What if one of the most famous musicians in the world died in the 1960s and the public never realised? For decades a corner of the conspirasphere has insisted that Paul McCartney didn’t survive the height of The Beatles. According to the story he died in a car crash in 1966 and was quietly replaced by a look-alike. A man some believers claim was called Billy Shears. It sounds ridiculous. And yet the theory has refused to die. 

In this brand new 14 part Deep Dive we take the most detailed modern version of the claim, Billy’s Back, an abridged version of The Memoirs of Billy Shears, and use it as a springboard to investigate the whole thing properly. 

We go through the claims piece by piece. The supposed clues in album artwork, lyrics and interviews. The timeline the theory relies on. The people who helped spread it in the first place. And some of the modern voices in the conspirasphere who still promote it today. 

Along the way we also dig into where the story actually came from and how a rumour from the late 60s managed to evolve into a fully fledged conspiracy theory that still circulates today.

Webpage for photos referenced in the series > https://www.somedarecallitconspiracy.com/paul-is-dead

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Some Dare Call It Conspiracy is an award-winning podcast that examines conspiracy theories, misinformation, and moral panics — not from the outside, but from the inside.

The show is co-created and hosted by Brent Lee and Neil Sanders, both former insiders in the conspiracy world who spent years immersed in conspiracy belief, alternative media, and grassroots activism before walking away. Their experience gives them first-hand insight into how conspiracy narratives are built, why they feel so convincing, and why leaving those communities can be difficult.

Drawing on lived experience, deep research, and expert interviews — alongside a distinctly British sense of humour — the podcast breaks down conspiracy culture with clarity and bite. Episodes vary in format, but all focus on who benefits when misinformation spreads, how harm is done, and how bad ideas gain influence.

The result is a show that is sceptical without being smug, serious about real-world consequences without losing its edge, and unafraid to call out grift and power where it thrives.

Join us to discover where the truth… lies.

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