British Scandal

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In a country obsessed with gossip, the great and the good fear one thing more than any other - scandal.

British scandals change the course of history. They bring down governments, overthrow the rich and cause the mighty to fall. Some are about sex, others about money. In the end, they’re all about power. 

But often at the heart of a scandal, there are ordinary human stories. Stories of those caught up in the swirl of outrage. 

Who was really to blame for what happened? Why did they do it? And when all is said and done, did anything really change?   

From the creators of Business Wars, American Scandal and Ghost Story, comes British Scandal. Each week, hosts Alice Levine and Matt Forde delve into the murkier side of the British elite, from Phone Hacking to Profumo to the short-lived premiership of Liz Truss. Because sometimes the truth doesn’t set everyone free…

Listen to British Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/british-scandal/ now.

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Recent Reviews

DaveLaMo

I’m in love (with this podcast)

Search all you want but you may never find a podcast with better chemistry than this one. Informative, cheeky, and entertaining. Love this duo
nickname 4742575325

love it

you guys are great and the production is amazing ✅
maiway

Don’t drop 4 at once!

I love this podcast, and new episodes dropping were among the highlights of my week. Now I can’t keep track of when a new series will appear, and am falling out of the habit of weekly listening. I think you’re going to lose listeners with this new format.
Rando In NJ

Love love love

So I just wrote a long review singing the praises of this podcast but I think I deleted it while trying to type too quickly. Hate that. But what I love is this podcast. Smart, fun/funny, pitch-perfect. Nothing voyeuristic. Every story touches on topics that go beyond the story itself. There’s always something meatier to chew on… universal topics like money and power, politics and fame, personal ambition, family, delusion vs reality, crime & punishment, justice & the law, etc. —- The only reason I subscribe to Wondery is to support this pod. And while I follow & listen to boatloads of podcasts, this is the only one for which I’ve written a review. (I suppose this reflects badly on me, but it’s meant to be praise for BritScan!) Thank you, BritScan team — researchers, writers, producers, sound mixers, et al — for this gem that you all created. I am already dreading the day you announce that the show has run its course. Not ready for that.
Georgielew

What a fab podcast!

Only discovered this podcast last week and have devoured about 10 seasons (oops!). Charming hosts/narrators walk us through well-written and researched cases from history and add their own delightful insights. Just fantastic! Thank you!
woolgathering wordsmith

My Favorite Podcast!

I just love everything about this podcast! It is informative and fun! Matt and Alice are the best hosts! They always make me laugh! Keep up the good work!
dedhed8

Amazing podcast

I just finished the first four episodes and the story telling is the best I’ve heard. I have approximately 40 podcasts I listen to regularly and this is #1. The hosts are great. They have great chemistry. I’m trying to figure out if they are a couple. Must listen!
Bearsy908

The Two Peru

Good show but you did omit what M McCollum did to better herself in prison. She even helped her cell mate and Melissa. Seems you were so focused on the negative you failed to see how she turned her life and her horrible circumstances into a learning/healing process. You didn’t mention how young and impressionable she was either. I’m glad I did more research on this story. I found out many facts that weren’t mentioned in your podcast. Still love your podcast but maybe be a bit more open to some positives!
Y.t.09870987

Please learn some pronunciation!

is La dyosa a is La diosa (phonetic ˈdjosa) Please try to google the phonetic of spanish names, cities, nicknames etc, I could barely make it during the Nicaragua fiasco. Otherwise pretty entertaining.
Herrow herrow how low

Just the Best!

One of my absolute favorite history podcasts, and I'm not even British. The hilarious and deeply witty, intelligent humor and banter Alice and Matt have, nevermind their chemistry, adds so much depth and joy to this brilliantly researched podcast. I've learned a lot, laughed just as much, and find it to be the perfect companion to American Scandal and American History Tellers. When there are overlapping themes/scandals, like “The Sexed-Up Dossier” (British Scandal) and “The Plame Affair” (American Scandal), it's next level. Thanks for putting your heart & soul into making this. I'm now a weird history buff — who knew?
HANS206604267

Absolutely Enthralled

The minute I hear the opening theme music, my stomach flutters in excitement because I am going to experience everything from informative scandal, intriguing narration and cheeky banter, and end each episode wanting more. Every. Single. Time.
Lexi’s Owner

Great Topics!

Excellent podcast with good writing. The topics you cover are varied and fascinating. Keep it up!
Karstinr

I thought you should know..

As an American, I thought it was funny that Matt said the FBI would be involved in a bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a civil action and thus the police and law enforcement is not involved in it at all but for a few very specific circumstances. In the situation you described it would never happen. Again, in the episode with Howard Marks you imply he is facing the death penalty for selling drugs but that also is untrue. There must be a murder and a couple states have gone back and forth with child sex abuse as a death penalty issue and the same is true of treason as federal crime. You also have described a federal prison as the worst but they are the best funded so they have better food and amenities. I used to work for a district attorney, a private attorney and for the courts so I have considerable knowledge on these issues.
TaraBaccus

Pankhurst

The Pankhurst series was incredible.
whynotpugs

The Pankhurst Women

If this series doesn’t inspire every woman to exercise her right to vote, then what possibly could? It’s humbling to listen to and realize just what extraordinary lengths women went through to simply be heard. We can feel our vote won’t make a difference, but it *can’t* make a difference if we don’t go to the booth. Considering women in the US have only had the right to vote for about 104 years, how sad is it that so many of us don’t know just how hard-fought and hard-won those rights are. It’s wasn’t achieved with marches. It took so much more. The movement started and grew with The Pankhursts in Brittain. Their extraordinarily brave battle was waged against a brutally vengeful government who viewed women as an existential threat to their control. Women were supposed to think and believe what their husbands and ruling men told them. What threatened these men most was that they could lose power and influence if women were given the opportunity to vote and disagree. They feared what would happen when women realized how little they were protected by the laws dictated and designed to keep them in their place.
Jackendall

Wonderful podcast!

I was looking for something new to listen to, found this podcast and have been hooked!! I think I’ve listened to them all 10x each. I laugh and learn at the same time. The storytelling is A+ give it a listen, you won’t be disappointed!!
mrrobbob

British Scandal

I love this podcast! Alice & Matt are wonderful together. The commentary is laugh out loud funny & I’m not British. Would love to spend an evening with both of them in Matt’s favorite pub & laugh for hours.
Russell gawat

Terrible Pretend Accents

Excellent podcast but the Scottish accents in the Mone series are appalling. It’s like Americans doing “ British Accents “ not realizing accents change all over the country. These pseudo pretend generic Scottish accents are awful , insulting and poor.
KK rocks so so so so MUCH

Amazing Find

So happy I’ve found this podcast. Love the topics, the dramatic breakdowns which never go over the top and the humor of these two hosts.
Sissarae27

Covid lies continue

And ANOTHER story trying to use the usual scare tactics about Covid. Do you think we are stupid????? Its 2024!!!!! We KNOW now!!! Absolutely insane, that you are sticking with the blatant lies and still expecting us to just go with it!!
Violet Paget

Anything Alice Levine Touches…

Pure gold! So well researched, and really beautifully told. Love the format. Doesn’t pander to the audience; it trusts you to understand the complex details of scandals, which is refreshing. Could listen to these forever. PS: the theme music is 👌🏼
Bebelier

Just excellent

Love it!
Marley Insomniac

Love it all. Spit out my drink during Baroness Bra to Baroness Bitcoin

Love the format of the story telling weaved with pithy comments. Cried laughing season 42 episode 2 when Alice said “Maybe Michelle Mone knows some good men!” Spot on commentary and comedy. Not everyone can do that.
Nullity

Love

I love this show because it is about British scandals and it gets my mind off of American scandals. Keep up the great work. I am enjoying this immensely
colbyjack.tampa

I am an American and you made this simply wonderful

Please please please do American scandals both of you. You’re incredible. The show is wonderful. I don’t even care about British history cause American and all… and you made me care. That’s how good you are. your wit, your humor, your knowledge for the love of God do something more than just your tiny little island. 😂 Y’all are great. Thank you for helping me learn in a really fun way.
Completely Fascinated

Love!

Love Matt and Alice - one of the best podcasts around!!
cdesros

Addicting and humorous

Alice and Matt are laugh out loud funny with their little comments and the content and dramatizations are compelling. Interesting stories but the hosts make this a very special podcast.
JimmyG_415

British Scandal

As an American who follows crime, I find this show 100% fascinating. Except for the Kray Twins, I’ve not heard of any of these crime stories before. The canoe season was especially good. I love the accents and when they do the voices. ESP Alice doing the Kray voices.
Edman9

Fantastic stuff!

This alone is worth the wondery plus subscription. Alice and Matt have some of the most natural banter, even if it seems all scripted. The writing is where it’s at with this podcast. It’s a wild ride!
Reddyfred49

Bestest podcast ever!!!!

I finished my previous podcast and stumbled across Alice and Matt. Oh my gosh I have binged all seasons. I wish there were more. I would recommend these guys. Definite 5 star!!!
Brocass

Great content, even better chemistry

Alice, Matt, and their team at wondery have created such a fun podcast with two of the most affable hosts out there. Absolutely fantastic.
Magalla704

Matt needs to be quiet

This is a great podcast when it comes to information, but Matt’s silly asides ruined it for me.
Amlash63

Good topics and Great Hosts

A welcome relief from the silly giggling girls who host most of these podcasts. Well researched and informative.
Concern Guest

Stunned

“Absolutely riveting.”
cwinter2

The Dynamic Duo - Together Again!

I LOVE this podcast! Have listened to all the seasons and even when the topic isn’t a fave for me, I listen, laugh, and learn because Matt and Alice have a comedic chemistry that cracks me up and keeps me engaged!! Your guest hosts were fun, but there is nothing like the Alice and Matt show! Welcome back, Matt!!
Kerri Bassett

Great Podcast!

I have loved your show from the very beginning… but I really do miss Matt….😢 Welcome back Matt!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤦🏻‍♀️
Dukejen04

YAY! Matt is back, finally!!!

I LOVE this show so much, but most of all because I love Alice and Matt. And while a few of the guest hosts did a good job (some of them weren’t as good)- NO ONE is as good as Matt and I was SOOOO thrilled to see the newest episode drop today so I could enjoy having our favorite duo back again! Welcome back Matt, we miss you!! You guys are my favorite podcast hosts by FAR, and I’m ecstatic to have our dynamic duo again. Alice— you did an amazing job holding down the fort, but I’m SO pleased Matt is now here again with you because it just wasn’t the same!! YAY!!! Made my day! LOVE YOU! —Jen
Obi-Wan T.

Spectacular Krays interview!

WOW! The interview with the Kray’s barrister was fantastic. Could have listened for another couple of hours. Love that this podcast seeks out those connected to the story who can give real insights - shows that the way the story is presented is based on accurate research. Great interviewing by Alice. Missing Matt and the easy chemistry but thank you to the guest hosts helping to keep the podcast going. Rob was great and Phil was funny esp considering they are coming in ‘cold’ I can see why Phil’s humor may not go down easily for US listeners (and I’m sure some UK) but the podcast is still its usual high quality and interest level and tone. Maybe be thankful we still HAVE it rather than complain about guest hosts. Some of Matt Forde’s others have had to go ‘off air’ while he is recovering. Best wishes to Matt and thanks to Alice for adapting to different co-hosts so we can still enjoy.
iTuneellena

One of my favorite podcasts

The stories are compelling, the narrative is so well written and the hosts (and the guest hosts) have fantastic rapport and banter. This American loves to get away from the mess of our own scandals and enjoy the scandals from Britain.
Mrs Skinny Skip

British wit

I do enjoy the two hosts and their banter during the retelling of the Canoe story. They keep my interest. Only one irritating issue…haha… please pronounce year numbers correctly, such as ‘two thousand two’ not as a decimal number such as ‘two thousand AND two’.
Cheney 63

Excellent podcast

I already a big fan of Wondery. I love my American Scandal but British Scandal take it to a whole new level. I like the interaction between the two lead podcast hosts and their interactions between each other. I highly recommended. It sure make me look at history in a different light. Thanks!
Wonder Ivy

Where’s Matt ?!

The host are good but I miss Matt. You two make me laugh so much . Hope he is well . Love the show .
BedouinUrbanite

I miss Matt

I love this show so much and am eager to know when Matt when he back. I so miss the perfect comedic chemistry they have. It’s just not the same.
LICistener

Phil is fantastic

Keep Phil permanently
Danny Boy100

Cancel or . . .

get better. I don’t know where Matt is, but there is no chemistry in this “guest” group, and the scripts are horrible. Bottom line: Quality has collapsed. Rethink, redo, or take a break.
Lynn1973

Guest Hosts

Rob Delaney is so much better as a guest host than Phil Wang. I’m not sure I can finish the first episode of the new season because of him. He isn’t funny…at all! I love this podcast but please, no more Phil.
Sakuraalpha

Like Rob Delaney better than Matt

Definitely more amusing.
Everygal

MATT AND ALICE

They have a great chemistry and play so well off each other throughout each episode. Missed him this time.
Nancy in Fred'bg

One of my favorites!

Love this podcast! The topics, the history and research, the presentation ,,, Matt’s accents are so good,, the hosts are clever. I’m addicted and telling others
XanCam2727

Both hosts are fantastic!

This podcast is great! The scandalous stories are interesting and the hosts have me laughing throughout. Even the sound design is well-done. Enjoy!