BBC 5 Live podcast series Sport's Strangest Crimes returns with another scandal
Sport's Strangest Crimes: Bloodgate is the latest gripping seven-part podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live that dives deep into one of the most notorious moments in British rugby union history.
Hosted by actor and the award-winning documentary maker Ross Kemp, with reporting by BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones, this series uncovers shocking new details and untold stories about the infamous 'Bloodgate' scandal.
Launching on BBC Sounds on Saturday 15 March, Kemp takes listeners on an intense journey into how a simple blood capsule, bought from a joke shop, triggered a series of events that shook the sport. Through never-before-heard insights and eye-opening interviews, Kemp unravels the dramatic chain of events that left careers destroyed and lives forever changed.
At the heart of this story is Tom Williams, the young Harlequins player who found himself caught up in a scheme to cheat during a critical match. Tom opens up about his role in the cover-ups and the decision to blow the whistle on the whole operation, revealing the conspiracies, secret deals, and the aftermath.
His choice to expose the truth led to devastating consequences for everyone involved - especially his coach, rugby legend Dean Richards, who was banned for three years for masterminding the plot.
Talking about the podcast, Kemp said: 'As a rugby lover, the Bloodgate episode was truly shocking because it went against all the values that the game is famous for - but the cover-ups and dark dealings that followed were even more jaw-dropping. At times farcical, at others disturbing, I hope listeners will enjoy joining me for a rollercoaster ride through the ultimate sporting scandal.'
The podcast not only features interviews with rugby icons like Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Ugo Monye, Nick Easter and referee Nigel Owens, who were on the pitch on that fateful day, but also esteemed journalists and investigators who reveal how they exposed the plot and covered the messy consequences.
The first four episodes of Sports Strangest Crimes: Bloodgate will be available on BBC Sounds from Saturday 15 March
The following three episodes will be available on BBC Sounds on Saturday 22 March
AG / MCD
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
31 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Trooping the Colour: Black armbands for India and a wave from Louis
Central London came to a standstill for the celebration of the King's Official Birthday. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The King has celebrated his official birthday with an eco-friendly flypast by the Red Arrows and a minute's silence for all those killed in the Air India plane disaster. Trooping the Colour was a display of military pomp and pageantry but Charles asked for the traditional programme to include the remembrance, and for senior royals and officers taking part to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When the royal family gathered later on Buckingham Palace's balcony they acknowledged thecrowds and watched an aerial display of vintage and modern aircraft with the Red Arrows' finale powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel. The world-famous acrobatic team also used vegetable oil to produce their trademark red, white and blue vapour trails over the royal residence – believed to be a first. Trooping, also known as the King's Birthday Parade, fell silent after Charles had inspected hundreds of troops on Whitehall's Horse Guards Parade from a carriage with the Queen by his side. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The moment of reflection acknowledged the aviation disaster on Thursday that killed 241 passengers and crew, including more than 50 British nationals, and around 30 people on the ground. Charles led the royal colonels in wearing black armbands, with the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards, all wearing bands on their left arms. Young royals delighted monarchy fans by making an appearance, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis riding in a carriage with their mother Kate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad George, Charlotte and Louis joined other members of the royal family, including the Duchess of Edinburgh in theformer office of the Duke of Wellington, to watch the spectacle in honour of their grandfather. Kate took her place next to the King and Queen on the dais, in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards – a symbolic position and one she was unable to take up last year because she was receiving cancer treatment, and instead watched the ceremony with her children. Trooping the Colour is as much a social occasion as a ceremonial celebration, and stands around Horse Guards Parade were filled with around 8,000 wives, girlfriends and parents of the guardsmen and officers on parade. The minute's silence was observed when Charles and Camilla returned to the dais, following an announcement to the spectators and a bugler sounding the Last Post. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Thousands lined the royal procession route from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where Trooping was staged. A group of activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a 'not my King' protest.
The Herald Scotland
34 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
EastEnders icon to leave BBC soap after huge betrayal
Now new spoilers have shown George packing up his bags and leaving Albert Square for good. EastEnders character George Knight to leave the show after huge 'betrayal' According to The Mirror, the chaos on the BBC show started when Junior revealed that George had gone off to see his ex-wfe on Christmas. The EastEnders character insisted that he rejected her advances, but things took a dramataic turn when Elaine saw her husband being comforted by Cindy Beale. After seeking advice from her Drew Peacock, she slept with another character called Stephen. When the pair eventually got their relationship back on track, she was unable to keep the secret from George. When she came clean to him, he could not see past the 'betrayal', choosing to leave her. Next week will see Phil Mitchell attempt to convince George to forgive Elaine. After telling her that she should be given a second chance, she is left enraged by his inability to take any responsibiliy for the breakup and rejects him. Recommended Reading: Who is EastEnders characer George Knight? According to the EastEnders Wiki, George Knight, who is played Colin Salmon, is the patriarch of the Knight family and is the father of Junior, Gina and Anna Knight. The ex-boxer has been involved in a number of stories since his first appearance on our screens in 2023. These include his moving into the Queen Vic, his proposal to Elaine and the reveal that his ex-wife was Cindy Beale. EastEnders is available to watch and stream on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Glastonbury star cancels all gigs for rest of 2025 after mental health battle
British rapper, Bru-C, real name Josh Bruce, will not be performing again this year after telling fans he needed to prioritise his mental health in an admission, which he said was 'difficult to make' A MOBO Award winner has pulled out of performing at Glastonbury after cancelling all his gigs for the rest of the year. Rapper, Bru-C, real name Josh Bruce, who was due to perform at Worthy Farm this summer, said he needs to focus on his mental health, admitting he had been 'trying his best to bury things'. The hip hop star from Derbyshire, 33, said he was "really hoping" that he wouldn't have to cancel all his commitments, including Glastonbury, for the rest of year, but admitted he needs to "take a step back". Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "I'm really sorry to announce I'm going to have to cancel all my upcoming show commitments for 2025/the foreseeable future. Many of you know I've been struggling with mental health issues for some time now and I've tried my best to bury things and keep my life and career moving forward." Bru-C, who won the Best Newcomer award at the MOBOs in 2022, explained that he'd "got gradually worse over the last few years" and needed to "take another step back to try and get back to kind of stable place in my life". He insisted it was the "last thing" he wanted to do to let down fans, but needed some time out to take get his life "back on track". The rapper continued: "I know a lot of people will have spent hard earned money to come out to the shows I'm booked at, and I really am sorry for the impact of this decision will have on you all. "I hope you understand I have to prioritise my own mental and physical health." Admitting he didn't know when he'd be back on stage again, Bru-C concluded: "I want you to know I'm seeking the right help and support, and I take none of this for granted. I just want to be better, when that will be I don't know." Responding to his post, Bru-C's pals from the music industry sent him their support. Rapper Gardna wrote in the comments section: "Brother the tunes you have are timeless. "The main stage will always be ready for you! Go well king!" DJ and musician, Example added: "Take your time man. Focus on yourself. Mad respect for this post. Hopefully it helps others. Love ya x" Meanwhile, Toddla T, a producer commented: "we love you bro. a show is a show. they aint going anywhere .. you can enter the stage again in the future if u choose.. heal up and come back match fit just like when a baller mash up his ankle… take as long as you need." Now based in Nottingham, Bru-C's album Original Sounds was released in November 2019 with CruCast, which was his record label at the time. His second album Smile was released in December 2020. In December 2021, Bru-C signed a contract to join the major record label, Def Jam Recordings.
