Behind the Headlines

Behind the Headlines - Tuesday 25th August 2026

Behind the Headlines - Monday 24th August 2026

The Premier League is back, and we’re taking you behind the hype ahead of Arsenal’s opening-night clash with newly promoted Coventry City. Plus, alarming new figures on drivers going the wrong way on motorways.And we hear calls for tougher laws on “smart” glasses.

Prince Harry and Meghan are set to move back to the UK. We hear what it could mean for relations with William, the King, and security arrangementsThe Prime Minister promises a crackdown on illegal waste and fly-tipping, with tougher penalties and a look at some of the worst sites in Bradford.Plus, Glasgow becomes Gotham as The Batman Part 2 films in the city

Wednesday 19th August, 2026: we have the latest from the latest deaths off the south coast of England; the Prime Minister's pledge to get rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas; the interim report in the train derailment at Lewes; one family's desperate measure to get a suitable home for their daughter - and we're at the start of the Tour of Britain Women and at the races with Queen Camilla. Kat Wright is your host.

We're being encouraged to learn how to help someone who is choking, as St John Ambulance says too many are dying because of a lack of knowledge or confidence to intervene.There's warnings about the number of children who are becoming fixated with violence.Highland Wildlife Park have welcomed back a monkey that escaped, and Glasgow's being transformed into Gotham City as filming for Batman begins again.

Thousands gather in Swansea to say their final goodbyes to legendary Welsh singer of Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler. Hear from campaigners calling for tougher laws on illegal e-bikes after a huge surge in police seizures of them. Plus, Scotland’s men’s team welcomes a new head coach.

We get the latest on the wildfires across England and Wales — with the Prime Minister calling in the military aAlso today Nigel Farage returns to Parliament after winning the Clacton by-electionPlus, line dancing’s TikTok comeback

Students across the UK have been getting exam results, with pass rates up. We hear the reactions from teenagers planning their next stepsWe also head to the West Midlands where police have created “grab bags” to help domestic abuse victims who flee with nothing.Plus: the partial solar eclipse - we are with people around the country

Wednesday 12th August, 2026: most significant solar eclipse until 2090; PM chairs emergency meeting about the heatwaves; the stats and impacts on children injured by eScooters; a couple of energy issues; and the row over drinking on the streets of London's West End. Kat Wright is your host.

We're asking if there's too many vape shops and betting venues on high streets, as councils are to give permission for new ones to open. Temperatures are heading for 38C so we've found out how chocolatiers are managing to keep products from melting.Plus, we’re at the scene of a major wildfire in the New Forest, where protected heathland and ancient trees have been damaged.And we’ve got everything you need to know about tomorrow’s partial solar eclipse.

In today's episode, we're looking at the ways that smart glasses are being used, for both visual impairment and discreet recording.We have audio of the moment a house in Buckinghamshire exploded, and have heard how Harry Potter fans have worked their magic to protect a Dobby memorial. We've also got details on the protests taking place after the culling of 51 cows, and how the Prime Minister will be touring the nation this summer.

Most 16 and 17-year-olds say they’d opt out of the government’s planned overnight social media curfew After a third night of unrest in Thetford, Norfolk, police continue patrols Plus, farmers warn the bluetongue outbreak is worsening in the hot weather, and we head to Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta

A 73-year-old farmer who shot dead his lodger and hid his body in concrete for six years has been jailed for life.We also meet a Telford police officer and his two teenage daughters, honoured for rescuing a man from the sea in Cornwall.Plus, the government’s plan for 150 new mental health centres, pressure on families facing rising school uniform costs, calls for Northern Ireland’s first safe refuge for male domestic abuse victims

Wednesday 5th August, 2026: reaction to increase in antisemitic incidents across the UK; Scotland's First minister's plea to missing Commonwealth Games athletes; we hear both sides of the argument as single-sex space laws change; and we're at the opening of the Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall.

Behind the Headlines - Tuesday 4th August 2026

Behind the Headlines - Monday 3rd August 2026

Behind The Headlines - Friday 31st July 2026

More than 250 families trusted a funeral director in Hull to lay their loved ones to rest. Instead, police say bodies were stockpiled, ashes were falsified, and charity money was stolen — a case officers described as “something from a horror scene”.Senior reporter Rebecca Quamby takes you inside the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors investigation, from the raid on Hessle Road to the arrest at Heathrow, and the discovery of deceased people and suspected human ashes.You’ll hear from parents and relatives left questioning whether they ever received the right remains, and from the community members holding monthly vigils for those affected.Robert Bush was charged with 64 offences involving 254 individual victims and has today been sentenced to 20 years behind bars.

Behind the Headlines - Thursday 30th July 2026

In today's episode, we delve into the case that's seen a fan of the TV serial killer Dexter sentenced for multiple murders. We discuss FIFA's plan to sell stakes in its major football competitions and we've investigated how bed blocking's now affecting homeless services. There's also an update on a fire in the Scottish Highlands, that's been burning for two weeks now. And hear from a young man who has gone viral for his moves while mopping the courts at the Commonwealth Games.

Behind the Headlines - Tues 28th July 2026

Behind The Headlines - Monday 27th July 2026

Step inside a Samaritans night shift in Leeds as the charity shares an exclusive look at the calls that come in after dark — and the volunteers who say they’re quietly saving lives Plus, a national crackdown on waste crime: illegal sites shut down, permits revoked, and criminal investigations launched as communities complain of stench and dust. We’re also in Glasgow as the Commonwealth Games begin and the first medals are won, before heading to Manchester for Andy Burnham’s new “Number 10 North”.

In this new documentary, Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle is given exclusive access to a night shift at Samaritans.The charity offers 24/7 support on its helpline and Mick meets volunteers clocking on at their Leeds branch, gearing up to answer the phone at a time most of us are in bed.720,000 people called 116 123 between the hours of 10pm and 6am last year, and Never Too Late hears about the life-saving work of the 19,000 volunteers working round-the-clock for Samaritans across the UK and Ireland.It also hears from Laura, who called Samaritans herself when she felt she had nowhere else to turn in the dead of night, while experiencing a mental health crisis.If you want to speak to a Samaritan, they can be reached on 116 123.Written, recorded and produced by Mick CoyleSound Design by James StoddAdditional interviews by Elliot Burrow.

Pubs and live music venues in England are promised a 20% cut in business rates from next April — one of three early announcements from Andy Burnham’s new government. We hear why ministers say it’ll protect “working-class culture”, and why critics and landlords warn it may be too little, too late.In Glasgow, the Commonwealth Games return after 12 years, with volunteers, flagbearers and a city stepping in at short notice.Plus film tourism for Nolan’s The Odyssey in Scotland

Wednesday 22nd July, 2026: we're on the buses with Andy Burnham's latest announcement; the sister of murdered MP Jo Cox talks to us about Ann Widdecombe; unpacking what happened when Chat GPT went rogue; we're on a farm in Tyrone for farm Safety Week and we're with fans celebrating Ozzy Osbourne - one year on from his death. Kat Wright is your host.

Behind the Headlines - Tuesday 21st July 2026

Behind the Headlines - Monday 20th July 2026

Summer holidays are underway across big parts of England and Wales, and we meet the youngsters taking on the “Phones Down” challengeWe also unpack a major political moment as Labour confirms its new leader, Andy BurnhamPlus, after the death of Anne Widdicombe, we’re on Dartmoor where concerns are growing about toxic politics

England are out of the World Cup after a heart breaking defeat to ArgentinaWildfires are burning through the CairngormsCalls grow for more newborn head measurements to spot brain conditions

Wednesday 15th July: we gear up to tonight's World Cup semi-final; we're also at the inquest of an England World Cup hero; Sir Keir Starmer's final PMQs as Prime Minister; building up to the Commonwealth Games and the Body Coach tells us how to keep kids active this summer holidays. Kat Wright is your host

Behind the Headlines - Tuesday 14th July 2026

Behind the Headlines - Monday 13th July 2026

A developing story leads today’s Behind the Headlines, as police in Devon arrest a man on suspicion of murdering former Conservative and Reform politician Anne WiddicombeIn Merseyside, a new summer operation targets drink drivers, with speeding motorists pulled over and breathalysed using new evidential technology outside Liverpool John Lennon Airport.Plus the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham

Record-breaking heat is back, and we’re out across the UK to see how people are coping.We also bring you tributes after the death of Welsh singer Bonnie TylerAnd a first look at a Sir David Attenborough maize maze in York.

Wednesday 8th July, 2026: we're in Clacton with the latest political response to a by-election there; ways to stay safe and cool in the heat; some shocking stats from the RAC on speeding motorists; we catch up with firefighters who've been helping in earthquake-hit Venezuela; and we have the ssssssstory of the esssscaped snakes. Kat Wright is your host.

Behind the Headlines - Tuesday 7th July 2026

Behind the Headlines - Monday 6th July 2026

A year on from the tragic deaths of Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother, we’re at Anfield where a permanent memorial has been unveiled.Plus, as British Grand Prix weekend begins, we visit the Milton Keynes karting track where F1 newcomer Arvid Lindblad first raced.And we look at the impact of NHS opt-out HIV testing in A&E.

We hear a gripping preview of our “Deep Faked” investigationIt’s also all about big sporting summer nights: England’s late win over DR Congo, the 1am kick-off against Mexico, and why tired fans could be more vulnerable to impulse spending as advertisers target screens and billboards at the same time.Plus an Olympic rowing champion on the unique magic of Henley Regatta

Wednesday 1st July, 2026: energy prices rise again; the latest on the fallout from the Henry Nowak murder; we're at the scene of a light aircraft crash; we quiz people on road signs as the Theory Test marks 30 years; and we speak to the star of the Legally Blonde series, Elle. Kat Wright is your host

Behind the Headlines - Tuesday 30th June 2026

Behind the Headlines - Monday 29th June 2026

A van driver in Kent becomes an unlikely hero after pulling over to help armed police chase down a suspect — we hear how it unfolded, moment by moment.As June temperature records fall again, we visit a Doncaster chippy to see how staff are coping behind the fryers Also the jam-first vs cream-first debate for National Cream Tea Day.

Another day, another record-breaking June temperature — and we hear how people across the UK are coping.Plus, a train and car crash near Preston leaves one person dead and a child in a critical condition.We also cover Rachel Reeves launching the Great British Summer Savings Scheme

Wednesday 24th June, 2026: how the UK's coping with record-breaking June heat; a damning review into maternity services in Nottingham; a development in the grooming gangs inquiry; other health investigations in Northern Ireland and Scotland; and we preview the game of Scotland's lives. Kat Wright is your host

Behind The Headlines - Tuesday 23rd June 2026

Behind the Headlines - Mon 22nd June 2026

In today's episode we look at Andy Burnham's Makerfield by-election and what it means for British politics. We also have reax to two other by-elections in Scotland and have the latest on an investigation into a suspected crocodile attack.