In the 1980s, a British mother of 2 became the UK's first commercial surrogate. But what started out as an act of kindness, made headlines around the world.

In her first podcast interview, Kim Cotton talks about her life as a once controversial figure, who has helped 1147 couples have babies via surrogacy.

This is REAL LIVES.

To support the show, you can join my Patreon here, thank you:

https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yve Gibney thought she had it all, a successful career, thriving children and a husband she adored.

But almost two decades into her marriage, her husband said something that made her question everything. So she started to investigate him and what she discovered would turn her world upside down.

This is REAL LIVES.

If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here, thank you:

https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcast

To buy Yve's books, please see here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Yve-Gibney/author/B08ZSYGSPJ?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

f you need help or support with domestic abuse please get in touch with the following organisations:

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UK

https://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victims

https://safelives.org.uk/ - UK

https://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Ireland

https://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for men

https://sdvs.ie/ - Ireland

https://www.mensaid.ie/ - Ireland for men

https://www.lifewire.org/ - USA

https://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for men

https://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australia

https://mensline.org.au/family-violence/ - Australia

Addiction services:

https://www.turning-point.co.uk/find-a-local-service - UK

https://www.asam.org/ - USA

https://www.turningpoint.org.au/ - Australia

https://info.health.nz/mental-health/alcohol-and-drug-services - New Zealand

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March 1996, a man entered the Dunblane primary school in Scotland and murdered 16 primary school children and their teacher who was trying to protect them.

This tragedy is mourned and remembered by millions across the UK and beyond, no more so than those from the local community. Amy Rose was a pupil at the school the day the unthinkable happened, and she is here to share how this tragedy impacted her community, her family and her life.

This is REAL LIVES.

If you'd like to support the show, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/REALtruecrimepodcast

To buy Amy's book - Emotionally Unstable Mumma: From Broken to Blessed: A Survivor's Story of Dunblane, Trauma and Healing please visit:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emotionally-Unstable-Mumma-Survivors-Dunblane-ebook/dp/B0FFJWNNJG

For help and support with domestic violence, here are some organisations and support services that can help you:

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ - UK

https://mankind.org.uk/ - Support for male victims

https://safelives.org.uk/ - UK

https://www.victimsupportni.com/help-for-victims/domestic-violence/ - Northern Ireland

https://mapni.co.uk/ - Northern Ireland for men

https://sdvs.ie/ - Ireland

https://www.mensaid.ie/ - Ireland for men

https://www.lifewire.org/ - USA

https://www.thehotline.org/resources/men-can-be-victims-of-abuse-too/ - USA for men

https://www.rizeup.com.au/ - Australia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting weekly from the 6th of October 2025....

From Naomi Channell, TV producer, journalist, and host of the hit true crime podcast REAL, comes a brand-new series that proves the most extraordinary stories aren’t always about crime… they’re about life.

In REAL LIVES, Naomi sits down with people whose experiences are stranger, wilder, and more moving than fiction. From a victim of a bigamist to a Dunblane survivor, the UK’s first commercial surrogate to a woman jilted at the altar, and even a death doula who helps people face the end of their lives — these are stories of resilience, heartbreak, survival, and reinvention.

Twisting, gripping, and deeply human, REAL LIVES invites you into the moments that changed everything. These aren’t just stories. They’re real lives.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.