Crime Next Door - BBC Sounds

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The Playground Murder: 2. This is the Day Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

Diane Watson’s best friend Pauline Love helps carry her home, just yards away from the playground. When Diane’s parents – Jim and Margaret - open the door they are horrified to find their child bleeding and struggling for breath. Their son Alan returns to find his big sister lying on the hall floor, surrounded by paramedics.

Audrey meets teachers from Whitehill Secondary to hear about the effect Diane’s death had on the school.

This episode contains content that listeners may find distressing.

Written and produced by Audrey Gillan and Laurence Cook

Series Editor: Shelley Jofre

Commissioner: Heather Kane Darling

Head of Audio for BBC Scotland: Victoria Easton-Riley

Legal Advisor: Ros McInnes

Editorial Policy Advisor: Nikki O’Donnell

Assistant Producer: Jax Sinclair

Original music, sound design and mixing: Joel Cox

Series Producer: Laurence Cook

The Playground Murder: 1. Bad Blood Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

On the 10th of April 1991, Diane Watson and Barbara Glover stand in the middle of a school playground, surrounded by a circle of children. Barbara has come armed with a knife. Why?

Written and produced by Audrey Gillan and Laurence Cook

Series Editor: Shelley Jofre

Commissioner: Heather Kane Darling

Head of Audio for BBC Scotland: Victoria Easton-Riley

Legal Advisor: Ros McInnes

Editorial Policy Advisor: Nikki O’Donnell

Assistant Producer: Jax Sinclair

Original music, sound design and mixing: Joel Cox

Series Producer: Laurence Cook

Archive Sources:

Hugh Grant: Taking on The Tabloids – Channel 4 (02:50)

The Leveson Inquiry.

The Playground Murder: Trailer Oct 11, 2026

Show notes

In 1991 – a teenage girl takes a knife to school and commits murder in the middle of a playground full of children. The killing of Diane Watson devastates her family and shocks a whole country. Following her trial, the killer, 15-year-old Barbara Glover, is detained ‘without limit of time’.

But, for the Watson family, the grief and pain is far from over.

Audrey Gillan traces the ripple effects of the murder of a child, by a child – uncovering how the words of two journalists spark a bitter and decades-long crusade which transforms a dinner lady into a ferocious campaigner. One who does everything in her power to change the law, take on a whole industry, and right an historic wrong.

The Confession: 6. The Ring Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess.

Episode 6– The Ring

Dr Lauren Bradford Clarke was just four years old when her mother Lesley Howell was murdered by her father Colin. He was assisted in the killing by the woman he was having an affair with – Hazel Stewart.

Now an assistant professor of criminology at Nottingham university, Lauren is determined that she will not be defined by her family’s past – and that she will reclaim her mother’s memory for her own future.

Episode written and presented by Dr Lauren Bradford Clarke Series readings by: Declan Rodgers Tierna McNally Andrew McCracken Christine Clare Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

The Confession: 5. The Trial Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

Episode 5 – The Trial

Colin Howell’s police interviews reveal the true extent of Hazel’s role in the murders of Lesley and Trevor, but Hazel claims she was under his control.

During Hazel’s trial for double murder, Lesley’s daughter Lauren is shocked to hear her police interviews played in court - and believes Hazel could have stopped the murders from taking place

Narrated by Lucy McConnell Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

The Confession: 4. The Secret Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

Episode 4 – The Secret

After the killing of Lesley and Trevor, Colin and Hazel continue their secret affair.

Lesley’s daughter Lauren begins to see Hazel as a mother figure, unaware of the dark secret she shares with her father Colin. But years later, when Hazel and Colin have ended their affair, remarried and started separate new lives – Colin Howell begins to believe that God is punishing him, and that he must confess to their crimes. Narrated by Lucy McConnell Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

The Confession: 3. The Innocent Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

Episode 3 – The Innocent

On the day of their son’s second birthday, Colin Howell prepares to murder his wife Lesley and phones Hazel to confirm the plan is going ahead that night.

With assistance from Hazel, while their children sleep, Colin carries out the murders of Lesley and Trevor and prepares to stage a suicide scene in a garage in the village of Castlerock. Narrated by Lucy McConnell Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

The Confession: 2. The Affair Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

Episode 2 - The Affair

In a close-knit Baptist church community in Coleraine, Northern Ireland - Hazel Buchanan, married to a local RUC officer - begins a secret affair with married dentist Colin Howell.

When the affair is discovered, the church arranges counselling for both couples - but Colin Howell begins plotting with Hazel to murder their partners.

Narrated by Lucy McConnell Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

The Confession: 1. The 12 Apostles Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

Episode 1 - The 12 Apostles

When the bodies of Trevor Buchanan and Lesley Howell are found in a garage in the quiet coastal village of Castlerock, Northern Ireland - police believe it is a suicide pact. While witness statements show their partners lied to police and there are a number of red flags at the scene - a coroner’s inquest raises no further concerns about their deaths.

Narrated by Lucy McConnell Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin

A BBC Northern Ireland production

The Confession: Crime Next Door: The Confession Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

In Crime Next Door: The Confession; family, friends, former police officers and journalists tell the story of a much loved mother and sister, an adored father and brother – and the devastation when the truth about their deaths was finally revealed.

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