Buried

Introducing Buried: The Last Witness Jun 17, 2024

In a new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen to dig up a chemical secret. They inherit a box of evidence from a witness, with a warning.

You can listen to all 10 episodes of Buried: The Last Witness on BBC Sounds from 24 June, 2024.

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4.

The Last Witness - 1. A Box of Secrets Jun 24, 2024

When reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor are handed a box of unseen evidence, they begin a new investigation - into a chemical secret. A witness says he found deformed cows, and worried a toxic chemical had entered the food chain. But the witness had a warning for the future: "It's buried, isn't it? But it's going to come back."

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this series, Dan and Lucy team up with the film star Michael Sheen, who recorded the witness before he died. Was the witness right?

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 2. A Hollywood Sleuth Jun 24, 2024

Reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor visit the film star Michael Sheen - who recorded the witness's final account - and hear how he fell into a rabbit hole. They also discover Douglas Gowan's unpublished chemical test results. Are people in danger?

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, Dan and Lucy dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 3. Discredit Gowan Jun 24, 2024

“They would have killed me.”

Douglas Gowan says he was denounced in Parliament, impersonated and attacked - all to keep him silent. Dan and Lucy dig further into his explosive story, until they uncover an intriguing memo.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 4. Every Last Dollar Jun 24, 2024

A child born without eyes. What did the chemical do? In Alabama, Dan finds a contaminated town, still reeling from its toxic legacy. Internal confidential memos reveal the manufacturer knew the risk.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Additional research by Cardiff Journalism School Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 5. A Can of Worms Jun 24, 2024

As Dan and the film star Michael Sheen go digging around a toxic site, they are given a warning - the truth is a can of worms. A vicar picks up where Douglas left off. What is the full scale of the UK’s chemical legacy?

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 6. Off the Scale Jun 24, 2024

Dan rushes to a site in South Wales, where PCBs are reportedly escaping from an old landfill site. He and Lucy take their strange team on the road, to test the earth in towns and villages countrywide. The results could reveal whether Douglas' prophecy has come true.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 7. On Your Plate Jun 24, 2024

Michael Sheen calls... have Dan and Lucy accidentally poisoned him?

Probably not, but scientists warn that 'something out there' is causing a rise in illnesses, such as testicular cancer. Could it be PCBs in our food? Dan and Lucy test for the chemicals in fish that people buy to eat.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 8. The Case for Douglas Jun 24, 2024

Dan and Lucy are shown how official reports have been changed, and hear allegations of ‘cover-up’ and ‘conspiracy’. What do those in power know - and what have they done?

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 9. The Case Against Douglas Jun 24, 2024

A friend casts doubt on Douglas’ honesty. Could he have lied? Dan and Lucy uncover unsettling truths, and begin to question what’s real. They've tested the chemicals - now it is time to test Douglas. And Michael Sheen gives his verdict.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Additional research by Grace Nicholls Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

The Last Witness - 10. The Apex Stone Jun 24, 2024

In a finale of discoveries, Dan and Lucy speak to Douglas's best friend and finally learn the truth about his stories.

They are moved to test their own blood for PCBs. When Douglas talked about 'the children... and the children's children...' Do you get it now?

At Douglas’s grave, the 'apex stone' is revealed.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Research by Georgie Styles Additional research by Grace Nicholls and Cardiff Journalism School Sound design and mixing by Jarek Zaba Original music and sounds by Phil Channell Executive Producers: Philip Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - Bonus Episode: Recycling Corrupted Nov 03, 2024

Two years on from their award-winning Buried series about British waste crime, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor return to Mobuoy in Northern Ireland, where more than one million tonnes of recycling and waste was illegally dumped.

Inundated with new leads and information, they decide to follow secret waste trackers hidden in councils' recycling today. The devices lead them to startling revelations about the scale of problems in recycling. Worse still, a police file reveals suspicions that waste criminals flourished thanks to corruption.

Written and produced by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Executive Producer: Phil Abrams Sound Design: Jarek Zaba Sound Recording: Nigel Thompson Composer: Phil Channell Commissioning Editor: Hugh Levinson

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Introducing Buried - Series 1 Jan 16, 2023

A trucker leaves a deathbed tape about an appalling crime. It leads two reporters into a criminal underworld. But what did the man in the tape know? His plea: dig it up.

Series 1 - 1. A Deathbed Tape Jan 23, 2023

A trucker leaves a tape about an appalling crime. Three words echo - Dig it Up. It leads one couple to the story of an illegal million-tonne dump in the UK.

In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history. They uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, and realise they've stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste? In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 2. A Scene of Horror Jan 23, 2023

Dan and Lucy visit Mobuoy, and reveal the audacious scam of how criminals dumped a million tonnes of waste. But there’s worse, as they learn what was buried.

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 3. A One-Man Mission Jan 23, 2023

Who was Joe Ferguson? His family say he was a man on a mission. But something bothered him about Mobuoy, even after the dump was exposed. What did he know?

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 4. Blackleg Jan 23, 2023

In the dead of night, a meeting with a vet, who talks of an eerie event. It leads to a trail of toxins. Could Mobuoy still be a threat?

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 6. FOFO (Fear of Finding Out) Jan 23, 2023

When a man used satellites to find illegal dumps, he learned they’re everywhere. But the criminals are watching him. Could a mafia be growing rich on our waste?

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 5. The Missing Memo Jan 23, 2023

A memo goes missing - until now. It rallies a community to keep calling for the truth.

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 7. How to Make a Mafia Jan 23, 2023

In the Comorrah’s neighbourhood in Naples, Dan and Lucy learn how waste can fuel a mafia. They’re warned that the UK is playing a dangerous game.

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 8. The Screams of the Dead Jan 23, 2023

Crowds gather as a woman speaks. Her child is dead from cancer. And there are countless more. Are the dumps to blame? Under armed guard, one priest decides to speak out at risk of his life.

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 9. Fear of the Unknown Jan 23, 2023

In his last days, Joe thought the pollution was putting lives at risk. His friends were willing to break the law to find out. Years on, are deadly cancers rising?

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Series 1 - 10. What Joe Knew Jan 23, 2023

Justice at last over Mobuoy - and a legal first by the river. Then, in a finale of twists and answers, we uncover the secret that disturbed Joe until the end.

"All you have to do... is dig it up."

A trucker’s deathbed tape plays out. It’s urgent, desperate. In this BBC Radio 4 podcast series, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor deep-dive into one of the worst environment crimes in UK history - the secret dumping of a million tonnes of waste near a city. But when they uncover missing documents, fears of toxicity and allegations of organised crime, they realise they’ve stumbled into something much bigger. As they pick at the threads of one crime, they begin to see others. Could Britain be the home of a new mafia, getting rich on our waste?

In a thrilling ten-part investigation, the husband-and-wife duo dive into a criminal underworld, all the time following clues left in a deathbed tape. They’re driven by one question - what did the man in the tape know?

Presenters and Producers: Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor Assistant Producer: Tess Davidson Original Music and Sound Design: Phil Channell Sound Design and Series Mixing: Jarek Zaba Executive Producers: Phil Abrams and Anita Elash Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

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