Fool's Gold

BBC Radio Wales

How the luckiest treasure hunters on earth became Newport's most wanted.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 1

    Introducing... Fool's Gold

    Two Welsh detectorists dig up a Viking hoard estimated to be worth up to £12m. This is the story of how to go from the luckiest treasure hunters on earth, to Newport’s most wanted

    1 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    1. Buried Treasure

    June 2015, Herefordshire. Two Welsh detectorists - George Powell and Layton Davies - stumble upon a Viking hoard estimated to be worth up to £12m. They could have become very rich and been celebrated as heroes in museums across the land. But instead, they began to hatch a criminal plot. Narrated by Aimee-Ffion Edwards (Detectorists/Slow Horses), this is the story of how to go from the luckiest treasure hunters on earth, to Newport’s most wanted. Narrator: Aimee-Ffion Edwards Contributors: Holly Morgan, Dawn Chipchase & Simon Wicks Sound design: Peregrine Andrews, Production co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Additional Research: Holly Morgan Associate Producer: David James Smith. Producer: Aron Keller Exec Producer: James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production

    27 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    2. The Middleman

    In the close-knit detectorist community, secrets don’t stay secret for long. With rare Anglo-Saxon coins in their possession, George and Layton turn to coin dealer Simon Wicks. But as coins start appearing at a Mayfair auction house, whispers of an undeclared hoard begin to spread. Narrator: Aimee-Ffion Edwards Contributors: Peter Reavill, Simon Wicks. Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Additional Research: Holly Morgan Associate Producer: David James Smith Producer: Aron Keller Exec Producer: James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production

    26 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    3. The Cover Story

    History is written by the winners – but in the ground beneath our feet, lie secrets someone has tried to bury. We travel back in time to 878AD, a world of warring Anglo Saxon kingdoms and Viking invasions. Historian Gareth Williams reveals how the coins found by George and Layton could rewrite the story of King Alfred’s reign and of Britain itself. Narrator: Aimee-Ffion Edwards Contributors: Dr Gareth Williams, Nigel Cleeton, Peter Reavill Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Additional Research: Holly Morgan Associate Producer: David James Smith Producer: Aron Keller Exec Producer: James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production

    22 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    4. The Two Emperors

    The net tightens as police arrest George and Layton and search their homes. But when the missing treasure is nowhere to be found, investigators start to wonder: is the hoard even real? Meanwhile deleted photos offer a new lead. Narrator: Aimee-Ffion Edwards Contributors: Tim Hoverd, Nigel Cleeton, Peter Reavill, Simon Wicks, Gareth Thomas, Dr Gareth Williams, Kevin Hegarty KC Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Associate Producer: David James Smith Producer: Aron Keller Exec Producer: James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production

    29 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    5. Gollum Syndrome

    Four men stand in the dock, accused of trying to hide and sell a Viking hoard worth millions of pounds. But there’s no honour among thieves. As the trial unfolds, George and Layton’s defence – that the hoard never existed – starts to unravel. Can justice recover what history has lost? Narrator: Aimee-Ffion Edwards Contributors: Simon Wicks, Dr Gareth Williams, Kevin Hegarty KC Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Associate Producer: David James Smith Producer: Aron Keller Exec Producer: James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production

    25 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    6. History on Trial

    George and Layton are jailed, but where are all the missing coins? Gareth Williams helps police bust a new coin-selling operation in Durham. Could these coins be from the Herefordshire hoard? The mystery of the missing hoard is far from over. Narrator: Aimee-Ffion Edwards Contributors: Holly Morgan, Simon Wicks, Dr Gareth Williams Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Additional Research: Holly Morgan Associate Producer: David James Smith Producer: Aron Keller Exec Producer: James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production

    27 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    7. Follow the Money

    George Powell is on the run from police, but trainee reporter Holly Morgan manages to track him down. She’s hoping he’ll finally reveal the truth about the missing coins, but George won’t make it easy. As the pieces of treasure that have been recovered go on display in Herefordshire, the biggest question remains: with hundreds of coins unaccounted for, is the hoard gone for good – or is someone sitting on a fortune? Narrator: Aimee-Ffion Edwards Contributors: Holly Morgan, Sarah Chedgzoy, Peter Reavill Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Additional Research: Holly Morgan Associate Producer: David James Smith Producer: Aron Keller Exec Producer: James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production

    27 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    8. The Herefordshire Hoard

    George Powell is on the run from police, but trainee reporter Holly Morgan manages to track him down. She’s hoping he’ll finally reveal the truth about the missing coins, but George won’t make it easy. As the pieces of treasure that have been recovered go on display in Herefordshire, the biggest question remains: with hundreds of coins unaccounted for, is the hoard gone for good – or is someone sitting on a fortune? Narrator: Aimee-Ffion Edwards Contributors: Holly Morgan, Sarah Chedgzoy, Peter Reavill Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews Production Co-ordinator: Dan Marchini Additional Research: Holly Morgan Associate Producer: David James Smith Producer: Aron Keller Exec Producer: James Robinson A BBC Studios Audio Production

    27 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

How the luckiest treasure hunters on earth became Newport's most wanted.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio Wales
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Fool's Gold
  • Provider

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