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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 Smuggler: 3. The Mistake May 24, 2025

Show notes

Nick is growing in confidence, smuggling migrants across the channel on ferries. But human error is impossible to avoid.

The Smuggler: 2. Nick’s First Time May 24, 2025

Show notes

Nick is desperate to provide for his new family. He travels to Dunkirk to smuggle an illegal migrant into the UK. Meanwhile, a police operation swings into action.

The Smuggler: 1. The Passport May 24, 2025

Show notes

British builder Nick is struggling after the 2008 financial crash. He receives an offer from an Albanian people smuggling gang that’s too good to refuse.

Presenter - Annabel Deas Producer - Hayley Mortimer Sound design - Neil Churchill Editor - Matt Willis Commissioning Executive - Tracy Williams Commissioning Editor - Dan Clarke Series music - Ambit Sound

The Smuggler: Trailer May 19, 2025

Show notes

NEW in Shadow World: The Smuggler tells the story of a former British soldier who became an international people smuggler.

In this intimate portrait of a British people smuggler, we hear from the perpetrator directly, to uncover his motivations, methods and the consequences of risking the lives of desperate people. The investigation exposes how the smuggling techniques used are still possible today and details the ease with which smugglers can bring migrants into the UK without being caught.

Presenter: Annabel Deas Producer: Hayley Mortimer Sound design: Neil Churchill Editor: Matt Willis Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke Series music: Ambit Sound

The Willpower Detectives: 8. Nearest and Dearest Mar 29, 2025

Show notes

When The Willpower Detectives aired on BBC Radio 4, just before Christmas 2024, hundreds of listeners contacted the BBC with their own stories about power of attorney and the way it can be abused. The series revealed how a partner at an Essex based law firm – Ron Hiller – was taking over the finances of vulnerable clients, clearing and selling their homes and leaving them without access to information about where their money had gone.

In many of the stories from listeners, it was family members - siblings, partners, and grandchildren - who were taking control of assets and in some instances, overseeing the drafting of new wills. This additional episode relates one extraordinary story among those hundreds. A wealthy businessman gifted each of his grandchildren a property. Sue Mitchell discovers what happened when one grandchild used power of attorney to take more.

The programme exposes the difficulties involved when assessing mental capacity, especially when it comes to deciding who has financial control.

Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson. Sound design by Tom Bignell

The Willpower Detectives: 7. Rescue Me Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney – how one man controls the finances of scores of vulnerable people. Sue Mitchell holds those responsible to account and ends with the story of one woman, now on the brink of a new life. She is taking back control of her finances and is on the move.

Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions – through Lasting Power of Attorney – is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, BBC investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money. It often involves people with little or no family to ask questions about where they are moved to, or to challenge the fees involved. It can be people who’ve accumulated wealth over a lifetime, whose assets are now helping to fund those who are taking decisions for them. The series looks at the loopholes that allow it to happen and the relationship between care homes, social workers and a business taking on a huge number of powers of attorney. It begins with the concerned friends and relatives who want to know what has happened to their neighbour or loved one; Where have they gone? And why has their home been emptied and sold? This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse.

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

Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

The Willpower Detectives: 6. Falling on Deaf Ears Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

A man receives compensation after abuse in a Catholic boarding school and wants to know what has happened to some of his money. He asks Sue Mitchell to help him find out more.

The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours ask Sue for help.

Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions – through Lasting Power of Attorney – is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, BBC investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money.

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

Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

The Willpower Detectives: 5. Rich Pickings Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Who do people turn to if they fear that vulnerable neighbours need help, especially when relatives live far away? Sue Mitchell follows cases, hearing from some of those involved.

The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours ask Sue for help.

This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse.

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

Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

The Willpower Detectives: 4. Undue Influence Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Pam and Sylvie ask for help finding their friend and warn of the pressure felt to sign Power of Attorney orders. Sue Mitchell helps them search and investigates what has happened.

The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours ask Sue for help.

Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions – through Lasting Power of Attorney – is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, BBC investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money. This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse.

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

Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

The Willpower Detectives: 3. My Dying Wish Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Sue Mitchell tracks what happens when a rock and roll roadie leaves his estate to his closest friends. They become increasingly concerned that things aren't being properly handled.

The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours ask Sue for help.

This series examines how one man has taken control of the finances of scores of vulnerable people and also acts as executor on many wills. By tracking recent cases through national databases, Sue Mitchell meets friends and relatives of some of those who have died and examines concerns about the way that things were handled.

This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse. Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK

Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

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