8 episodes

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.

Believe in Magic BBC Podcasts

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 522 Ratings

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.

    Introducing Believe In Magic

    Introducing Believe In Magic

    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.

    • 2 min
    Episode 1: Megan

    Episode 1: Megan

    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?

    • 22 min
    Episode 2: Sleuths

    Episode 2: Sleuths

    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?

    • 23 min
    Episode 3: Proof

    Episode 3: Proof

    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.

    • 27 min
    Episode 4: Doctors

    Episode 4: Doctors

    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.

    • 27 min
    Episode 5: Sisters

    Episode 5: Sisters

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

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
522 Ratings

522 Ratings

Bumpydog2000 ,

Superbly produced

Fascinating podcast, produced brilliantly as only the BBC can do. All I can say is that I am pleased that the charity was investigated by those brave individuals and exposed for the disgusting fraud it was!

TBW99 ,

Great

Started this morning. And finished this evening!

ALM1078 ,

Intriguing, unsettling, sad

Jamie B does some amazing podcasts for the BEEB.
A very sad story about a desperately sad young woman. It’s so disappointing to hear about people’s kindness and support for our amazing UK charity sector being abused but she and her mum are not the first and won’t be the last. Unsure why the family didn’t speak up. Interesting dynamics.

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Life with Nat
Keep It Light Media
Miss Me?
BBC Sounds
How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Spotify Studios
Call It What It Is
iHeartPodcasts
Anything Goes with James English
James English

You Might Also Like

A Very British Cult
BBC Radio 4
People Who Knew Me
BBC Radio 5 Live
Filthy Ritual
Global
Scamanda
Lionsgate Sound
Who Trolled Amber? | Tortoise Investigates
Tortoise Media
I'm Not a Monster
BBC Radio 5 Live