Pearl Mackie delves into murder: best podcasts of the week
Hosts Pearl Mackie, Emma Sidi and Kiell Smith-Bynoe claim to be 'reinvestigating' the infamous 1907 'Camden Town Murder' – via 'reimagining key moments' (read: inventing dialogue) with hammy accents. True crime can feel exploitative, and given that a real person – 22-year-old Emily Dimmock – died in this case, not all listeners will find an attempt to turn it into chucklesome light entertainment to be in the best taste. Alexi Duggins
Widely available from Tue 25th February, episodes weekly
An absorbing investigation into Gareth's claims that when he was a 14-year-old student at a prestigious school, he felt like a 'lucky boy' to be in a relationship with the teacher that everybody fancied. Host Chloe Hadjimatheou asks: what does it mean when the abuser is an attractive woman? Hollie Richardson
Tortoise, all episodes out on Tue 25th February
Who are the people who send scam texts/emails? This shocking show about the gangs with whole organisations dedicated to deceit focuses on a young Thai man who thought he was getting a legitimate job, only to be held captive in an armed compound and made to send messages 14 hours a day. His sister's daring rescue attempt helps propel the narrative. AD
Widely available, episodes weekly
High-tech sex trafficking, aliens, a top-secret military operation – or something a little more prosaic? This podcast about a string of spooky drone sightings across the US will surely hook you in with its wild theories and X-Files-esque soundtrack. Although whether host Gabe Lenners gets to the bottom of it all is yet to be seen. HJD Widely available, episodes weekly
Dan Hooper is a comedy writer for Radio 4's The News Quiz. Here, he turns his hand to something more idiosyncratic – and it works. Based on his own experiences growing up in the small Welsh town of Haverfordwest, supplemented with some offbeat embellishments, these strange little monologues are brimming with dry wit and unlikely twists. Hannah J Davies
Widely available, episodes monthly
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Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Liam Gallagher threatens to quit social media after big announcement backlash
Liam Gallagher threatens to quit social media after big announcement backlash Liam Gallagher has been ramping up excitement for the upcoming Oasis reunion tour but fans were left less than impressed by his latest 'big announcement' Liam Gallagher has jokingly threatened to quit social media after teasing a 'big announcement' with fans this morning (Image: Getty Images for Bauer Media ) With the countdown ticking towards what promises to be an epic reunion, Oasis fever is hitting peak levels, with fans on tenterhooks for any morsel of news. Liam and Noel Gallagher are poised to set Cardiff alight with the inaugural gig of their monumental 2025 Oasis reunion tour on Friday, July 4, yet details about what to expect from these much-anticipated performances remain tantalisingly scarce. Welsh fans will bask in the glow of two performances before the band hits Manchester's Heaton Park for a run of five gigs from July 11 to July 20. Social media was abuzz this morning as Liam reached out to his 3.8m followers on X, dangling the carrot of a 'big announcement', sparking rumours ranging from potential warm-up gigs to exciting new acts joining the tour line-up. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . But when the moment came, many couldn't help feeling a tad underwhelmed by Liam's revelation at 6:30 am that was simply: "I WORK OUT", reports the Manchester Evening News. Fans expressed their bemusement and slight annoyance at the anticlimactic announcement with one quipping: "That's the big announcement?". Another fan said: "Is that the bloody announcement! ? ! Back to work it is for me." Article continues below A third fan chimed in with "You're a comedian." The anticlimax sparked frustration among fans who had been whipped into a frenzy, but Liam interacted with several of his followers in the aftermath. Facing a comment that read: "I HATE YOU". Liam retorted with "Hate is such a strong word." Liam and Noel Gallagher will reunite on stage for the first time in 16 years with their huge reunion tour this summer (Image: Getty Images ) In response to another follower's "are you 6 years old?", he quipped back: "I'm not that old." After teasing an announcement and causing quite the stir, Liam humorously conceded his mischief by saying: "Gotta admit that was good craic gotta you all riled up to ras." He sought forgiveness for any dismay caused: "If I caused any distress and upset anyone this morning I'm deeply sorry that wasn't my intention. "I thought it was a bit of fun. I got it wrong please forgive me LG." Liam also hinted at retreating from social media due to the reaction he received, stating: "Guys I think I'm gonna close my twitter account and think long and hard about my EXISTENCE this morning has been a real eye opener." Last week saw Liam in tour rehearsals with Noel, but the exact location remains undisclosed. On social media, Liam expressed his excitement about the progress: "We have LIFT OFF Rastas sounded f****** FILTHY I'll tell thee that there for hardly anything LG x." Liam teased fans online this morning, saying he was going to have to 'think long and hard about my existence' following the response (Image: WireImage ) However, those familiar with Liam's online antics wouldn't be too surprised by his playful posts. In the previous year, he tricked fans into thinking an Oasis album was ready, boasting it was 'already finished' and 'in the bag', claiming to be 'blown away' by it, only to reveal later it was all in jest: "**** me, it was a laugh." While Liam wasn't directly involved, a joke stunt with an Oasis theme took place in Greater Manchester last week. Article continues below A Liam lookalike visited the Gallagher's favourite record shop in Burnage to have a 'bust up' with an author who has penned a satirical book about a doomed reunion tour.
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh farmers and city singles wanted for new dating show by people behind The Apprentice
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Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh father died in Turkey after being escorted from plane
Welsh father died in Turkey after being escorted from plane Ben Crook, 32, became separated from his family after he was removed from a flight, but his family later discovered he had died Ben Crook was reported missing in Turkey in an appeal widely circulated online A father died after falling from a height while on holiday in Turkey after he was removed from a flight for intoxicated behaviour and was separated from his family. It was only after his father travelled to Turkey to find out what had happened that they learnt he had died. Ben Crook, 32, was reported missing after he flew out to Antalya with his partner Jess Jenkins and their two children on September 23. Having drunk alcohol and taken cocaine, he behaved erratically on the flight by shouting at an air steward and smashing his and Ms Jenkins' phones, the inquest heard. When the plane landed in Turkey on September 24, Mr Crook, of Abertridwr, Caerphilly, was escorted from the plane and separated from Ms Jenkins, who was told to leave the airport and took a taxi to her hotel with her children. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. An inquest at Gwent Coroner's Court on Tuesday heard Mr Crook never reached the hotel and failed to turn up for the return flight home on September 30. As a result of his son's disappearance, Mr Crook's father travelled to Turkey and discovered his son had died, having fallen from a height and suffered fatal injuries. A post mortem examination carried out at the Antalya Forensic Institute on September 24 revealed Mr Crook had suffered external injuries and lacerations which were in keeping with a fall. He died at Antalya Training and Research Hospital at 2.15am on September 25. Article continues below Mr Crook's body was repatriated to the UK and a further post mortem examination was carried out at Grange University Hospital by Dr Majid Rashid on October 22. The examination revealed the deceased had suffered head injuries and bruising to his upper limbs as well as cuts and multiple abrasions to his abdominal wall. There had been an incision to the chest wall which suggested a chest tube had been inserted to drain fluid. The vault of Mr Crook's skull had been fractured, there was damage and bleeding to the brain and the pelvis had been fractured on both sides. A toxicology report revealed the presence of cocaine, alcohol, ketamine and cocaethylene in Mr Crook's blood, with the ketamine likely administered during his treatment. Dr Rashid recorded the medical cause of death as fractured skull and pelvis caused by blunt trauma as a result of a fall. In a statement read out to the court by senior coroner Caroline Saunders, Ms Jenkins said Mr Crook had started drinking alcohol before they arrived at the airport and bought duty free alcohol at the airport which they planned to drink at their hotel. The flight was delayed so the couple began drinking the duty free alcohol. Ms Jenkins said her partner was a "nervous flier" but they were "chatting and joking" before take off. During the flight, she said Mr Crook's behaviour changed and he began shouting at a male steward, demanding alcohol. He then broke both his and Ms Jenkins' mobile phones and as a result of his behaviour he was escorted off the plane and became separated from his partner. Speaking about Mr Crook's alcohol and drug use, Ms Jenkins said her partner used cocaine recreationally and only did so when he had been drinking. Mr Crook's sister Amy said her brother had had issues with drugs and alcohol and his consumption had increased in the months before his death. She said her brother also suffered with his mental health, which was impacted by his drug and alcohol use, but Ms Crook said there was nothing to suggest he would take his own life and leave his two children without a father. Upon returning from Turkey, Mr Crook's father realised he had received a message in his Facebook Messenger spam folder which appeared to be from his son, in which he was trying to find out the name of the hotel where his partner was staying. There was a further message again requesting contact. Members of Mr Crook's family had contact from a number of unidentified individuals in Turkey who claimed they had seen the deceased before his death. One woman who made contact with Ms Jenkins wrote: "Hello, we have just seen your post about Ben being missing. We saw him on September 24 at lunchtime. He approached me and my husband for help while walking near Kaleici Harbour. He said he smashed up his phone and had brought a new one but it was not ringing for some reason. He used my phone to send a message to his friend and we gave him our number if he needed more help. He looked shaken and hungover. After the Facebook message and ringing his friend, he crossed the harbour and walked, we presumed, to the police station for help." Friends and family of Mr Crook later received messages from people, including photographs of what appeared to be Mr Crook lying supine on rocky ground at the bottom of a tall building. Others suggested Mr Crook had fallen at around 6.20pm on September 24, while he was smoking. There was no suggestion of third party involvement. Delivering her conclusion, Ms Saunders said: "(Alcohol and drugs) may have caused disorientation and poor judgement but this is insufficient to determine he fell as a result of the drugs he had taken. "I find the fall was an accident, the exact details of which are unknown... Article continues below "On September 24, 2024, Ben Crook fell from height whilst on holiday in Turkey and sustained severe head and pelvic injuries and died on September 25, 2024. The conclusion I reach is that of an accident." The coroner offered her sincere condolences to Mr Crook's family in the courtroom.
