Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20240417 | 20240419 (R4) | Extraordinary stories of life's turning points. | |||
| 20240424 | 20240426 (R4) | Extraordinary stories of life's turning points. | |||
| Harriet: What Happened Next | 20231226 | In this special edition of Life Changing, recorded in front of a live audience at the Hay Festival, we are catching up with Harriet Ware-Austin, who was a guest on the programme in 2021. Harriet had a difficult but important story to tell, concerning the deaths of her two sisters in a plane crash in Addis Ababa in April 1972. Harriet was only eight at the time and witnessed the event. Almost 50 years on, Harriet joined us to talk about the profound and long-lasting effects it had on her family. She also wanted to see if there was anyone else out there who had a connection to East African Airways Flight 720, but was totally unprepared for the extraordinary response her interview received. Two years later, this is the story of what happened after that interview and how it has been life-changing all over again. You can hear Harriet's original interview here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000v8w8 A live audience hears how telling us her story was another life-changing experience. A live audience hears how sharing her story was another life-changing experience for Harriet Ware-Austin. The response was remarkable, as were the stories from other survivors. | |||
| It's The Little Things | 20240410 | 20240412 (R4) | Agnes Nisbett is a nurse and midwife whose own hospital experience in the 1970s revealed just how flawed and uncaring the system could be. Agnes came to the UK from St Kitts as part of the Windrush generation. Her goal was to achieve as much as she could in her profession and despite the many barriers, “sheer hard work” got her to the top. Now in her eighties and looking back on her time in the NHS, she shares how her own private and personal loss inspired her to challenge and change things for others. This interview discusses the experience of stillbirth. Details of help and support with pregnancy-related issues are available through the BBC Action Line at bbc.co.uk/actionline. As midwife Agnes's third baby is delivered, she's confronted by a profound need for change Extraordinary stories of life's turning points. When experienced midwife Agnes's third baby is delivered, she's confronted by a profound need for systemic change – and makes it happen. | ||
| Witness | 20240403 | 20240405 (R4) | Georgia Gabriel-Hooper is now 20, she works for a tractor dealership and enjoys bumbling around the countryside. But as a child she was witness to a terrible event: her mother, Cheryl, was murdered in a domestic homicide. Understandably that day had a profound impact on Georgia who's since shown extraordinary courage and determination to use her personal testimony to raise awareness and create change around domestic abuse. If you, or someone you know, has been affected by domestic abuse or violence, you can find details of support available on the BBC Action Line at bbc.co.uk/actionline. If you are in immediate danger, you should dial 999. Just 14 when her mum is murdered, Georgia vows that she will never be forgotten. Extraordinary stories of life's turning points. Just 14 when her beloved mum is murdered in front of her, Georgia vows to help others escape domestic abuse – and to keep Cheryl's memory alive. Dr Sian Williams talks to people who have lived through events that reshaped their lives. | ||
| 01 | 01 | A Falling Man Left Me Paralysed | 20210407 | Jane Garvey talks to Grace Spence Green, a 25-year-old trainee doctor, about an extraordinary turning point in her life. Grace was walking through the atrium of the Stratford Westfield shopping centre when a man fell from several storeys up and landed directly on top of her. She woke up hearing screams and slowly realised they were her own. She was urgently telling those around her that she couldn't feel her legs. Grace was left seriously injured. She spent weeks in recovery in hospital, many of those nights desperately trying to wiggle a toe, many of the days learning the new skills of navigating life in a wheelchair and coming to terms with her new reality. All the while everyone around her was full of opinions and fury about what had happened to her but Grace's reaction may surprise you. Do you have an extraordinary story that you'd like to share? You can contact the programme at Lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Jane Garvey talks to Grace Spence Green about an extraordinary turning point in her life. | |
| 01 | 02 | I Stole \u20ac1.75 Million From Work To Feed My Gambling Habit. | 20210414 | Jane Garvey talks to Tony O'Reilly about the time he was forced to confront his spiralling addiction. Tony O'Reilly is from County Carlow in the Republic of Ireland. He placed his first bet at the age of 24. It was 1998 and like many, he was watching the World Cup. He and a mate put a pound on Kluivert to score the first goal in the Netherlands - Argentina quarter final and a final result of 2-1. He won. And so began his relationship with gambling. It started as a bit of fun at the weekend but years later, once he'd got an online account, the betting escalated rapidly and soon turned in to a full-on addiction. On his wedding day, Tony believed he'd lost all the money that was to pay for the event. He was saved when a horse he'd backed came from nowhere to win at the Epsom Derby. And so his addiction remained a secret. Now, with mounting debts and a baby on the way, Tony started to steal from his employer in a desperate attempt to try and win and pay everything back. By the end he had stolen 1.75 million Euros. On the day the auditors arrived to check the accounts Tony went on the run. He ended up in prison, his marriage fell apart and he lost his home but he never placed another bet. Now, a decade on, Tony is a full-time gambling addiction counsellor with Extern Problem Gambling and gives talks at secondary schools about the dangers of betting. Details of organisations offering information and support with addiction are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free, at any time to hear recorded information on 08000 155 947 Do you have an extraordinary story that you'd like to share? You can contact the programme at Lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Image credit: @Photocall Ireland Jane Garvey hears from Tony O'Reilly about his addiction and the day he went on the run. | |
| 01 | 03 | I Witnessed The Plane Crash That Killed My Sisters | 20210421 | Harriet Ware-Austin grew up between the UK and Ethiopia where her father worked. It was a unique and wonderful upbringing but that all changed suddenly in April 1972 when East African Airways Flight 720 departed from Addis Ababa airport en route to England. On board were Harriet's two older sisters who were travelling back to the UK for school. Harriet and her parents waved them goodbye from a viewing platform and watched the aeroplane taxi down the runway and briefly lift off. Tragedy struck when very soon afterwards the plane crashed down resulting in the deaths of 43 people including both of Harriet's sisters, Jane aged fourteen and Caroline who was twelve. The family moved back to the UK and had to adapt to the silence of life without the two girls and the reluctance in society to talk openly about death and grief. The transition was a `horrible shock` and Harriet felt she had a responsibility to compensate for the loss of her siblings and to avoid making any trouble for her parents. This event has had a profound effect on Harriet's life and the decisions she has made since. Now a human rights consultant, Harriet has recently decided to try and track down survivors and other relatives of the crash victims to find out how the course of their lives were also changed in that moment. Is there an extraordinary turning point in your life that you'd like to share? You can contact the programme at Lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Jane Garvey talks to Harriet Ware-Austin about the day that reshaped her entire life. | |
| 01 | 04 | The Day I Lost A Lifetime Of Memories | 20210428 | Charlie Wilson is a married father of two from Aberdeen, not that he had any recollection of that when he woke up in a hospital bed in June 2008. Before that day he had lived a very comfortable, sometimes lavish lifestyle. A self-confessed workaholic, he often worked 16-hour days as a self-employed finance director in charge of multi-million-pound deals. That all came to a sudden halt when Charlie, then 44, suffered a massive stroke and woke up with no memory of who he was. He didn't recognise his wife or his children, in fact every single memory of Charlie's life up to that point was now gone. His recovery was a slow and often frustrating process; he not only had to accept what he was being told by others about who he was, but he also had to relearn simple tasks like brushing his teeth or tying his shoelaces. Charlie rarely looks at old photo albums now, it can be frustrating looking back at a life and at people he doesn't recognise. Those memories will never come back but overall his recovery has been remarkably positive. He's returned to working in finance, now at the University of Aberdeen. Over the last 12 years Charlie has learned techniques which help him recall what he's been told about his earlier life and how to keep hold of the new memories he's making with his family. Charlie was given an hour to live following the stroke but now says it's a blessing to be alive and always looks to the future. Do you have a story about a life-changing moment that you would like to share? You can contact the programme at Lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Jane Garvey talks to Charlie Wilson about forgetting everyone and everything in his life | |
| 01 | 05 | The Coalman Who Could Have Been A Prince | 20210505 | Keith Williams aka Keith y Glo' or Keith the coal' was born in 1952 and brought up as the son of a coal merchant in South Wales. At the age of 13 he found out he had been adopted but it was only when he was in his forties and expecting a grandchild that he started looking into his family history. He eventually tracked down his birth mother and arranged an emotional reunion. It was at this first meeting that Keith asked her about his birth father and was presented with a bundle of documents and photographs. She told him that his father had been a young Malaysian prince who had also been studying in London. They had fallen in love and started a relationship but he was forced to return to Malaysia, where he later became the Sultan of Perak, one of the country's nine royal families. That revelation and Keith's search for answers has taken him to Malaysia and back as he attempts to piece together who he really is and what defines his identity. In another life Keith could have been royalty, and while that knowledge has changed him he reflects that he wouldn't have had what he has now; the warmth and love of his large Welsh family and the strong relationship he built with his birth mother. If you have a story you would like to share you can contact the programme at Lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Jane Garvey talks to Keith Williams about an extraordinary revelation about his parentage. | |
| 01 | 06 | Vitiligo Turned All Of My Brown Skin White | 20210512 | Sheetal Surti was born in to a British South Asian family in a small town in the East Midlands. Aged seven Sheetal noticed a white patch behind her ear. She didn't think much of it but soon more patches appeared and started to spread. She was diagnosed with vitiligo - a skin condition where unpigmented patches appear on different parts of the body. And so the treatments began. Some were medically advised, some were recommended by friends. Most of them were unpleasant, one in particular was horribly painful. But most importantly, for Sheetal, they didn't work. It was a lot for a girl going through puberty to handle and Sheetal's answer was to slap on a smile and ignore it. While she couldn't cover her patches, she became a master of covering up her feelings. Because of her appearance some people would ask if she had leprosy or skin cancer, others would tell her that she'd never get married or have a family. By 22 all of her skin had turned white. She no longer resembled the rest of her family. People would look at her quizzically when she told them her Indian name. After a while she would explain by telling them she was born in the 70s and her parents had gone through a hippie phase. She'd never talk openly about her vitiligo. Then, aged 35, Sheetal was watching a TV programme where people with vitiligo were talking about their condition. It was a turning point for her and the day she finally started to address her questions about belonging, her lost identity and the shame she'd buried for so many years. If you would like more information on vitiligo please visit www.nhs.uk Jane Garvey talks to Sheetal Surti about living with universal vitiligo. | |
| 01 | 07 LAST | The Near-death Experience That Made Me A Musician | 20210519 | Tony Kofi is the fifth of seven brothers and was raised by his Ghanaian parents in Nottingham in the late 1960s. At secondary school Tony was turned down for the music course he wanted to do, told he wasn't focused enough, and directed to do woodwork instead. He stuck with woodwork as he was really good at it, and left school at the age of 16 to become a carpentry apprentice. A few months in, working on a house construction, he fell from the roof arch to the ground floor where he landed on his head. Tony says he experienced the fall in slow motion and he had clear visions of unknown faces and places and saw images of himself playing an instrument. During his recovery it was that image which kept coming back to him. Tony made the decision to quit his apprenticeship and announced his intention to become a musician. He bought a saxophone and taught himself how to play by ear, before earning a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in the US. Scroll forward many years, Tony is now a highly-acclaimed jazz saxophonist and credits the fall with turning his whole life around. Jane Garvey hears how Tony Kofi's fall from a roof led him to fall in love with jazz. | |
| 02 | 01 | We Were Paraded Through The Streets And Spat At | 20211013 | In his twenties Jon Godsall was working in the family air-conditioning business but he also wanted to see the world, so he took his skills abroad. He found a job at the British embassy in Kuwait. On August 2, 1990, Jon set off in his car for work as he did every day. He realised something was wrong when he was stopped as he neared the embassy. The next thing he knew, he was on the floor with a gun pointing towards him. What happened next transformed his life. For thirty years, Jon found himself unable to speak about that time. Then in lockdown, this year, something changed and the process of opening up and sharing his experience had a remarkable impact on him. This is the first time Jon has told his story in public and some of what you will hear is upsetting. Details of organisations offering information and support with mental health are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Jane Garvey talks to Jon Godsall about the journey to work that led him in to a nightmare. | |
| 02 | 02 | The Phone Call That Changed Everything | 20211020 | Jemma Bere had an unusual childhood. Her mum was a primary school teacher who chose to homeschool her so they could move around a lot. They lived on a boat in Turkey, travelled to Thailand, Bali and across Europe. In her teens they finally settled in Wales after her mum met a new partner. He was a big drinker and home life became a bit chaotic but they muddled along. Jemma's mum and stepdad moved to Spain in her second year of A-levels. By now the couple had two kids: Alex and Billie. Then, just as Jemma was doing her exams, her mum died, she'd been hit by a car. The children were looked after by their dad and an amazing nanny who kept everything together while he continued to drink. Jemma would visit all the time; by now she had started university, but the situation wasn't brilliant and when the nanny had to leave to look after her sick mother everything fell apart. At the age of 23, fresh out of university with no home of her own and no job, Jemma made a life-changing split-second decision. Many of her friends and some of her family thought she was crazy but Jemma was stubborn and stuck to her guns. She tells her story to Jane Garvey. If you have a story you would like to share you can contact the programme at Lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Jane Garvey talks to Jemma Bere about the moment that gave her an instant family. | |
| 02 | 03 | I'm Held Together, By 17 Titanium Plates | 20211027 | Pip Peacock lives in Bakewell in the Peak District, a perfect spot for walking the family dog, Buster. He'd been with them for 11 years. He was originally a present for her youngest son when he was a teenager but when he found out just how much was involved in dog ownership the title of chief dog walker soon fell to Pip. Thankfully she likes walking. This year she set herself a challenge of completing 1000 miles on foot. She finished the last mile this October, raising money for the air ambulance who had come to her rescue when she was seriously injured on another country walk with Buster back in 2019. She tells Jane Garvey how that moment left her fighting for her life. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme you can email us: lifechanging@bbc.co.uk See here for more detail on how to keep safe whilst walking near livestock: www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/safety/walking-near-livestock.aspx Jane Garvey talks to Pip Peacock about the country walk that nearly killed her. | |
| 02 | 04 | We Said We'd Never Talk About It Again | 20211103 | On the evening of Friday 29 November 2013, Michael Byrne was having a drink with a friend in a bar in Glasgow. They'd gone to see a band and had only been there for about an hour when suddenly it felt like everything had been shaken up - as if they were in snowglobe. Amid the chaos of falling debris Michael's actions helping others were heroic, and afterwards to his wife and colleagues he seemed to be just fine. In the aftermath of this disaster he and his friend had agreed not to speak about what they'd been through in a misguided effort to protect' themselves. But Michael was struggling to cope and the more time that passed without talking about it, the worse things got for him. Confronting the experience would bring back traumatic memories from his early life and push him to a place where he contemplated suicide. He was stopped by a chance event - and then began seriously to address his mental health. Now Michael has founded an organisation called Lived Experience Trauma Support to provide mental health training and support services to businesses. The tragedy in 2013 was caused by a police helicopter that crashed into the roof of the Clutha Vaults in Glasgow. It claimed the lives of the pilot, his two crew members and seven customers in the pub that night. If you are looking for details of organisations offering information and support with mental health you can find them at bbc.co.uk/actionline. To get in touch with the programme, or to share your personal story, you can email us at: lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Jane Garvey speaks to Michael Byrne about a night out in Glasgow that ended in disaster. | |
| 02 | 05 | The Metal Detectorist, The Tip-off And The 30-year Quest | 20211110 | One Sunday, over drinks, Reg Mead was told a story: that back in the fifties a farmer had unearthed a pot full of old coins. He'd scooped up what he could and then ploughed the rest back in to the field. Reg is a keen metal detectorist so his interest was piqued. He got permission from the landowner and set off with some friends from his metal-detecting club. But there was a catch, the land was very much in use so he could only search for four to five hours a year. After a while most club members gave up and moved on but Reg and his friend Richard Miles persisted, for thirty years. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme you can email us: lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Reg Mead tells Jane Garvey how a chat over drinks led him on a very long treasure hunt. | |
| 02 | 06 | A Fear Of Dogs Put My Freedom At Risk | 20211117 | When Jaina Mistry was young she had a very scary encounter with a dog that she thought had given her a lifelong phobia. Her family felt much the same. But years later her freedom would be curtailed in the most basic way as even going out to a caf退 or to the gym became fraught with danger. To help her through this she was encouraged to put all her faith in a dog called Laura. Jaina is believed to be England's first blind female fitness instructor and told Jane Garvey about the transformative impact Laura has had on her life. To get in touch with the programme, or to share your personal story, you can email us at: lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Image: Jaina Mistry & Laura the dog Credit: Jaina Mistry Twitter: @mistryjaina1 Instagram: mistry_jaina Jane Garvey talks to Jaina Mistry about her deep fear of dogs and Laura, who saved her | |
| 02 | 07 LAST | A Nun, A Priest And Their Vows | 20211124 | Catherine Butler-Burns decided to become a nun aged 17. It was a shock to her parents, they weren't especially religious by Irish standards of the time and until then Catherine had been having a lively teenage social life. But she chose to take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience because the women she saw `saving the world` were nuns. Catherine took on a role teaching speech and drama at a Catholic school in Scotland where she met a priest called Father Michael. There was evidently an emotional connection between them but it was never openly acknowledged. She lived and worked as a nun for 42 years then - aged 60 - she made a momentous decision. And what would become of the love that had been stifled for nearly thirty years? To get in touch with the programme, or to share your personal story, you can email us at: lifechanging@bbc.co.uk Image: Catherine Butler-Burns Credit: Catherine Butler-Burns Jane Garvey hears about Catherine Butler-Burns' turning point after 42 years as a nun. | |
| 03 | 01 | Mayday | 20220406 | 20220407 (R4) | Moss Hills and his wife Tracey have made a successful living as entertainers on cruises. They play guitar and sing - usually covering 60s and 70s hits - as guests dance until the early hours. One stormy night in 1991 they were working on the Greek cruise liner Oceanos off the South African coast when the lights went out, the PA system fell silent and the ship rolled so much that just staying upright was a challenge. Their actions in the face of extreme danger would affect almost all of the 581 people on board. Moss Hills tells Jane Garvey his life-changing story. Moss Hills is the ship's entertainer, but tonight he has a very different role to play. |
| 03 | 02 | Moving Mountains | 20220413 | 20220414 (R4) | It's 2013 when Gilbert and Jane both have to face a major transformative moment. Jane has been studying for a much longed-for PhD and a new exciting career is on the horizon. Their life together is built on a shared love of nature and hiking. But then Gilbert can no longer walk. Some big decisions have to be made and just when they are at their lowest, the mountain view from their bedroom window sparks something remarkable. Jane and Gilbert Taylor each face turning points which force the couple in a new direction |
| 03 | 03 | A Free Lunch | 20220420 | 20220421 (R4) | From the age of two up to 16, Sin退ad Browne is in and out of children's homes and foster care. Her one constant is school. She's regularly told she will amount to nothing but against expectations and as an act of defiance, Sin退ad just studies harder. At times she is hungry and ashamed to ask for help. Years of a complicated relationship with food develop into a serious eating disorder but in spite of all this Sin退ad gets herself three A's at A level and then a law degree and a job as a solicitor. So many life experiences for a young woman but in the end it is a very simple thing, a meal, that forces a major turning point in her life. She tells Jane Garvey her remarkable story. Please be aware this edition talks about suicide and eating disorders. You can find details of organisations offering information and support with both these subjects: Eating disorders: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2DRkg4JC7SLT3B7hlrn6DKN/information-and-support-eating-disorders Suicide / Emotional distress: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4WLs5NlwrySXJR2n8Snszdg/information-and-support-suicide-emotional-distress It is a simple but meaningful meal that is transformative in the life of Sinead Browne. |
| 03 | 04 | Face Value | 20220427 | 20220428 (R4) | A trip to the pub changes Jill's life and face - she has had to rebuild both. |
| 03 | 05 | The Castle | 20220504 | 20220505 (R4) | Mikey Allen is on a tour of duty to Afghanistan when he is caught up in a landmine blast. He is physically unharmed but witnessing the event leaves him with mental scars that look set to destroy his life. He finds a way to combat the trauma that is both majestic and unique. He tells Jane Garvey his story. Please be aware that this interview references suicide. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, including urgent support, a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free to hear recorded information on 0800 066 066. Mikey Allen finds a majestic way to combat the trauma of war. |
| 03 | 06 | A Letter From Mum | 20220511 | 20220512 (R4) | An unexpected letter to work is about to set Steve on a very important and personal search |
| 03 | 07 LAST | Undercover | 20220518 | 20220519 (R4) | It's 1976, the UK is in the grip of a gruelling heatwave and fresh-faced detective, Steve Bentley is about to go undercover in a rural village in mid Wales. It's his first undercover gig, part of a massive national operation called Operation Julie and Steve's excited but wholly unprepared for the toll this job will take. Going undercover is the easy bit for Steve, it's transitioning back that's the hard part. |
| 04 | 01 | The Comeback | 20221012 | Kieran Quinlan is 17, living in Birmingham and an aspiring boxer when he is confronted by a man with a knife who tells him to empty his pockets. Kieran is given a countdown, 3 - ¦2 - ¦1 - ¦ and then it happens, he is stabbed - the knife reaching his heart. In surgery, he hears himself flatline. He survives but the wound leaves scars that penetrate deep into his life. It's in the years that follow that the fight for survival really begins. Twelve years on, he tells his story to Dr Sian Williams. Please be warned there are some graphic images described in this episode and reference to suicide. If you've been affected by anything you've heard you can find support here: Mental health: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1NGvFrTqWChr03LrYlw2Hkk/information-and-support-mental-health-self-harm Suicide/Emotional distress: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4WLs5NlwrySXJR2n8Snszdg/information-and-support-suicide-emotional-distress Aged 17, heading for a party, Kieran Quinlan is confronted by a man with a knife | |
| 04 | 02 | No-one Must Ever Know This | 20221019 | In the late 1950s a newspaper ran this small ad: 'Can Catholic people in London or the Home Counties offer a permanent home for an attractive baby girl aged one year who is above average intelligence?' That girl was Teresa Weiler, who was subsequently adopted and raised in a loving family home. Twenty years later she went to read her adoption file. Alone in a room with those documents and totally unprepared, she discovered a terrible secret about her birth parents that would reverberate through her whole life and lead her to make a profound decision. Yet she told no-one about it for decades. Dr Sian Williams hears her story. Teresa Weiler's birth parents had a shocking secret - one she didn't reveal for decades. | |
| 04 | 03 | Apocalypse... Now? | 20221026 | Steven Brosnan found himself in a bit of a rut, living at home and moving from job to job. Then, in 2012, on his 22nd birthday catastrophic events take place; rather than enjoying a pop concert with his brother he finds himself having to make apparent life-or-death decisions. Ten years later he tells Dr Sian Williams his unique story and the unexpectedly positive consequences those 48 hours had on his outlook. Producer: Thomas Harding Assinder with Edgar Maddicott Steven Brosnan is stuck in a rut: it takes a catastrophe to show him what he's capable of. | |
| 04 | 04 | Meal Deal | 20221102 | It's 2011 and Nicola Shaughnessy is on her way to an academic conference when she stops to buy herself some lunch. As she reaches for a sandwich she suddenly hears a familiar voice from her childhood. That moment and that voice lead to years of psychiatric care and upheaval but ultimately to answers and a better understanding of herself. Now a university professor, she tells her story to Dr Sian Williams. BBC Action Line support: Autism: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2637nQGtTK1D8YPkCSnlyDN/information-and-support-autism Eating disorders: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2DRkg4JC7SLT3B7hlrn6DKN/information-and-support-eating-disorders Nicola Shaughnessy is buying a sandwich when she hears a voice that sends her spiralling. | |
| 04 | 05 | Ripple Effect | 20221109 | Electra Rhodes is walking down a busy London street when she sees a man collapse. She's recently completed a first aid course and in the absence of anyone else she steps up and starts CPR. When the ambulance arrives and takes the man to hospital she makes a comment to his friend. Her words trigger a chain of events that will dramatically change the course of four lives. Electra tells Dr Sian Williams her story. In a bustling street Electra Rhodes does her best to restart a stranger's heart. | |
| 04 | 06 | Love And The Law | 20221116 | What do you do, if falling in love with someone becomes a matter of life or death? In 2013 Aderonke Apata found herself on a coach in the UK, heading for the airport, about to be deported to Nigeria. She'd left her home country years earlier in fear for her life. Her crime' was that she loved another woman. Same-sex couples in Nigeria face jail time from the courts and, in Aderonke's situation, the threat of deadly violence at the hands of mobs. As she got on the coach the documents that Aderonke had painstakingly compiled to stop her deportation were still being furiously faxed to the authorities. At the eleventh hour she was given a reprieve and so her legal training had begun. She would successfully fight her own case and find herself a new career in the process. Aderonke tells her story to Dr Sian Williams. On a coach to be deported from the UK, time's running out and Aderonke's hope is fading. | |
| 04 | 07 LAST | Baby Steps | 20221123 | Jason and Liz met by chance whilst travelling, they fell in love and within a year were engaged and expecting a child. 365 days after that first meeting, Jason woke up from a coma. He had suffered a devastating brain injury which meant he would have to learn to walk again just as his son was taking his first steps. As a couple, Jason and Liz Le Masurier had to navigate a new and unexpected course. They tell their story to Dr Sian Williams. A whirlwind romance, an accident, and a new family finding their feet. | |
| 05 | 01 | Taken: Tracey's Story | 20230405 | 20230806 (R4) | Tracey knew something was wrong the moment she got to the house. The place was empty, the children were gone and so was her husband Taz. Their marriage had broken down and they were going through divorce proceedings. Then she got a text message from him: Gary and Lisa say goodbye forever.' They'd been taken to Pakistan. Tracey enlisted the police, the Foreign Office and Interpol but in the absence of an agreement between Pakistan and England about parental child abduction cases they were powerless. Tracey was advised not to travel to Pakistan and she had no idea where to start looking for them anyway. Dr Sian Williams hears what Tracey went through in the decade it took for her to find her children, and the complicated aftermath. In the next episode Sian talks to Lisa, Tracey's daughter, to hear the story from her point of view. Her kids aren't home, then her husband sends a text: 'Gary and Lisa say goodbye forever'. |
| 05 | 02 | Taken: Lisa's Story | 20230412 | 20230813 (R4) | It was September 2000 when Lisa and her 10-year-old brother Gary were taken to the airport. Their Dad said they were going on holiday and that mum Tracey was going to join them later, just as soon as she could get time off work. As the children boarded the plane full of expectations for the trip they could not know how profoundly this moment would shape the rest of their lives - they were soon told Tracey had died and there was no point ever going back to England. Dr Sian Williams hears about Lisa's struggles to adapt to a new life in Pakistan, trying to keep memories of home and her mum alive but falling into despair and loneliness. Meeting her Mum again and returning to England aged 17 comes with a whole new set of challenges. This story is told from two perspectives, to hear mum Tracey's experience scroll back to the previous episode. Six-year-old Lisa boards a flight with her dad. She won't see her mum for the next decade. |
| 05 | 03 | The Box Under The Bed | 20230419 | 20230820 (R4) | Growing up Joe Jaquest Oteng knew very little about his Dad; they struggled to find much common ground. Joe's Dad, Peter, was guarded about his early life in Ghana and the family he had left behind when he emigrated to the UK in the 1960s. When Peter died Joe was left to sort through his belongings. He discovered bundles of documents, letters and photos which revealed new and shocking information which didn't match the life story Joe had been told. Dr Sian Williams hears how Joe set out to find the truth about Peter and how along the way made some joyful discoveries for himself. Joe thought he knew his dad until he found a cache of documents revealing lie after lie. |
| 05 | 04 | From The Rubble | 20230426 | 20230827 (R4) | It had been a beautiful day, Jessica Williams and her two young sons had been out in the local park enjoying the Welsh sunshine. By the time they got home they were happy but weary and looking forward to some cosy time on the sofa but as Jess opened the front door she noticed a strange smell. She put the boys in the sitting room and went into the kitchen to investigate that was when the house exploded. Jessica tells Dr Sian Williams how the family, with the help of their village, began to rebuild their lives. Jessica gets home with her two young boys. Minutes later their house explodes. |
| 05 | 05 | Overheard | 20230503 | 20230903 (R4) | Hazel Ellis-Saxon was brought up in a busy household with four siblings in the village of Tiptree in Essex in the 1960s. She struggled with her school work and was often finishing assignments when the other children were enjoying playtime. One day in a quiet classroom Hazel overheard her form teacher describe her to a colleague as mentally retarded'. These two words had a profound effect leading her to believe that she must be a huge disappointment to her parents and would never enjoy a full life. Dr Sian Williams hears how this label shaped Hazel's decisions for decades and what it took for her to throw it off. Eight-year-old Hazel listens in as her teachers discuss her. Their words are devastating. |
| 05 | 06 | Speechless | 20230510 | 20230910 (R4) | Being a TV news anchor was everything to Polly Evans until she was forced to re-evaulate her identity. Her turning point happened in the spotlight - in front of an audience of hundreds of thousands - when she felt deeply exposed and humiliated. It was caused by a physical condition called Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia, but Polly's journey since then has been one of self-knowledge and finding fulfilment in other ways, including a new career. She braves the studio for the first time to tell this story to Dr Sian Williams. Polly's put everything into her profession. Then in a moment on live TV it all goes wrong. |
| 05 | 07 LAST | If I Panic I Die | 20230517 | 20230917 (R4) | One Monday morning Stephen is meeting with his boss in a crowded coffee shop. Minutes later he's at the centre of a horrific and brutal crime scene his life hanging in the balance. It's left him deeply scarred but has also prompted him to press the reset button on his life, and forced a fresh start for his family. This is a story he hasn't told before publicly but as he explains to Dr Sian Williams, he believes sharing it will help him and perhaps others too. For links to support resources go to BBC Action Line: bbc.co.uk/actionline A coffee shop becomes a crime scene and Stephen's life hangs in the balance |
| 06 | 01 | It Started As A Perfect Wedding Day | 20231011 | It's the summer of 2008 and a bride and groom have just stepped out of a carriage drawn by two white horses. The sun is out, the bridesmaids are wearing beautiful dresses, everyone has drinks in hands. The day's gone smoothly for the wedding party and for Emily King who is sitting at the front of the carriage in control of the horses; it's her business and it's thriving. But then events take a terrifying turn. The psychological impact of that summer day has been deeply scarring but has also given Emily what her son calls superpowers'. Details of support with mental health issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. A chase begins - at the reins of her horse-drawn carriage, Emily fights to survive. It's the summer of 2008 and a bride and groom have just stepped out of a carriage drawn by two white horses. The sun is out, the bridesmaids are wearing beautiful dresses, everyone has drinks in hands. The day's gone smoothly for the wedding party and for Emily King who is sitting at the front of the carriage in control of the horses; it's her business and it's thriving. But then events take a terrifying turn. The psychological impact of that summer day has been deeply scarring but has also given Emily what her son calls ‘superpowers'. Details of support with mental health issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. A chase begins - at the reins of her horse-drawn carriage, Emily fights to survive. Sitting at the reins of her horse-drawn carriage, Emily feels in total control. Suddenly things takes a drastic turn, leading her on a terrifying chase down a country lane. | |
| 06 | 02 | Dead Calm | 20231018 | When Will Darby left school in 2007 his peers all headed to university but Will wanted something different so he went travelling in search of remote, unknown, and unridden waves to surf. Will built himself an idyllic life in the Solomon Islands but after just a few weeks everything came crashing down in an event that would create a lifelong bond with the island and its inhabitants. Will is in the Solomon Islands surfing spectacular waves - then the sea disappears. When Will Darby left school in 2007 his peers all headed to university but Will wanted something different so he went travelling in search of remote, unknown, and unridden waves to surf. Will built himself an idyllic life in the Solomon Islands but after just a few weeks everything came crashing down in an event that would create a lifelong bond with the island and its inhabitants. Will is in the Solomon Islands surfing spectacular waves - then the sea disappears. Will's 19 and, fresh from school, travels to the Solomon Islands in search of adventure and unridden waves to surf. It's paradise until one morning the sea disappears. | |
| 06 | 03 | The Baroness | 20231025 | Rachel Watkyn's upbringing was a contradiction: aristocratic but impoverished. She was forced to memorise her father's extensive family tree and was expected to behave as the 'perfect young baroness'. Despite their status the family didn't have clean clothes or heating and she was called fleabag' by other children at school. This left Rachel isolated, never knowing where she fitted in, and feeling not good enough. Years later, when Rachel was in her 50s, her father became unwell and made a startling revelation on his deathbed. Rachel had an aristocratic but poor upbringing, then came a deathbed confession. Rachel Watkyn's upbringing was a contradiction: aristocratic but impoverished. She was forced to memorise her father's extensive family tree and was expected to behave as the 'perfect young baroness'. Despite their status the family didn't have clean clothes or heating and she was called ‘fleabag' by other children at school. This left Rachel isolated, never knowing where she fitted in, and feeling not good enough. Years later, when Rachel was in her 50s, her father became unwell and made a startling revelation on his deathbed. Rachel had an aristocratic but poor upbringing, then came a deathbed confession. Rachel's upbringing was a contradiction. Aristocratic but impoverished, she was called ‘fleabag' at school. Then came a deathbed confession. | |
| 06 | 04 | Blink Once | 20231101 | Sian Williams talks to ordinary people about an extraordinary turning point in their life. Police officer Clodagh Dunlop is used to dealing with emergency situations — until it's her own. It's Easter Monday 2015: Clodagh Dunlop is an ambitious police officer in Northern Ireland. A fit 35-year-old, she's in training to run a 6-minute mile. But her day off takes a terrifying turn, and Clodagh finds herself trapped in her own body - hearing the conversations around her but unable to communicate. Then she finds the strength to make a remarkable breakthrough. Police officer Clodagh is used to dealing with emergency situations \u2014 until it's her own. Police officer Clodagh Dunlop is used to dealing with emergency situations — until it's her own. Then she finds the strength to make a remarkable breakthrough. | |
| 06 | 05 | I Knew I Could Never Make It Right | 20231108 | Sian Williams talks to ordinary people about an extraordinary turning point in their life. In August of 2006, Teresa Clark was driving five of her friends back home after a day at a music festival. Several hours into the journey she fell asleep at the wheel of their people carrier and crashed. Three passengers were killed, two others were injured as well as Teresa herself. She was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and spent time in prison. The guilt and shame of carrying that loss of life almost destroyed her. But in the 17 years since it happened Teresa has rebuilt; she now works in the mental health and wellbeing sector trying to keep the vow she made to live her life for her friends, and do some good in their memory. Details of support with mental health issues and bereavement are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. In her 20s, Teresa Clark made a fatal decision that would impact multiple lives. | |
| 06 | 06 | Bluebells On Bunny Hill | 20231115 | Sian Williams talks to ordinary people about an extraordinary turning point in their life. When Alan and Irene met in 1959, their connection was instant. The two isolated children aged just seven and nine found warmth and kindness in each other in a children's home that was unwelcoming and strict. They would steal moments together up on Bunny Hill and talk about their lives. But the home had a rule that boys and girls could not mix. So when their friendship was discovered, a year after they first met, Alan and Irene were separated. It would take four decades for them to find each other again. In a children's home in 1959, a unique friendship is forged \u2014 then cruelly ended. Irene is 9 and Alan 7. Lost and lonely in a children's home they find joy in each other, until the day they are separated. It takes decades for them to find each other again. | |
| 06 | 07 LAST | Hurting The One You Love | 20231122 | Growing up in Newport with his mum and younger brother, Connor Allen struggled with his identity as a mixed race kid. He bottled up his feelings and as the anger and frustration built up, couldn't find the words to express his emotions. When his rage erupts into violence against his Mum, she ends up doing the unthinkable and calling the police. Connor is left facing a prison sentence, his future at a crossroads. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Hay Festival in May 2023. Full of teenage fury Connor lashes out at his mum \u2014 with far-reaching consequences. Unable to articulate his teenage fury Connor lashes out at his mum — with far-reaching consequences. Sian Williams talks to ordinary people about an extraordinary turning point in their life. |