Shadow World

Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK. Noel Titheradge uncovers devastating side effects caused by a class of prescription drugs.

Radio 4,61 episodes

Episodes

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Impulsive
Trailer
Noel Titheradge uncovers devastating side effects caused by a class of prescription drugs
10 Feb 2026,3 mins
Impulsive
1. Warning Signs
Bill’s new medication helps his Parkinson’s - but then he begins to behave impulsively.
16 Feb 2026,13 mins,
Impulsive
2. Wonder drugs
Steve starts chatting to camgirls online - how long can he keep it a secret?
17 Feb 2026,14 mins
Impulsive
3. Dopamine Hits
Freddie finds out his dad has recklessly invested his life savings in property overseas.
18 Feb 2026,13 mins
Impulsive
4. Big Pharma, Big Secret
Noel discovers a shocking report from inside the UK company that makes one of the drugs.
19 Feb 2026,14 mins
Impulsive
5. Restless
Lisa has new medication for her restless legs syndrome - then she meets a man online.
20 Feb 2026,13 mins
Impulsive
6. Chasing Losses
Lucy’s never tried a scratchcard before - but soon her gambling is out of control.
23 Feb 2026,14 mins
Impulsive
7. Missed connections
Lucy and Freddie finally make the connection between the behaviour and the medication.
24 Feb 2026,13 mins
Impulsive
8. Collateral
Andrew is arrested for fraud. Will a judge accept that medication affected his behaviour?
25 Feb 2026,14 mins
Impulsive
9. Blame Game
Who should take responsibility for the impact of side effects from dopamine agonists?
26 Feb 2026,13 mins
Impulsive
10. Reflections
Impulse control side effects are common, so why are they so hard to talk about?
27 Feb 2026,14 mins
Anatomy of a Cancellation
Trailer
Katie Razzall reveals what happened when a prize-winning author was accused of racism
03 Nov 2025,3 mins
Anatomy of a Cancellation
1. Kate’s Story
When a prize-winning author was accused of racism, she asked her online followers to help.
12 Nov 2025,28 mins,
Anatomy of a Cancellation
2. The Words
This time we hear from Kate Clanchy’s critics.
19 Nov 2025,28 mins,
Anatomy of a Cancellation
3. The Paper Trail
How did Kate Clanchy’s publisher respond to the online debate?
26 Nov 2025,28 mins
Anatomy of a Cancellation
4. The Defence of Kate Clanchy
We hear from some of Kate’s supporters.
03 Dec 2025,28 mins
Anatomy of a Cancellation
5. The Rewrite
Will a sensitivity read be enough to move on from the row?
10 Dec 2025,28 mins
Anatomy of a Cancellation
6. Post Mortem
Today, what lessons can be drawn from what happened to Kate Clanchy and her critics?
17 Dec 2025,29 mins
The People vs McDonald's
Trailer
Mark Steel introduces a battle between two activists and a fast food giant...
11 Aug 2025,3 mins
The People vs McDonald's
1. The Leaflet
Mark Steel discovers what happened when two activists took on a corporate giant.
13 Aug 2025,28 mins
The People vs McDonald's
2. Burger, Nugget, Ketchup, Spy
New faces start turning up at the London Greenpeace meetings...but something isn't right.
13 Aug 2025,28 mins
The People vs McDonald's
3. Flipping Burgers!
Disclosed court documents reveal somebody has been watching...
13 Aug 2025,28 mins
The People vs McDonald's
4. A Proper Grilling
Helen and Dave get an unexpected communication from the McDonald's Board of Directors.
13 Aug 2025,28 mins
The People vs McDonald's
5. Clowning Around
When Helen digs out some old letters from John, she finds some potential clues.
13 Aug 2025,28 mins
The People vs McDonald's
6. Judge for Yourself
The verdict is finally delivered, and Helen uncovers who her ex-partner John really was.
13 Aug 2025,28 mins
The Grave Robbers
Trailer
How is it possible to steal a home? Sue Mitchell investigates.
03 Jul 2025,2 mins
The Grave Robbers
1. My Dear Friend
Sue Mitchell investigates a gang using fake wills to steal people’s homes and inheritance.
05 Jul 2025,34 mins
The Grave Robbers
2. Strangers in the Street
Fake wills, stolen identities and cannabis farms
16 Jul 2025,31 mins
The Grave Robbers
3. The Good Spy
In life, neighbours protected Michael Judd, but when he died thieves stole everything.
23 Jul 2025,32 mins
The Grave Robbers
4. The Will to Steal
Sue Mitchell investigates a gang using fake wills to steal people’s homes and inheritance.
30 Jul 2025,31 mins