Talk Podcasts

The Princess of Wales has revealed in a video message that in January, she underwent major abdominal surgery. While the surgery was successful, tests after the operation showed that cancer had been present, and she is now undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy. Kate’s announcement is yet another setback for the Royal Family, following the news last month that the King has a form of cancer, and the Duchess of York has revealed that she, too, is suffering from a form of skin cancer. We send our best wishes to all three and will be remembering them in our prayers. In this podcast, Marcus Stead and Greg Lance-Watkins discuss whether the recent difficulties could have been handled better by the Royal Family’s public relations team, and whether the clumsiness of it all played straight into the hands of vile trolls who have been spreading cruel and malicious rumours about the Princess of Wales. The Mother’s Day photo that was pulled appears to be a collage of other photos blended together. The image of Catherine looks like one that appeared on the front of Vogue magazine some time ago. The grainy video of Kate ‘out shopping’ with William that The Sun ran as an exclusive in the days before her announcement is certainly very odd. The woman in it looks to be no older than her late teens or early 20s, and her facial features are different to Kate’s. We also do not see a clear image of William to identify it as him. Good public relations is about clarity and controlling the story, and Kensington Palace have failed in those objectives. The discussion moves on to wider themes – where is the line to be drawn between the public having ‘the right to know’ and respect for the privacy of the Royal Family? What can be done about online trolls, who can spread appalling rumours without consequence? Prince Harry and Meghan have burnt their bridges with the Royal Family – if they had handled things differently in recent years, they could have held the fort while other senior members of the family receive treatment and recuperate in the months ahead. Their narcissistic behaviour means that is not possible. The podcast is available on the Talk Podcasts website, iTunes, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify and the iTunes app.

Time To Reflect Where is Julie and how is Hollie over two decades on from Michael’s death and how does she feel about the MOD and remembrance services?

Blood Money No amount of money - big or small - equates or compensates for Michael’s death. Hear how the MOD admit negligence - but it is not quite 100%.

Julie makes the trip to Sierra Leone to see where Michael was killed. Suddenly, and only now, do the Ministry of Defence begin to admit liability for Michael’s death...

Just over one year on from Michael’s death, it is time for the inquest. Will Julie finally get any answers? The podcast series is available on the Talk Podcasts website, iTunes, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify and the iTunes app.

Michael is laid to rest. But unrest is laid bare. The funeral is cancelled, then re-arranged. The guest list is vetted….A comedy of errors adds to the truth of lies... Presented by Tony Horne. The podcast series is available on the Talk Podcasts website, iTunes, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify and the iTunes app.

Days later, Michael’s body is returned to the UK. His widow Julie is lied to about which airbase he is coming into. Then, as his body goes missing for four days, the lies begin to stack up. Presented by Tony Horne. The podcast series is available on the Talk Podcasts website, iTunes, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify and the iTunes app.

December 2001. Michael has been home on leave. It is the only time he will see his newborn daughter Hollie. The podcast series is available on the Talk Podcasts website, iTunes, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify and the iTunes app.

It is 0630, 28 January 2002. There is a knock on the door. Michael is dead. The podcast series is available on the Talk Podcasts website, iTunes, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify and the iTunes app.

On 27 January 2002, Corporal Michael Phillips was killed in Sierra Leone. He had just returned there after a brief visit home before Christmas on paternity leave. Daughter Hollie was born early December. From the moment, when his wife Julie received that dreaded knock at the door, she knew the truth did not add up. A truth of lies. Finally, nearly nine years later, the Ministry of Defence admitted negligence. It has been two decades since Michael’s death. Hollie is now an adult. For the first time, his widow Julie Phillips goes on the record in conversation with renowned ghostwriter Tony Horne to unravel that Truth of Lies... The podcast series is available on the Talk Podcasts website, iTunes, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify and the iTunes app.

Last in the series. Hosted by Tony Horne.

The inquest: Cover up or covering yourself? Hear how Darren and Tony had to ask to give statements. Then litigation. How on earth did the judge exonerate Northumbria Police? Hosted by Tony Horne.

Why were there three funerals? Because there were at least three agendas. Hosted by Tony Horne.

The end is nigh. David melts down on Twitter, returns home from Australia and takes his own life. Hosted by Tony Horne.

Two trips to Oz. Who is Lisa French? Did Darren see that the end was nigh? Hosted by Tony Horne.

What happens when your 15 minutes of fame is up? 'They build you up and knock you down' - we have all heard that phrase. We analyse the whole process in case study of how the unprepared become front page news and then on a whim or a whisper, become persona non grata. Hosted by Tony Horne.

The trial is over. Awaiting the verdict has been agony. 'I have a lifetime ahead. They have a lifetime to reflect.' Hosted by Tony Horne.

The trial. Spoiler alert: contains comedy. Hosted by Tony Horne.

Growing up in Staffordshire. The Cornetto moment. Struggles to get into the police. Meeting Kath and moving to the Northeast. And dear Naomi... Hosted by Tony Horne.

After two weeks in hospital, it is time for David to go home. Amongst his visitors: Craig, with the Control Room confession. Hosted by Tony Horne.