Episodes

  • 4: A Change of Heart? (or War is Declared)

    4: A Change of Heart? (or War is Declared)
    Jan 17 2025
    As war was declared, did Unity Mitford try to return to Britain? She’d bought a gun and written a last will and testament - so, what was going on inside her head? Was the once frivolous socialite realising the full horror of her situation? Listen to find out! Sandra Parsons, Literary Editor of the Daily Mail, explores world-exclusive extracts from Unity Mitford’s personal diary - revealing the fears and tension in those days before and after Britain was drawn into war with Germany. In this final episode, Unity takes a day trip to Dachau concentration camp, moves into an apartment where the Jewish owners have been evicted, and finds herself increasingly alone, on a bed that she’s draped with swastika flags. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • 3: A Conflict of Loyalties

    3: A Conflict of Loyalties
    Jan 17 2025
    How will Unity Mitford reconcile her love for England with her besotted loyalty to Adolf Hitler and fascism? As war looms, she sits next to The Führer at official dinners and is privy to German state secrets – but is Hitler using her to spread false information? Listen to find out! Sandra Parsons, Literary Editor of the Daily Mail, explores world-exclusive extracts from Unity Mitford’s personal diary - revealing Hitler’s state of mind in the run-up to war, and his extraordinary relationship with a frivolous British socialite. In this episode, Unity appears to have a premonition of disaster and prepares for the worst. Host: Sandra Parsons Actress: Cicely Whitehead Producer: Ben Devlin Sound Design: Jarek Zaba Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Executive Producer: Bella Soames Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • The Frivolity of Evil

    The Frivolity of Evil
    Jan 17 2025
    How did British socialite Unity Mitford become a committed fascist and anti-semite? Was it simply out of adoration for Adolf Hitler? And did The Führer really act like a love-struck 17-year-old, equally besotted by Unity? Listen to find out. Sandra Parsons, Literary Editor of the Daily Mail, explores world-exclusive extracts from Unity Mitford’s personal diary - for the first time, revealing a twisted tale of obsession and frivolity. In this episode, Unity enters Hitler’s inner circle and finds herself alone with him in the early hours of the morning. Host: Sandra Parsons Actress: Cicely Whitehead Producer: Ben Devlin Sound Design: Jarek Zaba Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Executive Producer: Bella Soames Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Stalking Hitler

    Stalking Hitler
    Jan 17 2025
    How did the aristocrat English socialite Unity Mitford become infatuated with The Führer? How intimate was their relationship? And, as the clouds of war gathered across Europe, why did Adolf Hitler spend hours alone with this woman who was half his age and related to Sir Winston Churchill? Listen to find out! Sandra Parsons, Literary Editor of the Daily Mail, explores world-exclusive extracts from Unity Mitford’s personal diary - for the first time, Unity’s words tell the story of a bizarre relationship that was both intimate and deeply shocking. In this first episode, Unity becomes seduced by the dark spectacle of Nazism and sets her sights on befriending Hitler just as the world is waking up to the danger he poses. Host: Sandra Parsons Actress: Cicely Whitehead Producer: Ben Devlin Sound Design: Jarek Zaba Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Executive Producer: Bella Soames Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • The Execution

    The Execution
    Feb 23 2024
    In this episode MP Chris Bryant concludes the three part story of James and John, the last two men in Britain to be hung for the crime of sodomy. It’s late November 1835 and James and John are in the “hell above ground” of Newgate Prison, among their only visitors is a young writer called Charles Dickens who's appalled by their treatment. Hensleigh Wedgwood, the magistrate who committed the men to trial, writes to the Home Secretary pleading for their lives, but it is not to be and notorious hangman William Calcraft will, once again, be at the gallows in front of a blood-thirsty crowd. Although it will come too late for James and John, change is in the air. Host: Chris Bryant MP Producer: Rob Fitzpatrick Editor & Sound Design: Tony Onuchukwu Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Exec Producer: Jamie East Leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp +44 7796 657 512 This is a Mail Metro Media Production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • The Trial

    The Trial
    Feb 16 2024
    In this episode MP Chris Bryant continues the three part story of James and John, the last two men in Britain to be hung for the crime of sodomy. It’s summer of 1835 and, after James and John have been seen having sex in William Bonell’s room in South London, their case has come to court. James’ wife Elizabeth pleads for her husband’s life - but it’s in vain. Two men will be executed and one will be shipped across the world to die, broken, in a new and strange land. Host: Chris Bryant MP Producer: Rob Fitzpatrick Editor & Sound Design: Tony Onuchukwu Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Exec Producer: Jamie East Leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp +44 7796 657 512 This is a Mail Metro Media Production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • James & John

    James & John
    Feb 9 2024
    In this episode MP Chris Bryant begins the three part story of James and John, the last two men in Britain to be hung for the crime of sodomy. It’s the summer of 1835 and the two men, both servants to wealthy clients, meet in William Bonell’s rooms in South London. But someone’s looking in on them and 19th-century Britain’s unique obsession with homosexuality will leave a dark and terrible stain on our nation’s legal history. Host: Chris Bryant MP Producer: Rob Fitzpatrick Editor & Sound Design: Tony Onuchukwu Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Exec Producer: Jamie East Leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp +44 7796 657 512 This is a Mail Metro Media Production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • The Tragedy of James & John

    The Tragedy of James & John
    Feb 5 2024
    Introducing Lost Voices, a series dedicated to events that should never have happened. Season 1 focuses on James & John - the last two men to be hanged in Britain for being gay - hosted by Chris Bryant MP. A Daily Mail production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 min