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Shadow World — True Crime
Shadow World

Shadow World – Breakin’ the Cycle is the story of two feared London gangsters, Colin and D, who, in the early 2000s decide to try and escape the cycle of crime by making a movie based on their own lives as gang leaders and drug dealers. But the lines between fact and fiction quickly begin to blur, when they take a star-studded cast and a largely white, middle-class film crew into their world, in an attempt to make the UK’s first authentic hood film. Accidental stabbings, drug dealing on set, and even a real-life shootout. Amongst the chaos, they’re faced with the realities of leaving gang life behind, and the constant temptations of their old life threatening to drag them back in. Breakin’ the Cycle is a series about friendship, guns, drugs, money and the sacrifices required when leaving one life behind in pursuit of another.

What will it take for Colin and D to leave behind a world of guns, drugs, and gangs, and reinvent themselves as film-makers?

Gripping stories from the Shadows – BBC investigations from across the UK.

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2024

Latest Episodes:

The People vs McDonald's: 6. Judge for Yourself Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

At the end of the longest trial in English history, the verdict is finally delivered - and Helen uncovers who her former partner John really was.

In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer...

McDonald’s said the claims in the leaflet were untrue and defamatory and the company demanded an apology.

Helen Steel, a gardener, and a former postman named Dave Morris, refused.

Mark Steel takes us into the murky world of McDonald’s Corporation vs Steel & Morris – aka 'McLibel' - the longest-running trial in English history which would turn the spotlight on the way big business operates. As well as bringing issues like rainforest destruction and advertising to children into the mainstream, it would also be the moment our current Prime Minister first comes to prominence. If that isn’t enough, this story would ultimately have connections with a dark and shameful secret at the heart of the British state - something which Mark discovers he himself had been a victim of.

Shadow World: Gripping stories from the Shadows – BBC investigations from across the UK.

Presenter: Mark Steel Producer: Conor Garrett Executive Producer: Georgia Catt Development Producer: Christian Dametto Story Consultant: Annie Brown Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini Archive Research: Emma Betteridge Sound Mix: Tim Heffer Music Score: Phil Kieran

*Archive excerpts from director Franny Armstrong’s ‘McLibel,’ reproduced with the permission of Spanner Films

The People vs McDonald's: 5. Clowning Around Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

When Helen digs out some old letters from her former partner John, she finds some potential clues.

In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer...

McDonald’s said the claims in the leaflet were untrue and defamatory and the company demanded an apology.

Helen Steel, a gardener, and a former postman named Dave Morris, refused.

Mark Steel takes us into the murky world of McDonald’s Corporation vs Steel & Morris – aka 'McLibel' - the longest-running trial in English history which would turn the spotlight on the way big business operates. As well as bringing issues like rainforest destruction and advertising to children into the mainstream, it would also be the moment our current Prime Minister first comes to prominence. If that isn’t enough, this story would ultimately have connections with a dark and shameful secret at the heart of the British state - something which Mark discovers he himself had been a victim of.

Shadow World: Gripping stories from the Shadows – BBC investigations from across the UK.

Presenter: Mark Steel Producer: Conor Garrett Executive Producer: Georgia Catt Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Mix: Tim Heffer Music Score: Phil Kieran

*Archive excerpts from director Franny Armstrong’s ‘McLibel,’ reproduced with the permission of Spanner Films

The People vs McDonald's: 4. A Proper Grilling Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

A few months into the trial, Helen and Dave get an unexpected communication from the McDonald's Board of Directors.

In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer...

McDonald’s said the claims in the leaflet were untrue and defamatory and the company demanded an apology.

Helen Steel, a gardener, and a former postman named Dave Morris, refused.

Mark Steel takes us into the murky world of McDonald’s Corporation vs Steel & Morris – aka 'McLibel' - the longest-running trial in English history which would turn the spotlight on the way big business operates. As well as bringing issues like rainforest destruction and advertising to children into the mainstream, it would also be the moment our current Prime Minister first comes to prominence. If that isn’t enough, this story would ultimately have connections with a dark and shameful secret at the heart of the British state - something which Mark discovers he himself had been a victim of.

Shadow World: Gripping stories from the Shadows – BBC investigations from across the UK.

Presenter: Mark Steel Producer: Conor Garrett Executive Producer: Georgia Catt Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Mix: Tim Heffer Music Score: Phil Kieran

*Archive excerpts from director Franny Armstrong’s ‘McLibel,’ reproduced with the permission of Spanner Films

The People vs McDonald's: 3. Flipping Burgers! Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

When McDonald's discloses internal company documents to the court, they reveal somebody has been watching...

In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer...

McDonald’s said the claims in the leaflet were untrue and defamatory and the company demanded an apology.

Helen Steel, a gardener, and a former postman named Dave Morris, refused.

Mark Steel takes us into the murky world of McDonald’s Corporation vs Steel & Morris – aka 'McLibel' - the longest-running trial in English history which would turn the spotlight on the way big business operates. As well as bringing issues like rainforest destruction and advertising to children into the mainstream, it would also be the moment our current Prime Minister first comes to prominence. If that isn’t enough, this story would ultimately have connections with a dark and shameful secret at the heart of the British state - something which Mark discovers he himself had been a victim of.

Shadow World: Gripping stories from the Shadows – BBC investigations from across the UK.

Presenter: Mark Steel Producer: Conor Garrett Executive Producer: Georgia Catt Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Mix: Tim Heffer Music Score: Phil Kieran

*Archive excerpts from director Franny Armstrong’s ‘McLibel,’ reproduced with the permission of Spanner Films

The People vs McDonald's: 2. Burger, Nugget, Ketchup, Spy Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

The London Greenpeace numbers have been dwindling until new faces start turning up at meetings...but something isn't right.

In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer...

McDonald’s said the claims in the leaflet were untrue and defamatory and the company demanded an apology.

Helen Steel, a gardener, and a former postman named Dave Morris, refused.

Mark Steel takes us into the murky world of McDonald’s Corporation vs Steel & Morris – aka 'McLibel' - the longest-running trial in English history which would turn the spotlight on the way big business operates. As well as bringing issues like rainforest destruction and advertising to children into the mainstream, it would also be the moment our current Prime Minister first comes to prominence. If that isn’t enough, this story would ultimately have connections with a dark and shameful secret at the heart of the British state - something which Mark discovers he himself had been a victim of.

Shadow World: Gripping stories from the Shadows – BBC investigations from across the UK.

Presenter: Mark Steel Producer: Conor Garrett Executive Producer: Georgia Catt Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Mix: Tim Heffer Music Score: Phil Kieran

*Archive excerpts from director Franny Armstrong’s ‘McLibel,’ reproduced with the permission of Spanner Films

The People vs McDonald's: 1. The Leaflet Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

In 1986, members of environmental group, London Greenpeace, published a leaflet called ‘What’s wrong with McDonald’s?’ It claimed McDonald’s was exploiting workers, destroying rainforests, torturing animals, and promoting food that could make people sick, even cause cancer...

McDonald’s said the claims in the leaflet were untrue and defamatory and the company demanded an apology.

Helen Steel, a gardener, and a former postman named Dave Morris, refused.

Mark Steel takes us into the murky world of McDonald’s Corporation vs Steel & Morris – aka 'McLibel' - the longest-running trial in English history which would turn the spotlight on the way big business operates. As well as bringing issues like rainforest destruction and advertising to children into the mainstream, it would also be the moment our current Prime Minister first comes to prominence. If that isn’t enough, this story would ultimately have connections with a dark and shameful secret at the heart of the British state - something which Mark discovers he himself had been a victim of.

Shadow World: Gripping stories from the Shadows – BBC investigations from across the UK.

Presenter: Mark Steel Producer: Conor Garrett Executive Producer: Georgia Catt Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams Production Coordinator: Dan Marchini Sound Mix: Tim Heffer Music Score: Phil Kieran

BBC Studios for BBC Radio 4

*Archive excerpts from director Franny Armstrong’s ‘McLibel,’ reproduced with the permission of Spanner Films

The People vs McDonald's: Trailer Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Mark Steel introduces an extraordinary battle between two activists - a gardener and a former postman - and one of the world's biggest fast food companies. A battle over a leaflet which led to the longest trial in English history. It would bring issues like rainforest destruction and advertising to children into the mainstream. It would also be the moment our Prime Minister first comes to prominence. Ultimately, it's a story which would have connections with a dark and shameful secret at the heart of the British state - something Mark discovers he himself had been the victim of. Honestly, there are conspiracy theories less bonkers than this. Welcome to the People vs McDonald's...

Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK.

The Grave Robbers: 5. Ripe for the Taking Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

Where did the gang get the idea to use fake wills to steal the homes of the dead? Sue travels to Budapest to find out. As her investigation concludes, she exposes the scale of a crime that had gone unreported until now, and she hears how the authorities are finally starting to act.

Presenter: Sue Mitchell Producers: Sue Mitchell, Joe Moors and Winifred Robinson Sound design and mix: Tom Brignell Production coordinator: Juliette Harvey Executive producer: Joe Kent Commissioning executive: Tracy Williams Commissioning editor: Dan Clarke

The Grave Robbers is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

The Grave Robbers: 4. The Will to Steal Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

It should be impossible to steal a home, but this new narrative podcast from multi award winning investigative reporter Sue Mitchell (Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion, Million Dollar Lover) reveals a gang operating in the UK to steal houses from people who die without a recent will.

The series hears from victims of the gang - and confronts its leaders, highlighting the shortfalls of a creaking system that leaves many others at risk. It also reveals the scale and depth of an ongoing scam which is denying rightful heirs significant windfalls - and depriving the UK Government of inheritance tax revenue.

This is an original investigation. A story never told before, leading across borders and into the dark underbelly of the UK. Over five episodes, Sue reveals a network of companies that connect the gang members and finds evidence that as well as scamming people out of property, they are involved in illegal drugs, money laundering and the sale of UK work visas.

The Grave Robbers: 3. The Good Spy Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Michael Judd's neighbours watch on in horror as thieves take possession of his home - selling everything of value and destroying his much loved collection of musical instruments

It should be impossible to steal a home, but this new narrative podcast from multi award winning investigative reporter Sue Mitchell (Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion, Million Dollar Lover) reveals a gang operating in the UK to steal houses from people who die without a recent will.

The series hears from victims of the gang - and confronts its leaders, highlighting the shortfalls of a creaking system that leaves many others at risk. It also reveals the scale and depth of an ongoing scam which is denying rightful heirs significant windfalls - and depriving the UK Government of inheritance tax revenue.

This is an original investigation. A story never told before, leading across borders and into the dark underbelly of the UK. Over five episodes, Sue Mitchell reveals a network of companies that connect the gang members and finds evidence that as well as scamming people out of property, they are involved in illegal drugs, money laundering and the sale of UK work visas.

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