Fame Under Fire

BBC
  • 4.3 (65)
  • ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Celebrities, athletes, politicians, influencers and even royalty can all land in the firing line. Why does it matter? Because we invest in them. We give them space in our homes, our budgets, our feeds, and sometimes, our hearts. We put them on pedestals. So when they fall, we want the truth. But in an age of AI-generated "evidence", misinformation, and unqualified newsfluencers, separating fact from fiction is a full-time job. Hot on the heels of covering the Diddy trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is up for the challenge. Each week on Fame Under Fire, she'll take a detailed look at the topics dominating the headlines. With the help of expert guests, she'll myth bust, debunk, pre-bunk, fact check and get to the truth behind the timeline. Got questions? We've got answers. Message us at 0330 123 555 1. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We'll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.

  1. DEC 18

    Claims the Macrons paid for a hit on Candace Owens are “deranged”, says lawyer

    The Macrons' lawyer has told the BBC that claims the French president and his wife ordered the assassination of Candace Owens are "deranged". The right-wing influencer first made the allegations in a tweet on 22 November which has now been viewed more than 44 million times. In the message labelled URGENT, Owens wrote that she was contacted by what she described as “a high-ranking employee of the French Government,” who allegedly warned her that the Macrons had “executed upon and paid for my assassination." She has since reiterated the claims - recently in an interview with Russell Brand. In a statement to the BBC's Fame under Fire podcast, Tom Clare said: "This deranged allegation is right out of Ms. Owens’ playbook. We’re not going to dignify it with a response beyond noting that it does further and fit her pattern of reckless and irresponsible defamation of our clients." Candace Owens has also been meeting with Charlie Kirk’s widow this week after promoting theories about his death to her millions of followers. In an interview with CBS, Erika Kirk had asked people making “unfounded claims” regarding his assassination to “just stop”. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Will Sommer, senior journalist with The Bulwark, look into the story and discuss the podcaster's influence in US politics. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    24 min

  2. DEC 11

    Blake V Justin: Slow dancing, circumcision and famous pals

    Two major developments in the epic legal saga between former co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Lively has responded to Baldoni’s attempt to block the case from going to trial, arguing that a jury should decide. And Baldoni’s sworn deposition has been released. We hear how he responds to her allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation - claims he denies. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent discuss power dynamics, why circumcision appears in the legal filings, and how a slow dance montage could be key. The trial was due to begin in March but has now been pushed back to May because the judge has two criminal trials to oversee. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Impact Producer: Sophie Millward Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    30 min

  3. DEC 4

    50 Cent's new Diddy doc: allegations and unseen footage row

    The lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have called the Netflix four-part series into his life “a shameful hit piece” that relied on “stolen footage”. Produced by Combs’ longtime rival 50 Cent, the documentary includes never-before-seen clips from the days leading up to his arrest, alongside interviews with individuals alleging abuse - claims Combs denies. In July, he was convicted on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution but found not guilty of the most serious charges - racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking of two ex-girlfriends. Netflix insists the footage was “legally obtained” and says the series is “not a hit piece or an act of retribution”. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty joins Rolling Stone’s senior investigations reporter Cheyenne Roundtree to unpack the allegations and the battle over unseen footage. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Impact Producer: Daniel Raza Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    26 min

  4. NOV 27

    Blake V Justin: Could the case be tossed out?

    Justin Baldoni has asked the judge to throw out Blake Lively’s lawsuit against him. The former co-stars have been locked in a bitter feud since she sued him last December, accusing him of sexual harassment and waging a smear campaign against her. Claims he has denied. The latest development is that Baldoni’s legal team is asking the judge to grant a summary judgment, which would dismiss the case. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent examine Baldoni’s arguments in more detail. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Impact Producer: Daniel Raza Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Lisa Baxter Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    28 min

  5. NOV 20

    Kim Kardashian Vs Ray J: Sex tape and defamation

    Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner are suing R&B singer Ray J for defamation over “racketeering” claims, which they have called blatantly false. Ray J’s called their lawsuit a “public relations charade” and is now countersuing them for breach of contract. He alleges they broke an agreement not to talk publicly anymore about the sex tape he made with Kim when they dated in 2003. The Kardashians’ lawyer has called Ray J’s countersuit “frivolous”. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent look at the allegations made in the legal documents and analyse the case. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    36 min

  6. NOV 13

    Trump, the BBC, and the $1bn threat

    Why bring the case in Florida? Why $1bn, and how could the BBC defend itself from a defamation lawsuit? Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent analyse US President Donald Trump’s threat of legal action against the BBC. Trump told Fox News he had an "obligation" to sue the BBC over the way a section of his speech was edited in a Panorama documentary. "They actually changed my January 6 speech, which was a beautiful speech, which was a very calming speech, and they made it sound radical,” he said. "And they actually changed it. What they did was rather incredible." BBC Chair Samir Shah has previously apologised for an "error of judgement" over the edit. He said the BBC was considering how to respond to the legal threat. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Lisa Baxter Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    28 min

  7. NOV 6

    Inside Rebel Wilson’s bombshell legal battle

    Hollywood A-lister Rebel Wilson is embroiled in an explosive legal saga with the producers and lead actress of her directorial debut, The Deb. It involves multiple lawsuits in Australia and the US and includes claims of defamation, sabotage and false imprisonment - as well as allegations of sexual misconduct and embezzlement. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent analyse the key areas of the dispute. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    28 min

  8. OCT 30

    What will Diddy’s life be like after prison?

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been told what conditions he must comply with when he is eventually released from jail. The rap mogul was convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted on two other charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. As well as serving a 50-month jail term, he also faces strict conditions on his release. He is appealing the conviction. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent discuss how difficult it will be for Diddy to stick to the rules of his probation order. Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    17 min
See All (92)

Shows with Subscription Benefits

Get exclusive episodes, early access, and more

$4.99/mo or $49.99/yr after trial

View Subscription FAQs

Hosts & Guests

4.3
out of 5
65 Ratings

About

Celebrities, athletes, politicians, influencers and even royalty can all land in the firing line. Why does it matter? Because we invest in them. We give them space in our homes, our budgets, our feeds, and sometimes, our hearts. We put them on pedestals. So when they fall, we want the truth. But in an age of AI-generated "evidence", misinformation, and unqualified newsfluencers, separating fact from fiction is a full-time job. Hot on the heels of covering the Diddy trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is up for the challenge. Each week on Fame Under Fire, she'll take a detailed look at the topics dominating the headlines. With the help of expert guests, she'll myth bust, debunk, pre-bunk, fact check and get to the truth behind the timeline. Got questions? We've got answers. Message us at 0330 123 555 1. Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We'll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.

Information

  • Channel
    BBC
  • Creator
    BBC Sounds
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Fame Under Fire
  • Provider
    BBC Studios Distribution Limited

More From BBC

You Might Also Like