Our interest in Lord Lucan could have petered out after the inquest. But people start to spot him all over the world. Could he really have escaped the UK?

Alex von Tunzelmann explores what role this idea plays in our fixation with the Lucan case.

She hears how the media kept the story going, inventing sightings for copy and jollies abroad. People admit to elaborate hoaxes and blatantly fabricating stories.

But should we dismiss the idea? Alex finds one story from a closed police file that completely bowls her over.

Producer: Sarah Bowen