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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Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Wynne Evans says Strictly controversy took him into ‘darkest spot' of his life
The Welsh tenor, 53, known for the GoCompare insurance advertisements, competed in the recent series of the BBC dancing programme alongside professional Katya Jones. Evans recently announced that he had been dropped by the BBC and will no longer present on BBC Radio Wales following an apology saying that he used 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. The apology came after the Mail On Sunday reported in January that he aimed a sexual joke at one of the other professional dancers, Janette Manrara. Speaking on ITV's This Morning, he claimed the story was taken out of context and that he was talking to fellow contestant, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, who he gave the nickname 'old spit roast boy' to. He said: 'I used to call him this because he could contort his legs over his head. 'I didn't know there was a reporter still there, recording, apparently, on their phone. 'Even though I'm looking at Jamie, they claim that I'm directing this word at Janette. And it's totally been taken out of context. 'When I saw the narrative in the newspaper, I was just shocked and horrified.' He added that the nickname was 'unsuitable' and 'inappropriate' and claims that he was misrepresented. This comes after Borthwick was suspended from the BBC when a video emerged of the actor using a disabled slur on the set of the dance programme. Evans added that he never approved of the statement that was issued by the BBC in January where he apologised for making an 'inappropriate and unacceptable' comment. He said: 'They didn't run it by me. They sent it off to the newspaper. They printed that as my apology. And, of course, then it looks like I validated the story.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'The apology issued on Wynne's behalf by the Strictly Come Dancing Tour PR representative on Saturday January 25 was fully approved by Wynne.' While recounting the controversy, he got visibly emotional and said that he wanted to end his life. He said: 'I've had clinical depression since 2016, diagnosed. It took me into the darkest spot of my life. 'I was at my lowest ebb. I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't been surrounded by people. 'At one point one of the newspapers was so relentless, I remember saying to my girlfriend, I have to kill myself, I have to, because this is what they want.' He added that he was under the crisis team for a month with his family, friends and girlfriend on a rota to be with him 24 hours a day. Overnight, Evans has also shared in an Instagram post that he is engaged to his girlfriend Liz Brookes, saying that he is feeling 'very lucky' after proposing in Morocco.
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh Race Across the World couple Fin and Sioned's relationship, background and health battle
Welsh Race Across the World couple Fin and Sioned's relationship, background and health battle The Carmarthenshire couple are the youngest participants to take part in the BBC travel programme Race Across the World's Welsh couple Fin and Sioned have seen their fair share of challenges on the journey but have remained strong (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert ) Flying the Welsh flag for this series of Race Across the World are Fin and Sioned. The Carmarthenshire couple are the youngest participants to take part in the BBC travel programme, and alongside the other teams, they have travelled through China, Nepal and are now in India as they head to the southernmost tip of the country - Kanyakumari. The young couple have seen their fair share of obstacles, as well as highs and lows along the way, but the pair are seemingly determined to make it to the finishing line first and win the cash prize of £20,000. Ahead of Wednesday evening's final episode of the series, we've taken a closer look at the couple - who they are, where they are from, how they have overcome issues and their journey so far. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Who are they? As mentioned, Fin and Sioned, who are 18 and 19 years old, are the youngest ever contestants on the show. Speaking ahead of the first episode's airing, Sioned said: "I wanted to travel anyway, so it's a great start for that, but along with discovering more about myself and Fin, just strengthening that bond in a very real and authentic way. "We've not really been together just the two of us before so this is something where we will have to rely and depend on each other, we don't have another choice. Article continues below "A lot about self-discovery I think as well as seeing more of the world in the process." Fin added: "It's a way to see if me and her can be together basically, if it can work forever. A challenge to see if it will make or break us." You can read more of the interview here. Fin and Sioned are the youngest contestants on BBC's Race Across the World (Image: BBC ) The couple are childhood sweethearts and have been together for four and a half years. They originally entered the competition after Sioned's mother suggested that she take part in the competition with her brother, although in the end she decided to take her boyfriend instead. She said: "They love the show themselves and they're very sad to see me go, but they know it's an insane opportunity and want me to really go for it." Where are they from? The couple are from Nantgaredig in Carmarthenshire. It is evident that the two are very proud of their background and even discussed missing home during the series. On a beautiful beach in Zhuhai, a city located on the west bank of the Pearl River estuary on the central coast of southern Guangdong in China, during the second episode, the two began talking about Wales, specifically about the "beautiful beaches" of home near St David's and Barafundle Bay. Sioned and her boyfriend Fin were sat on a beautiful beach in Zhuhai as the couple began to reflect on their journey and how they felt about home (Image: BBC ) While the two spoke about the calamity of their travels, Fin said: "Where me and Sioned are from, our local train station only has two platforms. Even then, we still have to ask someone which platform it is. "So to be in a train station where there's 24 platforms, it's in Mandarin, it's absolutely unbelievably hard for us." Sioned later added: "I like going to beaches and stuff when I'm home. It's just like quite nice for me to just be able to just stop for a minute and have that, like home feeling maybe." Fin then asked her: "How are you feeling about not being like not being able to speak to your mum?" Sioned became emotional as she discussed her homesickness (Image: BBC ) To which Sioned began to cry. Later, Fin asked her: "What is it that you miss?" In response, she said: "That familiarity, I like to have that. I don't like being away from everyone we know and basically just having each other." Fin then asked: "Do you regret it?" To which Sioned replied: "No, I know I need to do it." But then Sioned seemed to have a change of heart about her homesickness and realised where she really wanted to be. She later said: "It's speaking and thinking about home, I don't like it, because I know like, as much as I feel like I want to be home now, I definitely don't. "If I was home, I would want to be here. Just trying to adapt to China, trying to adapt to a language, adapt to the people. Trying to build up my confidence to be a bit more risky." Fin's medical issues While the two may be young, they have evidently been through a lot - not just on the race, but in their personal lives too. In a candid moment in the sixth episode, Fin opened up about his tough childhood with type one diabetes and then explained what doctors found in his head. It had been a tough start in their first leg of the race in India, with Fin and Sioned lagging behind in the competition. While Sioned found the hustle and bustle of the country quite stressful, Fin was continuously supportive through the journey. Sioned said: "He's the most resilient person I know and I don't think he understands like, how much he has has actually gone through." Fin broke down in tears as he discussed his tough childhood growing up with type one diabetes. (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert ) Fin explained: "There are bits in India which I find hard, but if Sioned finds it hard, I just try and stay positive, and I do definitely think I'm a little bit more resilient." However, the couple were able to turn things around and in the sixth episode, the couple were able to keep a good pace on their journey. While working to save more money for their tight budget, Fin discussed his upbringing. He said: "Growing up for me, I realised, life isn't perfect and things happen." Fin then went on to discuss how he was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was 11, after his mother found him unresponsive on the sofa. She then took him to the doctors where he found out he had the condition. He said: "It was a week in intensive care, then it was a week in just children's ward. Quite a lot for 11, I think. "Being diabetic there's a lot of complications that can come with it, you know, in your eyes, and I think my eyes are already going a little bit, and obviously, only being 18, it's not something you really want to think about, I don't think, but it's something you've got to think about." He also shared that two years after his diagnosis, they discovered that he had a tumour in his head. Fin explained: "I had surgery then, in my head, cause they found out what it was, but that was horrific. Being rushed up to a bigger hospital, this is not good. Obviously, you think you're going to die." The 18-year-old then broke down as he said he was fine now. He continued: "Now, I don't take anything for granted and this race is hard, but I'm just really trying to enjoy it, and so far I am and it's something I'll look back to and think, I'm so proud I did that." This isn't the first time Fin has opened up about his struggle with diabetes. In fact, since the series has aired he has been raising awareness and has spoken openly on social media about how it impacted him whilst on the show. The young couple from Carmarthenshire are now setting their sights on crossing the finishing line first (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert ) When the pair were interviewed by Wales Online, Fin said: "It was definitely a challenge and I knew it was going to be a challenge, but obviously because I don't know what I was going to be doing the next day, and I have a long acting insulin. "So, I didn't know if I was going to be active the next day, how much to give of this long acting insulin because then I could just drop next day." He continued: "It was a challenge that I definitely didn't think I would have been able to do a few years ago, but I'm very very glad I've done it now 100%. It was not easy." Viewers can watch the final of Race Across the World on Wednesday, June 11, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Article continues below
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Homes evacuated and man arrested after 'bomb found near Post Office'
Homes have been evacuated and roads closed in a Welsh town centre after reports of an 'active bomb' near a Post Office. A bomb squad was dispatched to a residential street New Dock Road in Llanelli, 11 miles north-west of Swansea. Officers have set up a cordon on five roads around the Post Office, which locals said was busy with police activity since this morning. Explosive ordnance disposal experts were called in and five roads have been cordoned off. Multiple locals told Metro they had heard reports of a 'bomb'. Officers arrived shortly after 6pm and set up a rest centre at Llanelli Leisure Centre for impacted residents. Dog groomer Georgia Fuller, who was evacuated from New Dock Road, claimed to Metro that police had said there was an 'active bomb' by the 'post office'. She added: 'It is not nice, they have cordoned all the roads off, it is a bit scary.' Another local told Metro that people are being evacuated after 'explosives' were found nearby. More Trending They added: 'It is really busy at the moment. They are evacuating the street. Everyone is saying different things at the moment.' A 57-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of offences under The Explosive Substances Act and is currently in police custody. Dyfed-Powys Police said on X: 'We are carrying out a warrant at New Dock Road, Llanelli. A 100m cordon is currently in place for public safety. EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) is on their way. 'Please follow the direction of officers at the scene for your safety. More info will be shared when it is available.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Woman arrested of 'murder' after boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home MORE: British woman accused of smuggling drugs in Angel Delight sachets says she was 'framed' MORE: Mum of murdered footballer 'wishes she had a wand to get rid of knife crime'
