Episodes

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
0101The Shifton Scandal 11984080320110622 (BBC7)
20130502 (BBC7)
20141202 (BBC7)
20160726 (BBC7)
20180509 (BBC7)
20200116 (BBC7)
20220102 (BBC7)
20220108 (BBC7)
20220109 (BBC7)
20230802 (BBC7)
Undercover investigative reporter David Lander begins a four-part expose into irregularities over plans to site a new London airport - near Birmingham.

With serious allegations aimed at a multi-national giant - what exactly has the government's role been in the plans to demolish the town?

And exactly who is the shifty Mr Browncoat?

Studio production by Stephen Fry, Brenda Blethyn and Tony Robinson.

With:

Jack Klaff

James Griffiths

Stephen Frost

Peter Wear

Mark Arden

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Hilda Schroder

Monica Grey

Jon Strickland

Scott Cherry

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer.

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to Channel 4 TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1984.

David Lander's four-part expose into the government's behaviour over a town's demolition.

0102The Shifton Scandal 21984081020110629 (BBC7)
20130509 (BBC7)
20141209 (BBC7)
20160802 (BBC7)
20180516 (BBC7)
20200123 (BBC7)
20220109 (BBC7)
20230809 (BBC7)
In 1982 Shifton, a town 20 miles north east of Birmingham, was demolished to make way for London's third airport.

David Lander examines the part played in the scandal by Mickey Ozada's Jolly Good Fun Holiday Company and looks at the fate of the Women's Anti-Airport Protest Camp.

Studio production by Stephen Fry, Jack Klaff and Andrew Sachs.

With:

Brenda Bleythn

Moray Watson

Tony Robinson

Jan Ravens

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Mark Arden

Stephen Frost

Felicity Montagu

Phil Nice

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer.

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1984.

In his town demolition expose, David Lander examines the influence of a holiday company.

0103The Shifton Scandal 31984081720110706 (BBC7)
20130516 (BBC7)
20141216 (BBC7)
20160809 (BBC7)
20180523 (BBC7)
20200130 (BBC7)
20220116 (BBC7)
20230816 (BBC7)
Why did a Government Minister support the plan to build London's Third Airport 20 miles north east of Birmingham?

David Lander now attempts to answer that question by examining in detail the sex scandal which rocked the government and caused a sensation in 1982.

Studio production by Stephen Fry, Moray Watson, Jan Ravens and Jack Klaff.

With:

Brenda Bleythn

Mark Arden

Tony Robinson

Stephen Frost

Felicity Montagu

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Peter Wear

Phil Nice

Hilda Schroder

Brett Usher

Colin Starkey

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer.

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1984.

In his town demolition expose, David Lander examines the link to a government sex scandal.

0104 LASTThe Shifton Scandal 41984082420110713 (BBC7)
20130523 (BBC7)
20141223 (BBC7)
20160816 (BBC7)
20180530 (BBC7)
20200206 (BBC7)
20220123 (BBC7)
20230823 (BBC7)
In 1982, four men mounted an illegal operation to build London's third airport at Shifton, 20 miles north east of Birmingham.

David Lander now concludes his investigation into the notorious demolition scandal with a look at the arrests, the trial and the disturbing aftermath.

Studio production by Stephen Fry, Jack Klaff, Tony Robinson and Moray Watson and Brenda Bleythn.

With:

Peter Wear

Mark Arden

Stephen Frost

Robert Bathurst

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Phil Nice

Arthur Smith

John Bond

Carol Boyd

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer.

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1984.

In his town demolition expose, David Lander looks at the trial and disturbing aftermath.

0201The Archibald Gallery Robbery1985090620111027 (BBC7)
20130709 (BBC7)
20150210 (BBC7)
20160823 (BBC7)
20180718 (BBC7)
20200618 (BBC7)
20220306 (BBC7)
20220312 (BBC7)
20220313 (BBC7)
Reporter David Lander reopens the investigation into 1983's Archibald Gallery robbery.

Kevin Watts is the key suspect, but was he framed?

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Brenda Bleythn

Tony Robinson

Jack Klaff

Felicity Montagu

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Mark Arden

Stephen Frost

Phil Nice

Arthur Smith

Peter Acre

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1985.

0202Whose Baby?1985091320111103 (BBC7)
20130716 (BBC7)
20150217 (BBC7)
20160830 (BBC7)
20180725 (BBC7)
20200625 (BBC7)
20220313 (BBC7)
David Lander reports on the implications of revolutionary methods of baby production

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Tony Robinson

Julia Hills

Stephen Frost

Felicity Montagu

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Jack Klaff

Phil Nice

Robert Bathurst

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1985.

David Lander reports on the implications of revolutionary methods of baby production.

0203The Secret Disservice1985092020111110 (BBC7)
20130723 (BBC7)
20150224 (BBC7)
20160906 (BBC7)
20180801 (BBC7)
20200702 (BBC7)
20220320 (BBC7)
David Lander probes MI5 in a tale of dirty tricks, purple herrings and mauve sheep.

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Brenda Blethyn

Tony Robinson

Jack Klaff

Stephen Frost

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Felicity Montagu

Robert Bathurst

Phil Nice

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David

Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1985.

0204 LASTDouble Agent Russell Nicholson1985092720111117 (BBC7)
20130730 (BBC7)
20150303 (BBC7)
20160913 (BBC7)
20180808 (BBC7)
20200709 (BBC7)
20220327 (BBC7)
20220402 (BBC7)
20220403 (BBC7)
Reporter David Lander interviews notorious double agent Russell Nicholson at his luxury home in Bulgaria.

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Andrew Sachs

Jack Klaff

Brenda Blethyn

Felicity Montagu

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Robert Bathurst

Tony Robinson

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David

Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1985.

Reporter David Lander interviews the notorious spy at his luxury home in Bulgaria.

0301A Rocket For Defence1986090520120119 (BBC7)
20131203 (BBC7)
20150630 (BBC7)
20170117 (BBC7)
20180919 (BBC7)
20200813 (BBC7)
20220515 (BBC7)
20220521 (BBC7)
20220522 (BBC7)
20240117 (BBC7)
Reporter David Lander investigates whether we really need the new 'Sea Snake' torpedo.

Every year each British taxpayer gives £700 to the Ministry of Defence for new nuclear weapons. Would we be better off putting an extra lock on the door and having a fortnight in Bermuda?

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Jack Klaff

Brenda Blethyn

Harry Enfield

Dramatic reconstruction by:

Felicity Montagu

Robert Bathurst

Mark Arden

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as ‘This is David Lander'.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986.

Reporter David Lander investigates whether we really need the new 'Sea Snake' torpedo. Stars Stephen Fry. From September 1986.

0302Cowboys1986091220120126 (BBC7)
20131210 (BBC7)
20150707 (BBC7)
20170131 (BBC7)
20180926 (BBC7)
20200820 (BBC7)
20220522 (BBC7)
20240124 (BBC7)
When a builder burnt down their house, Ronald and Yvonne Worthington went to their solicitor.

That's when their troubles really started.

Reporter David Lander investigates Britain's cowboy builders.

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Stephen Frost

Dawn French

Phli Nice

Dramatic reconstructions by:

Jack Klaff

Julia Hills

Mark Arden

Robert Bathurst

Researched and compiled by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986.

Reporter David Lander investigates Britain's cowboy builders. Stars Stephen Fry and Dawn French. From September 1986.

0303Food For Thought1986091920120202 (BBC7)
20131217 (BBC7)
20150714 (BBC7)
20170207 (BBC7)
20181003 (BBC7)
20200827 (BBC7)
20220529 (BBC7)
20240131 (BBC7)
There's alarm over a new chemical additive for food.

Reporter David Lander investigates the worrying impact of N7Q.

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Mark Arden

Julia Hills

Harry Hill

Dramatic reconstructions by:

Jack Klaff

Robert Bathurst

Felicity Montagu

Researched by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986.

Reporter David Lander investigates the worrying impact of a new food additive.

Reporter David Lander investigates the worrying impact of a new food additive. Stars Stephen Fry. From September 1986.

0304 LASTCity Limits1986092620120209 (BBC7)
20131224 (BBC7)
20150721 (BBC7)
20170214 (BBC7)
20181010 (BBC7)
20200903 (BBC7)
20220605 (BBC7)
20240207 (BBC7)
The money men may be making a killing, but are they getting away with murder?

David Lander looks at the City and in particular the Rouget-Dory Venture Capital Syndicate

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Felicity Montagu,

Jack Klaff

Robert Bathurst

Dramatic reconstructions by:

Harry Enfield

Mark Arden

Researched by Tony Sarchet.

Editor: Paul Mayhew-Archer

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986.

David Lander probes shady shenanigans in London's Square Mile.

David Lander probes shady shenanigans in London's Square Mile. Stars Stephen Fry and Harry Enfield. From September 1986.

0401There's One Born Again Every Minute1987082820120321 (BBC7)
20140422 (BBC7)
20151013 (BBC7)
20170719 (BBC7)
20190403 (BBC7)
20220710 (BBC7)
20220716 (BBC7)
20220717 (BBC7)
20240313 (BBC7)
Intrepid reporter David Lander investigates unorthodox religions, and in particular the Sincere Repentist Church led by Joshua Fratt.

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Brenda Blethyn

Phil Nice

Jack Klaff

Dramatic reconstructions by:

Felicity Montagu,

Harry Enfield

Robert Bathurst

Researched by Tony Sarchet.

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

Editor: Paul Mayhew Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1987.

Intrepid reporter David Lander investigates the Sincere Repentist Church.

Intrepid reporter David Lander investigates the Sincere Repentist Church. Stars Stephen Fry and Harry Enfield. From August 1987.

0402Bitter Harvest1987090420120328 (BBC7)
20140429 (BBC7)
20151020 (BBC7)
20170726 (BBC7)
20190410 (BBC7)
20220717 (BBC7)
20240320 (BBC7)
Investigating pesticides and agricultural policy, intrepid reporter David Lander asks if farming is in crisis.

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Brenda Blethyn

Philip Pope

Robert Bathurst

Dramatic reconstructions by:

Julia Hills

Jack Klaff

Phil Nice

Researched by Tony Sarchet.

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

Editor: Paul Mayhew Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1987.

Probing pesticides and agricultural policy, David Lander asks if farming is in crisis.

Probing pesticides and agricultural policy - David Lander asks if farming is in crisis. Stars Stephen Fry. From September 1987.

0403Not-so-supergrasses1987091120120404 (BBC7)
20140506 (BBC7)
20151027 (BBC7)
20170816 (BBC7)
20190417 (BBC7)
20220724 (BBC7)
20240327 (BBC7)
Supergrasses are criminals. Criminals are liars. Policeman believe supergrasses Why?

Intrepid reporter David Lander probes the supergrass system and in particular the career of Billy ‘Stick' Adams.

Presented by David Lander with assistance from Stephen Fry.

Studio production by:

Brenda Blethyn

Robert Bathurst

Clive Mantle

Dramatic reconstructions by:

Janine Duvitski

Philip Pope

Julia Hills

Mark Arden

Researched by Tony Sarchet.

~Delve Special ran for four series from 1984 to 1987 and later transferred to TV as: This is David Lander.

Editor: Paul Mayhew Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1987.

If criminals are liars, David Lander asks why the police believe crooked informers.

Supergrasses are criminals. Criminals are liars. Policeman believe supergrasses. Why?

If criminals are liars, David Lander asks why the police believe crooked informers. Stars Stephen Fry. From September 1987.

0404 LASTResurrection Of St Jerome1987091820120411 (BBC7)
20140513 (BBC7)
20151103 (BBC7)
20170823 (BBC7)
20190424 (BBC7)
20220731 (BBC7)
20220806 (BBC7)
20220807 (BBC7)
20240403 (BBC7)
Intrepid reporter David Lander probes the extravagant lifestyle of Caribbean despot Felipe Delnazo and his wife Isabella.

Written by Tony Sarchet.

Starring Stephen Fry as David Lander.

With Brenda Blethyn, Robert Bathurst, Andrew Sachs, Philip Pope and Mark Arden.

Producer: Paul Mayhew Archer

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1987.

Reporter David Lander probes the rise and fall of Caribbean despot Felipe Delnazo.

Reporter David Lander probes the rise and fall of Caribbean despot Felipe Delnazo. Stars Stephen Fry. From September 1987.