British Scandal

by Wondery
1,647
History #56

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
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • 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!!
  • Bearsy908
    👍🏼
    Welcome back Matt! It’s so good to hear you.
  • 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!
  • GatsbyNYC
    Two hosts?
    What does Matt do? Why is he a host?
  • PhotoGrl9
    I miss MATT
    Sweet Jesus, I hope Matt isn’t out long. Get him a mic in the hospital!!
  • jmW1969*
    My new favorite podcast
    This podcast is fantastic and it is my new favorite. The chemistry between the hosts is great and they are both so witty. Matt Forde is a delight- so charming, and laugh out loud funny.
  • myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics
    Love the Stories and the Banter
    When banter is done well it works, and this works to keep the story moving. Good stories, good scandals and it should be no surprise many are listening in the states. We have our scandals as a Americans. But British scandals are in a different league.
  • DianeMyte
    Matt’s commentary & interruptions make it frustrating to listen
    I really really try to get into this! The topics are great and Alice’s narration is very enjoyable, but unfortunately, Matts interruptions, and jokes just disrupted the flow of the podcast for me.
  • birzgalis,k
    10/10 would recommend
    Stumbled upon this podcast while I was in England for work. What a gem! Interesting stories, well produced, and funny commentary!
  • DinaForHill
    Fabulous
    The hosts are funny and the stories are so interesting and well researched. Matt has adorable giggle, and Alice is hilarious (you need to listen to My Dad Wrote A Porno if you haven’t already) It’s my favorite podcast, got me to subscribe to Wondery Plus. Keep them coming, little baby 😂
  • Fergie V.
    Average on the whole
    Content is great, but presentation (jokey-witty-sarcastic banter style) is painful to listen-through. Especially Alice is too try hard and missing the mark **roll eyes. Both hosts sound better just speaking “normally”, this is usually the last episode in each season when interviewing a guest. A shame, as content is interesting, well researched and well written.
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