160 episodes

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.

British Scandal Wondery

    • History
    • 4.4 • 4.1K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

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.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Noel and Liam | Rock 'n' Roll Star

    Noel and Liam | Rock 'n' Roll Star

    This episode comes out for free on 20/3 and is available early and ad-free for Wondery+ subscribers.

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    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 band from self-imploding.

    The Race to Ruin | Round the World

    The Race to Ruin | Round the World

    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. 

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    • 51 min
    The Race to Ruin | Deep Water

    The Race to Ruin | Deep Water

    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.

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    • 48 min
    The Race to Ruin | The Game is Over

    The Race to Ruin | The Game is Over

    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.

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    • 46 min
    How to kill a shark to stay alive - Knox-Johnston on what it took to win the Golden Globe

    How to kill a shark to stay alive - Knox-Johnston on what it took to win the Golden Globe

    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.

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    • 31 min
    The Fake Sheikh | From Robes to Riches

    The Fake Sheikh | From Robes to Riches

    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.

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    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
4.1K Ratings

4.1K Ratings

Danmontero ,

Missing the Magic: A Slight Dip in Charm Without Matt Forde

I've been a huge fan of the British Scandal podcast, which has consistently delivered gripping stories with a perfect blend of insight and humor. The dynamic between Alice and Matt Forde was the heart of the show, bringing a unique chemistry that made each episode not only informative but also incredibly engaging. Their ability to bounce off each other’s energy and insights brought the scandals to life in a way that was both entertaining and thought-provoking. However, the latest series saw the departure of Matt Forde, and his absence has been keenly felt. While the podcast continues to explore fascinating topics with the same rigor and depth, the magic of Alice and Matt's connection is missing. This change has affected the overall delivery and the engaging banter that set this podcast apart. It's a testament to Matt's contribution that his absence could have such an impact. Despite this, British Scandal remains a top-tier podcast for anyone interested in the darker sides of history and current affairs, told with a uniquely British perspective. Yet, I find myself missing the old dynamic and, for this reason, I'm adjusting my rating to 4 stars. The show is still excellent, but it's not quite the same without Matt.

l.u.k.e1 ,

Series ruiner

I have been away for a bit and come back to a few seasons to catch up on. Was buzzing to see a krays season, until I started listening! Please get rid of the bloke, he's the least funny person I've ever heard and properly ruined the season. Can't stand him

Phina Oruche- Mariani ,

Chemistry between presenters is AMAZING

Matt is back 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾Matt and Alice are such hilarious, comedic and extremely talented storytellers. Their choice of material to cover is fabulous. The witty, self deprecating and tongue in cheek jibes to each other make the show. Masterclass. Total mic drop I run to my phone every Wednesday. Great job guys. Please get Matt back asap you cannot replace him American was a disaster mainly because it cuts against grain of the show. The Brit didn’t have the chemistry that we know and love. Interesting experiment but WE NEED MATT!

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