When It Hits the Fan

BBC Radio 4
  • 3.9 (31)
  • Politics
  • Weekly

When It Hits The Fan takes you behind the headlines and into the high-stakes world of power, influence and reputation. Each week, it unpacks the PR playbook used by some of the world's most powerful people and asks how the hidden hand of the communications industry shapes what you see, hear and believe. Hosts David Yelland and Farzana Baduel dive into the week's biggest media storms, scandals and corporate crises, revealing how PR disasters unfold in real time. From political controversies to celebrity missteps and brand meltdowns, they trace where the story began, how it spiralled, and who ended up in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Bringing sharp insight and insider knowledge. David Yelland is the former editor of The Sun and Farzana Baduel is an award-winning communications strategist and crisis management specialist. Together, they draw on decades of frontline experience shaping narratives, handling reputational firestorms and understanding what really drives the news cycle.

  1. 2d ago

    The Great Crypto Heist Crisis

    It's not easy putting a positive spin on having more than six billion dollars stolen from your company in roughly 20 minutes. And so we turn to what's being called the biggest heist in history - the hack of cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at how the people at the very top of the company handled the crisis - in real time. This was a reputational battle being fought minute-by-minute on phones and social media platforms. It helped that the normal corporate PR rules of polished press releases don't seem to apply in the crypto world. On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, we look at whispering campaigns. Court documents suggest Meta discussed how to discredit the academic who has helped lead the global social media backlash. Should we be surprised that such tactics are considered - and is there a grey area between winning the public argument and doing so by underhand means? Also, they had us at rowing Vikings at the World Cup - and now Norway has pulled off another bit of PR brilliance. After the country was labelled a 'shithouse' by President Trump, Visit Norway decided not to stoop to his level. Instead, they published a series of photos of some of the country's public conveniences in the most stunning locations. As Farzana and David explain, it's a great example of using your opponent's weight against them. Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

  2. Oct 28

    Is Man City's PR Bananas?

    There are some crises that flare up and then disappear almost instantly. And then there are those that rumble on and on and on. Welcome to Manchester City's world. It is now a month since the devastating verdict against the club - when it was found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules and using 'sham' contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £800m. The club continues to deny any wrongdoing and is appealing. But while that process runs and runs, how do you keep the PR wheels moving? When you're in perma-crisis, how do you ignore the external noise and focus on arguably the most important job - keeping everyone inside the organisation onside? On the extended edition on BBC Sounds - food, bras and pants. The very staples of M&S. But who's doing all the selling? It seems their programme to use 'ordinary' employees as mega-influencers is working a treat. David and Farzana discuss how companies are increasingly trying to use their own shop-floor staff to do the PR heavy lifting, to appear more authentic and relatable. And if you're reading this surrounded by tinned goods and bottled water, there's a chance you've listened to the Government's Be Ready campaign. In short, we've been giving a list of things we should stockpile in case of emergency - and unsurprisingly, some of those goods are flying off the shelves. But has the messaging changed? There's been little talk of 'panic buying'. Instead, it feels like people are being commended for taking sensible precautions. Are we now living in such uncertain times that it's becoming easier to persuade the public to change their behaviour without spreading fear? Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

  3. Oct 21

    Can F1's Christian Horner Regain Pole Position?

    When you live life in the fast lane and the wheels come off, the results can be spectacularly bad. Just ask Christian Horner. He was sacked as boss of F1's Red Bull amid claims of sexual harassment (of which he was cleared by internal investigations) and a slump in the team's form. This week David Yelland and Lauren Beeching discuss his concerted campaign to drag himself out of the PR pits. Rather than revisit the past scandal, he seems to be seeking to reframe how we see him. His new book is part of that campaign - but the audience he cares about the most may not be the general public. On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, what happens when your partner becomes a PR liability? It's especially hard if you're both public figures. How do you avoid contagion even if you've done nothing wrong? And how do you discreetly advise a client that their other half is a reputational nightmare? Also, how many times have we all been told to keep things simple? It's certainly a mantra that seems to be serving the Vatican well. A statement to confirm the Pope 'got up and had breakfast' conveyed more honesty and transparency in one sentence than other press releases manage across acres of print. David and Lauren look at how, when it comes to Pope Leo's health, the Vatican seems to understand that silence doesn't stop speculation. Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

  4. Oct 14

    Evri's Battle with WhatsApp PR

    Group chats aren't known for holding back. Take a scroll through your own neighbourhood chat and the word 'Evri' probably features quite highly. This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at the reputational problem facing the delivery giant. In terms of business, it's a great success story but it has a huge word-of-mouth issue, with people needing little encouragement to vent their fury. Now, the CEO is fighting back - saying because they have so many customers, it only takes a fraction of them to complain to make it feel like there's a problem. He may be entirely right - but is this one of those times when people aren't interested in the facts? And is he really more interested in appealing to the retailers who use Evri, rather than the public? On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a double whammy of reputational management - Tom Watson and Palantir. The former Labour deputy leader has joined the tech company - but can he do anything to change people's perception of this deeply unpopular company? Or is Palantir just laser-guided on landing lucrative contracts rather than public affection? Also, just how long should you leave it before speaking ill of the dead? In Jeffrey Archer's case, it seemed the gloves came off almost immediately. But, as Farzana and David explain, there is a whole industry around what you could call Legacy PR - with people paying big money to make sure all the right things are said about them, long after they're gone. Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

  5. Oct 7

    'The Race We Can't Afford to Lose'

    The stakes could not be higher. To the winner, global supremacy. To the loser, irreversible decline. That is how the battle for building more data centres is being fought by Amazon. This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at how the company is fighting back against the "misinformation and outright lies" that surround data centres. The public has apparently got them all wrong. But just how do you shift opinion when it seems everyone has already made up their mind? On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, a slightly more modern slice of Bayeux brilliance. The Conservatives scored a great PR win with their own 88ft 'tapestry' depicting the last two years in politics. The masterstroke was to include a number of journalists in the artwork - which meant they all posted about it, giving the stunt far more publicity. The very obvious flattery worked a treat - but there are more subtle ways of getting journalists on side which are just as effective. Also, the risks of making pets political. Labour minister Jenny Riddle-Carpenter found herself in hot water after rather clumsily linking black labradors to some kind of 'Far Right fantasy'. The reaction has been exactly as you can imagine. Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

  6. Sep 30

    I'm a Billionaire... Get Me Out of Here!!!

    "That's it, I'm leaving." After which, there is often the sound of a door slamming. But in this case, it's more likely to be the sound of a private jet revving its engines. This week, David Yelland and Farzana Baduel look at why some of the UK's richest people seem so keen to quit the UK. Recent stories includes claims that the country is not just on the slide - but has irreversibly slid. What's really behind the decision to publicly say you're off - or that you're thinking of leaving? Who is the message really aimed at - and what are the risks of sticking your head above the parapet? On the extended edition on BBC Sounds, AI seems to have a PR problem. Literally. OpenAI is still looking to fill its head of comms role after almost a year's search. When PR becomes the story, it's never good. And is there any real chance of one person being able to change the reputation of AI - given the catastrophic predictions for it ending humanity? Also, there are times when it doesn't hit the fan. But it's not because of PR brilliance. This week, Ed Sheeran was saved from a potentially huge crisis when his controversial gigs at a stadium in the US had to be cancelled because of the weather. His problems over his stance on the conflict in Gaza have not gone away for good - but David and Farzana look at times from their own careers when a good old slice of luck has saved the day. And then ask, should you ever take the credit it for it? Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

  7. Sep 23

    A Statement from the King

    'Never complain, never explain.' Until recently, that could've been the unofficial motto for the Royal Family. Not anymore. David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss whether it was wise for Buckingham Palace to issue a statement in response to bombshell claims made in Earl Spencer's new book. Advisors closest to the King must have known it would pour rocket fuel on an already incendiary story - but would it have been even worse not to respond? And sticking with statements, on the extended episode on BBC Sounds, Ed Sheeran. The singer is right in the middle of an enormous PR storm, over where he stands on the situation in Gaza. He's now said he's 'made mistakes and is so, so sorry', but as David and Farzana explain, whatever he does now won't be enough to appease everyone. So what is he supposed to do next? Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

  8. Sep 16

    How to PR the End of the World

    When an interviewer's first question is whether your product could kill all humans, you know it's serious. This week, David Yelland and Lauren Beeching look at how the boss of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, handled himself following insider claims that AI could indeed wipe us all out. As Amodei outlined the risks - and benefits - the vital thing to look at is the timing. With Anthropic preparingto sell its shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange, he needed to appeal to investors more than the general public. And explaining just how incredibly powerful your product is, is not necessarily a bad thing. Even if it could lead to the end of the world. Also - the secret game being played behind-the-scenes when your client is given a right to reply. David and Lauren discuss what options you have - including how quickly to respond and how much or how little detail to give. And they explain how these days, you can be given as little as an hour to put your side, as publications try to stop people going on social media to control the narrative. And it's never a good idea to get on the wrong side of a National Treasure. Sir Tom Jones has made it very clear he's not happy at being offered a reduced role on The Voice. He says ITV told him it was due to a 'financial difficulty with insurance'. With producers looking to 'refresh' the show, is everything as it seems? Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4

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3.9
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

When It Hits The Fan takes you behind the headlines and into the high-stakes world of power, influence and reputation. Each week, it unpacks the PR playbook used by some of the world's most powerful people and asks how the hidden hand of the communications industry shapes what you see, hear and believe. Hosts David Yelland and Farzana Baduel dive into the week's biggest media storms, scandals and corporate crises, revealing how PR disasters unfold in real time. From political controversies to celebrity missteps and brand meltdowns, they trace where the story began, how it spiralled, and who ended up in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Bringing sharp insight and insider knowledge. David Yelland is the former editor of The Sun and Farzana Baduel is an award-winning communications strategist and crisis management specialist. Together, they draw on decades of frontline experience shaping narratives, handling reputational firestorms and understanding what really drives the news cycle.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    164
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    When It Hits the Fan

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