to becoming one of the world’s most successful bands. But their feud was almost as famous as their talent. Welcome to Manchester in the rock ’n’ roll 1990s, where a music manager is just trying to keep his latest...

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 realis...

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...

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. Listen to British Scand...

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 hous...

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. Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-f...

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. Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spo...

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. Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the...

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 becomin...

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. Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you ge...

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. Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you g...

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. Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial...

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. Listen to Britis...

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 Britis...

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...

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...

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 thre...

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.co...

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-s...

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 Pri...

It's 1964 and a young Oxford student called Howard Marks develops a habit that will define the course his life. At first, cannabis is simply his escape. But then it becomes his route to making millions. It’s going well - really well - until one misstep sees Howard forced to choose between his family and his freedom. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h...

In this special one-off episode, Matt and Alice explore the celebrity saga that gripped the nation. No, it's not Matt Hancock's appearance on I'm a Celeb: it's the iconic court case between former WAGs, Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney. With the help of The Guardian's Media Editor, Jim Waterson, Matt and Alice take listeners right inside Coleen's secret investigation, her stunning Twitter post and...

Matt and Alice speak to Robert Harris, bestselling writer and author of the definitive account of the scandal, 'Selling Hitler'. He tells us why Hitler is one of the least likely historical figures to have kept a diary, and lays bare the impact of the scandal on fake news culture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell...