A manhunt grips the nation. A celebrity stumbles into the madness. This is Britain at its most bizarre.

In July 2010, Raoul Moat launched a violent spree that left one man dead, a woman gravely injured, and a police officer blinded—triggering one of the largest manhunts in modern British history. But just when the standoff reached its peak, a surreal twist emerged: Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne arrived at the police cordon with chicken, lager, and a fishing rod—claiming he could "save his mate."

In this episode of Peculiar Britain, we unpack the chaos: Moat's descent into violence, the public's troubling response, and how a fallen football icon became an unexpected—and tragic—side show. Celebrity, crime, and crisis collide in this uniquely British story of media, madness, and myth.

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On August 19th, 1987, the tranquil market town of Hungerford became the setting for one of the deadliest mass shootings in British history. 

In this gripping episode of Peculiar Britain, we explore the harrowing journey of Michael Ryan—from his troubled psyche and deadly arsenal to the town-wide rampage that claimed 16 innocent lives. We'll unravel the timeline of the massacre, the flawed police response, and the seismic shift in UK gun legislation that followed. 

How did this sleepy town become a symbol of tragedy and reform? Join us as we delve into the chilling legacy of the Hungerford Massacre.

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A Coventry schoolgirl vanished into thin air in 1972—only to be found alive decades later, rewriting the rules of Britain’s cold case mysteries.

In the gritty heart of 1972 Coventry, 16-year-old Sheila Fox stepped out of her terraced home on Gulson Road and into a void that would haunt West Midlands Police for over half a century. Her disappearance, shrouded in whispers of runaway romances and fleeting sightings, became one of Britain’s most enduring mysteries. Fast-forward to January 2025, when a grainy photograph cracked open the case, revealing a truth stranger than fiction: Sheila was alive, living quietly under a new name in Watford. Peculiar Britain delves into this eerie tale of estrangement, rediscovery, and the ghostly gaps between official records and lived reality, uncovering a story that chills as much as it captivates.

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You think you know darkness? 

Think again. Peter Tobin wasn't just a killer; he was a creeping shadow, a master of deception, and a predator whose depravity knew no bounds. His confirmed victims – Angelika Kluk, Vicky Hamilton, and Dinah McNicol – suffered fates that will haunt your nightmares. But the true horror lies in the chilling suspicion that these are just the tip of the iceberg.

We're dragging you down into the filth and the fear. We'll dissect Tobin's twisted psyche, his manipulative charm that masked a sadistic heart. We'll trace his sinister trail across the UK, the web of lies he spun, and the lives he extinguished. And we'll confront the grim reality of Operation Anagram, the investigation that sought to unearth the full extent of his evil – and the cold cases that still linger in the shadows.

This isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking about a calculated predator, a legacy of unimaginable cruelty, and the sickening truth that monsters walk among us, hiding in plain sight. If you dare to confront the abyss, if you're brave enough to face the true face of evil, then step into the Tobin nightmare.

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In the heart of Fulham, a mystery lingers, cast by Mr. Kipper's shadow.

July 1986: London. A young estate agent, Suzy Lamplugh, meets "Mr. Kipper" and vanishes. What began as a routine appointment spiralled into one of Britain's most baffling and disturbing missing person cases.

"Mr. Kipper's Shadow" pulls back the curtain on this chilling mystery. We dissect the elusive Mr. Kipper, the crime scene oddities (champagne, anyone?), and the decades-long hunt for answers. From conflicting sightings to the prime suspect who walked free, we trace the long shadow of a case that exposed the dark side of a city and changed personal safety forever.

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 In Peculiar Justice: Britain’s Final Executioners, we journey through the haunting final days of capital punishment in the UK. From wrongful hangings and crimes of passion to political reform and public outrage, we trace how cases like Derek Bentley, Ruth Ellis, and Timothy Evans ignited a national reckoning. This podcast brings together chilling courtroom drama, shifting moral codes, and relentless activism to uncover how Britain transitioned from the noose to human rights. A must-listen for history lovers, legal minds, and anyone curious about how a nation outgrew its darkest punishments. 

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House of Horrors – Fred & Rose West

In this chilling episode of Peculiar Britain, we descend into the dark and depraved world of Fred and Rose West — the seemingly ordinary couple who orchestrated some of the most horrific serial murders in British history.

 Operating from their home at 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester, the Wests committed unspeakable acts of rape, torture, and murder against young women, including members of their own family. We explore their troubled upbringings, the timeline of their crimes, how the truth finally came to light, and the haunting legacy they left behind. This isn’t just true crime — it’s the story of how evil lived next door.

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One girl. One country lane. No answers for over 40 years.

On a quiet summer afternoon in 1978, 13-year-old Genette Tate vanished while delivering newspapers in the peaceful village of Aylesbeare, Devon. Her bike was found abandoned, the newspapers scattered—but she was never seen again. 

This episode explores one of Britain’s most haunting and enduring mysteries. From the massive search effort and early suspects to the shadow of serial killer Robert Black, we trace the twists and turns of the investigation that captivated a nation and devastated a family. Was Genette the victim of a tragic coincidence—or a predator hiding in plain sight?

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From the Avon’s murky depths to the city’s colourful culture – a creature of myth or mischief?

In this episode of Peculiar Britain, we dive deep into the curious case of the Bristol Crocodile – a modern urban legend that’s been swimming through local folklore since 2014. From a bus driver’s bizarre sighting to sculptures, social media accounts, and unofficial warning signs, this story blends humour, hysteria, and hometown pride. We unpack the origins, the (dubious) evidence, official silence, and the vibrant cultural life the legend has inspired. Is there really a reptile lurking in the harbour waters, or is this just Bristol’s wildest in-joke?

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Unearthing the Secrets of a Town's Forgotten Collapse

In "Echoes Beneath," we delve deep into the shocking 1967 ground collapse in Frindsbury that took Jean Thompson's life, leaving behind unanswered questions and a community forever changed. 

Join us as we uncover hidden histories, explore geological mysteries, and examine the tragic events that still resonate today.

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