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When host Becky Milligan receives a surprise call from a crucial witness, she realizes she must revisit King Boris III's autopsy. Shocking new evidence about his death comes tantalizingly close to solving the mystery, but time is not on anyone's side. When an old friend turns up with a killer suggestion, it leaves a bad taste in Becky's mouth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Accusations fly like bullets as host Becky Milligan discovers that King Boris III has been a hunted man for most of his life and has dodged more assassination attempts than James Bond. Did he ignore the one crucial message that could have saved his life? Becky feels the net closing in on the identity of the Butterfly King's killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're back at the Vrana Palace in Sofia, Bulgaria, where King Simeon II and Princess Maria Luisa tell host Becky Milligan about their narrow escape from targeted Allied bombings after their father's death. As more secrets emerge from the pages of a British diplomat's private diary, Becky is forced to consider an ugly possibility. But as she follows the trail of poison, a brand new suspect slithers into the frame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder presents The Butterfly King, a historical true crime limited series from Exactly Right and Blanchard House. Join multi-award-winning journalist Becky Milligan as she unravels eighty years of lies, deceit and cover-ups to answer one question: Who killed the Butterfly King? You're about to hear “The Mender of Broken Dishes,” episode one of The Butterfly King. It's 1943 during a critical point in the Second World War. Caught in the crossfire, King Boris III of Bulgaria has a crucial meeting with a key ally. Someone resents his influence and wants him out of the way for good. The second episode, “Lies, Lies, Lies,” is available now in The Butterfly King podcast feed. Follow, rate and review The Butterfly King wherever you get your podcasts. See historical photos by going to @exactlyright on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing The Butterfly King, a World War II murder mystery from Blanchard House and Exactly Right Media, home of My Favorite Murder, premiering Thursday, March 21. Award-winning journalist Becky Milligan follows a trail of dissidents, poisoners, soldiers and spies to unravel eighty years of lies and cover-ups around the mysterious death of King Boris III of Bulgaria. The Second World War is raging when the king suddenly dies amid mysterious circumstances. There's no shortage of suspects. This tragic family saga of a doomed royal dynasty is a story of treachery, deceit and a quest for the truth. Who killed the Butterfly King? Follow the show today and don't miss the premiere of The Butterfly King on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
In this extra episode of Hooked on Freddie, Becky Milligan meets Doug Cartlidge who went from being a successful dolphin trainer to a leading anti-dolphinarium campaigner. When Britain was in the grip of dolphin-mania in the sixties and seventies, Doug was right at the heart of it. He had big hair, tight trunks and a bunch of famous friends. But after seeing too many young dolphins die in captivity – and almost losing his own life in a horrifying killer whale attack – Doug switched sides, campaigning to return captive dolphins to the wild.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Edwin Poots has been named as the new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. A farmer from the outskirts of Lisburn, not far from Belfast. Mr Poots entered political life in 1997 - and, since then, he's slowly but steadily risen to the top. He's held four Ministeries including health and agriculture and is viewed across the sectarian divide as a shrewd political strategist. A devoutly religious and committed member of the Free Presbyterian church, Mr Poots's ultra-conservative views on issues such as abortion and gay marriage have attracted heavy criticism over the years, as has his strongly held belief that the earth is approx. 6,000 years old. His supporters, however, insist that his personal beliefs have no bearing on his ability to do his job - and to lead the DUP into a new era. Via in-depth interviews with family, close personal friends and political commentators, Becky Milligan reveals the character behind the caricature sketched by media, the real person behind the public persona of Edwin Poots. Presenter: Becky Milligan Researcher: Stefania Okereke Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Paul Connolly Editor: Richard Vadon and Alex Lewis
Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland - who's facing calls to resign over the policing of a republican funeral during the pandemic, sparking violent disorder and protests. Simon Byrne, who's 57, is a policeman through and through. He joined the Metropolitan police as a teenager, straight out of school. Rising through the ranks, he took on senior roles in Merseyside, Manchester, London and Cheshire. He's now head of police in Northern Ireland, a post which many regard as the most difficult policing job in the UK, if not the world. Less than two years in post, and with the added challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit, Simon Byrne finds himself in a situation where policing and politics have collided. Becky Milligan talks to friends and colleagues about the man with a reputation for getting things done, a love of steam trains and a commitment to public service. Researcher: Stefania Okereke Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Richard Vadon
Emerald Fennell is the first British woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director. The film, that she also wrote - 'Promising Young Woman' - has been called a 'revenge-comedy', a movie for the #MeToo era. Fennell's rise has been meteoric - showrunner for the second series of 'Killing Eve', she's also well-known for her roles in front of the camera, including her portrayal of the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, in 'The Crown'. Becky Milligan tells the story of a prolific and multi-talented young woman. Presenter: Becky Milligan Researchers: Matt Murphy and Stefania Okereke Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Programme co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Linda Pressly Editor: Richard Vadon
The attorney general of Minnesota is the lead prosecutor in the trial for murder of George Floyd who died in May last year. His death became front page news after a video showed a white police officer kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes. It sparked massive civil unrest and forced a wider debate about law enforcement and racial inequality. Keith Ellison's role in the trial which started this week will be closely watched. He was born in Detroit in 1963, one of five brothers to parents with high expectations and a strong sense of social justice. As a young law student he became involved in community activism, a path which led to his election to Congress in 2006, the first muslim to achieve that. Becky Milligan talks to his family and friends. Producer: Sally Abrahams Researchers: Maia Lowerson & Matt Murphy Studio manager: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Rosamund Jones
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's journey to head the World Trade Organisation has been particularly note-worthy. She is the first woman and the first African to hold the position. A trained economist, she was at the World Bank during the financial crisis and, as Nigeria’s finance minister, she faced down corruption. It's not just her career that sets her apart. As a child she lived through the Biafran War. Years later she faced another crisis: the kidnapping of her elderly mother. But her friends say she does find time for a laugh and the occasional boogie. Becky Milligan hears about her fascinating life and career from close family, friends and colleagues. Producer: Ben Crighton Researcher: Maia Lowerson Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Rosamund Jones
The legendary make-up artist has just become the first in her industry to be made a Dame. Growing up in Northampton without industry contacts or formal training, Pat McGrath taught herself the techniques that have made her one of the most in-demand names in fashion. If you can name a designer label, she's probably worked for them, and now runs her own billion-dollar business. Supermodels, colleagues and friends tell Becky Milligan why she's had such a huge impact. Producer: Sharon Hemans Researcher: Beth Sagar-Fenton Production Coordinator: Janet Staples Mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Rosamund Jones
The creator of Mrs Brown's Boys has had a bumpy ride to stardom. Becky Milligan charts the journey - born the youngest of 11 children in Dublin, he faced bankruptcy and serial disappointments before finding success as the the matriarch of his very own family sitcom. This year it returns - for the 10th consecutive year - to our TV screens over Christmas. Producer: Ben Crighton Editor: Rosamund Jones
The academy award winning actor’s latest film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, is one of the first big budget releases since the pandemic closed cinemas. Viola Davis is the first black actor to win an Oscar, Emmy and Tony award – a triple crown of the most prestigious awards in film, television and theatre. Born on her grandmother’s farm, a former slave plantation in South Carolina. Davis was raised on the East Coast – in Providence, Rhode Island. As a child growing up in poverty, acting became a means of escape. After a decades-long career as a respected theatre actor, she was propelled to international attention in 2008, when she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in a single scene; alongside Meryl Streep in the film Doubt. Since then, she’s starred in a great many films and TV series; becoming widely recognised as one of the greatest actors of stage and screen this century. Becky Milligan explores her life and career and talks to her sister, Deloris, to find out what motivates an actor whose meteoric rise is symbolic of a deeper shift in how the film industry values black artists. Producers: Tom Wright and Ben Crighton Editor: Rosamund Jones
After a 30 year career of quiet public service, Dr June Raine has found herself in the spotlight when the UK became the first country to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. As the head of the MHRA she has ultimate responsibility for the process of approving any new Covid-19 vaccines in the UK, and when the eminent American immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci cast doubt over the speed of UK's approval process Dr Raine was forced to make a public response. Becky Milligan finds out more about her life, character and career. Producers: Viv Jones, Ben Crighton Editor: Rosamund Jones
This week the political turmoil at Number 10 has made the headlines. One of the prime minister's aides whose star appears to be on the rise is former journalist Allegra Stratton, the government's new press secretary. She'll be fronting televised briefings shortly. Becky Milligan examines her life and her career so far. Producers: Bethan Head and Sally Abrahams.
The former bricklayer steering Liverpool through the latest coronavirus lockdown. Liverpool was the first region to face the toughest restrictions as the second wave of the pandemic takes hold. The man in charge of dealing with this new crisis is the first mayor of the city region, Steve Rotheram. Becky Milligan charts his rise, from a 16-year-old school leaver to prominent politician. Producer: Ben Crighton Researcher: Luke Radcliff
As theatre bosses across the country warn they face devastation amid the coronavirus pandemic, actor Sir Ian McKellen is preparing to tread the boards in an age-blind interpretation of Hamlet. It will be one of the first major new theatre productions to start rehearsals in the UK since auditoriums went dark in March. The renowned theatre and film actor said he was happy to be working again in the role of the young prince he first played nearly 50 years ago. Becky Milligan speaks to close friends and colleagues, including Dame Judi Dench and Armistead Maupin, to find out what still drives him. Producer: Viv Jones
Supreme Leader of North Korea had not been seen in public for a number of weeks, setting off a global frenzy regarding his whereabouts and health. Speculation was rife as to who would succeed him. The most likely candidate is his closest confidant. A young woman whose always by his side. Becky Milligan pieces together the mystery of Kim Yo-jong. Politician and sister of Kim Jong-un. Producer Smita Patel Researcher Darin Graham Editor Ravin Sampat
Becky Milligan looks at the life of Dina Asher-Smith, the fastest woman in British history. An athlete who's also a keen historian, role model and lover of the glitz. For years she's been winning championships and breaking records. But will the great British hope win gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? Producer: Smita Patel
Becky Milligan explores how a teacher from the Sydney suburbs came to lead England into the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Producer Smita Patel Researcher May Cameron.
With his unruly blond hair and shambolic appearance, Boris Johnson is Britain's best-known politician. He's also favourite to become the UK's next Prime Minister. To his supporters, the former Mayor of London is charismatic, entertaining and a man of the people. His critics say he's unprincipled, ruthless and flexible with the truth. If he wins the Conservative party leadership race, he'll have to deliver Brexit. But what kind of leader might he be and how will he unite the country? Becky Milligan talks to some of those who've worked closely with him to find out what makes him tick. Presenter: Becky Milligan Producer: Sally Abrahams Picture: Boris Johnson poses during a visit to the Port of Dover Ltd., as part of his Conservative Party leadership campaign tour on July 11, 2019 in Dover, UK Credit:Chris Ratcliffe - Pool/Getty Images
This week Sadiq Khan was called a "stone cold loser" and mocked for his compact stature by the President of the United States. But London's mayor hit back. He described the President's behaviour as that of an 11 year old. Becky Milligan profiles the first Muslim to become mayor of a European capital. Producer: Ben Carter
He's the post-punk storyteller with a taste for panto and The Smiths. Becky Milligan profiles the new poet laureate, Simon Armitage. Producer: Ben Carter
As Libya edges towards civil war, Becky Milligan looks at the life of the man behind the most recent conflict, which began with his military assault on the city of Tripoli. Known as "The Strongman", Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar comes from a family of soldiers and as a young man admired his fellow army student Muammar Gaddafi, who would later denounce him after their disastrous defeat in a war in Chad. He was given refuge by the Americans and ended up living for twenty years in Langley, Virginia, home of the CIA, before returning to Libya, with the self-proclaimed aim of saving the country from extremists. Producers Smita Patel & Tural Ahmedzade Editor Andrew Smith
Listener, Alex, has a son with autism who's in a mainstream school. She explains how, after a difficult week, she was told to rethink how much she works in order to spend more time with her son. Paddy O'Connell - presenter of BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House - reads our Your News bulletin. iPM is the programme that starts with your story - email iPM@bbc.co.uk. Presented by Becky Milligan. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.
This week, an iPM listener explains how she came to sign a non-disclosure agreement with her employer, how it made her feel, and why she's never quite gotten over it. LBC's Shelagh Fogarty reads our Your News bulletin. iPM is the programme that starts with your story. Email us: iPM@bbc.co.uk. Presented by Becky Milligan. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.
Conservative MP Nick Boles has hatched a plan with Labour's Yvette Cooper to reduce the chances of a 'no deal' Brexit. Their amendment - with cross party support - will be put to the Commons next week. Becky Milligan profiles a rebel who has survived cancer twice and has spent a surprising amount of time throwing shapes on Ibiza dance floors. Researcher: Darin Graham Producer: Smita Patel Editor: Richard Knight
He's the Attorney General who this week told MPs to 'grow up' and 'get real.' Becky Milligan profiles Geoffrey Cox QC, whose rousing Parliamentary performance lost the argument but won admirers. Becky meets a former teacher who recollects a young poet, colleagues who recall flamboyant courtroom appearances and a clerk whose mission was to deliver forbidden treats. Producers: Phoebe Keane and Diane Richardson Editor: Richard Knight
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam in the west of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. In episode ten Becky meets a girl who was sent to one of the homes when she got pregnant. By sharing her story, we hear about the unbearable pain of giving up a baby, and how the girls felt being rejected by their family, society and the church.
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam in the west of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. In episode ten Becky meets a girl who was sent to one of the homes when she got pregnant. By sharing her story, we hear about the unbearable pain of giving up a baby, and how the girls felt being rejected by their family, society and the church.
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam in the west of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. In episode nine Becky tries to find out how much the state knew about what happened to the children who were born in the home. In 2012 a leaked briefing note between senior members of the Irish Health Service suggested that the trafficking of babies for adoption to America was “facilitated by doctors, social workers and other health professionals”.
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam in the west of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. In episode nine Becky tries to find out how much the state knew about what happened to the children who were born in the home. In 2012 a leaked briefing note between senior members of the Irish Health Service suggested that the trafficking of babies for adoption to America was “facilitated by doctors, social workers and other health professionals”.
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam in the West of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. In Episode Eight Becky tries to find out how the Catholic church responds to the story, and she meets a retired social worker, who served as a nun for 30 years, and a former priest. They describe how "the Church had more power than the State" prior to the 1970's, and how the priests and nuns saw themselves as the “moral guardians of the community…that nobody questioned.”
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam in the West of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. In Episode Eight Becky tries to find out how the Catholic church responds to the story, and she meets a retired social worker, who served as a nun for 30 years, and a former priest. They describe how "the Church had more power than the State" prior to the 1970's, and how the priests and nuns saw themselves as the “moral guardians of the community…that nobody questioned.”
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam in the West of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. In episode seven Becky hears from Michael who was adopted by a family in America "sight unseen" at the age of three. Despite being immersed in American suburban life and culture, as an adult he and his wife returned to Ireland to try and trace his birth mother.
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam in the West of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. In episode seven Becky hears from Michael who was adopted by a family in America "sight unseen" at the age of three. Despite being immersed in American suburban life and culture, as an adult he and his wife returned to Ireland to try and trace his birth mother.
Becky Milligan continues her series of reports about a former home for unmarried mothers in the West of Ireland and the work of an amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. Episode six, Becky finds out what life has been like for two of those born in the Tuam home.
Becky Milligan continues her series of reports about a former home for unmarried mothers in the West of Ireland and the work of an amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into mother and baby homes across Ireland. Episode six, Becky finds out what life has been like for two of those born in the Tuam home.
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam, in the West of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into the institutions. In this fifth episode Becky takes us inside the old home when it was up and running between 1925 and 1961 and hears from previous residents.
Becky Milligan continues her series about a former home for unmarried mothers in Tuam, in the West of Ireland, and the work of amateur historian Catherine Corless. Catherine's discoveries prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into the institutions. In this fifth episode Becky takes us inside the old home when it was up and running between 1925 and 1961 and hears from previous residents.
Becky Milligan continues her series of reports about a former mother and baby home for unmarried mothers in the town of Tuam in the west of Ireland. Amateur historian Catherine Corless is sometimes called the Erin Brockovich of Ireland. Her discovery of 800 babies buried in a mass grave in the grounds of that former home has prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into those institutions. In this episode, we hear about the excavation of the site.
Becky Milligan continues her series of reports about a former mother and baby home for unmarried mothers in the town of Tuam in the west of Ireland. Amateur historian Catherine Corless is sometimes called the Erin Brockovich of Ireland. Her discovery of 800 babies buried in a mass grave in the grounds of that former home has prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into those institutions. For Radio 4's PM programme, Becky tells her story.
This is a story about the work of an amateur historian Catherine Corless, who uncovered a mass grave of babies buried in the grounds of a former home for unmarried mothers in the town of Tuam, Ireland. Her discoveries prompted the Irish government to begin an investigation in the church-run institutions. In the second episode of The Home Babies for Radio 4's PM programme, Becky Milligan takes us back to the 1970s.
This is a story about the work of an amateur historian Catherine Corless, who uncovered a mass grave of babies buried in the grounds of a former home for unmarried mothers in the town of Tuam, Ireland. Her discoveries prompted the Irish government to begin an investigation in the church-run institutions. In the second episode of The Home Babies for Radio 4's PM programme, Becky Milligan takes us back to the 1970s.
Becky Milligan continues her series of reports about a former mother and baby home for unmarried mothers in the town of Tuam in the west of Ireland. Amateur historian Catherine Corless is sometimes called the Erin Brockovich of Ireland. Her discovery of 800 babies buried in a mass grave in the grounds of that former home has prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into those institutions. For Radio 4's PM programme, Becky tells her story.
Becky Milligan continues her series of reports about a former mother and baby home for unmarried mothers in the town of Tuam in the west of Ireland. Amateur historian Catherine Corless is sometimes called the Erin Brockovich of Ireland. Her discovery of 800 babies buried in a mass grave in the grounds of that former home has prompted the Irish Government to begin an investigation into those institutions. In this episode, we hear about the excavation of the site.
Catherine Corless is an amateur historian. She has been called the Erin Brockovich of Ireland, after uncovering the story of an unmarked grave of nearly 800 infants at a former institution for unmarried mothers. Her work prompted the Irish government to open an investigation into mother and baby homes. For Radio 4's PM programme reporter Becky Milligan has been hearing the story of one home, and the woman who found out the truth.
Catherine Corless is an amateur historian. She has been called the Erin Brockovich of Ireland, after uncovering the story of an unmarked grave of nearly 800 infants at a former institution for unmarried mothers. Her work prompted the Irish government to open an investigation into mother and baby homes. For Radio 4's PM programme reporter Becky Milligan has been hearing the story of one home, and the woman who found out the truth.
Becky Milligan looks back at the extraordinary life of South Africa's new president. From humble beginnings, he became a lawyer, established the country's most powerful trade union organisation and was a key player in negotiating the end of apartheid. After losing out at an earlier attempt to become president, he turned to business and rapidly became one of South Africa's richest men – while also attracting controversy over allegations about his role during the Marikana massacre of striking miners. As he takes power, what really makes him tick?