World Of Secrets
Latest season: Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods. Women accuse Mohamed Al Fayed of rape. Also listen to: The Abercrombie Guys. An investigation into claims of sexual exploitation made against the former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie & Fitch. Season 4: Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods. Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed – then owner of one of the most famous shops in the world – is accused of rape and attempted rape by women who worked for him. Now they refuse to be silenced any longer. This is a story of power and control at the very top of British society. At the time of many of the alleged attacks, Mohamed Al Fayed was the owner of London’s luxury department store Harrods, and also the iconic Ritz Paris hotel and English football club Fulham FC. The BBC has heard testimony of over 20 women. Harrods has condemned Al Fayed’s actions “in the strongest terms” and has told the BBC that “as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.” Harrods says the organisation is different today to the one owned by Al Fayed, and it “seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.” The story begins in the 1980s in Knightsbridge, an affluent, exclusive district of London. It continues through the 90s, following the death of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, Mohamed Al Fayed’s son, and into the late 2000s. The billionaire was portrayed in the popular television series The Crown, a drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Mohamed Al Fayed died in 2023. This season is about sexual abuse, and includes descriptions which some listeners might find distressing. World of Secrets is the home of major BBC global investigations and gripping storytelling. Holding the powerful to account and exposing scandals around the world. These are the previous seasons of World of Secrets: Season 1: The Abercrombie Guys. An investigation into claims of sexual exploitation made against the former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie & Fitch. He and his British partner were accused by several men, recruited for sex events they hosted around the world. Season 2: The Disciples. The cult of Nigerian prophet TB Joshua. A story of miracles, faith and manipulation, told by people from around the world, who gave up everything for one of the most powerful religious figures of the century. Lured by TB Joshua’s claimed healing powers, and the promise that one day they could be like him, they live as disciples in a guarded Lagos compound, cut off from family and friends. Season 3: The Apartheid Killer. All the victims were black and the youngest was just 12 years old. Some relatives are still searching for the graves. They were killed during a three-year bloodbath in the 1980s, in the South African city of East London – by one person. He killed so many, he lost count. In piecing together this story, the new season of World of Secrets exposes the disturbed past and racial injustices of South Africa itself. #WorldofSecrets
Hosts & Guests
Will stay with me for a long time
10 Oct
Just listened to the Disciples. What articulate, brave and worthy women we heard from. You deserve every happiness and joy in your freedom and healing from unspeakable horrors. Thank you for sharing your stories. Fascinating investigative journalism. Highly recommend.
Stop the Americanisms…
16 Oct
Nobody buys “candy” in Harrods… I understand why you want to sell this to the us market but it is galling from a bbc produced series…
Fascinating and horrific
7 Oct
This is a story that should not have happened. We need to ensure that rich predatory men are brought to justice BEFORE they are dead. Women who have been abused (if you have the strength) and all those men and women who are currently turning a blind eye to, or enabling such behaviour need to come forward to the authorities now.
S1 only listener
7 Oct
I’ve only listened to S1 (on A&F) which was well told, well produced, and a scarily fascinating story. Impressive work.
About
Information
- Channel
- CreatorBBC
- Episodes34
- Seasons4
- RatingClean
- Copyright© (C) BBC 2024
- Show Website