Épisodes

  • The God complex: Part 1
    Jan 20 2026

    When an esteemed transplant surgeon is found to have sexually harassed a number of his female colleagues — sometimes in the middle of operations — the General Medical Council recommends that he be struck off the medical register. But that is not what happens.

    Rachel Sylvester discovers that the case of James Gilbert, isn't a shocking one-off. In fact, it is symptomatic of a much wider problem in surgery.


    Reporter: Rachel Sylvester


    Producer: Gary Marshall


    Artwork: Lola Williams


    Sound Design: Dominic Delargy


    Editor: Jasper Corbett


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    39 min
  • Introducing the new host of the Slow Newscast
    Jan 16 2026

    From next week, our Investigations Editor Alexi Mostrous – the man behind Sweet Bobby, Who Trolled Amber and Elon’s Spies – will take over as the new host of the Slow Newscast, and he wants to hear from you.


    If there are particular types of stories you’d like us to cover more often, or if you have thoughts on what we do well, or could do better, please let us know.


    You can email us on studios@observer.co.uk

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    2 min
  • The Walkers: The real Salt Path
    Jan 13 2026

    In a small town in north Wales, an alleged theft at a local estate agents plants the seeds for a global blockbuster. To listen to episode two, just search for Tortoise Investigates wherever you get your podcasts.


    Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to the entire series on Tuesday 13th January.


    To find out more about The Observer:


    Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content


    Head to our website observer.co.uk


    Credits:


    Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou

    Additional reporting - James Urquhart

    Producer - Matt Russell

    Music supervision & sound design - Karla Patella

    Artwork - Lola Williams

    Executive Producer - Jasper Corbett

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    42 min
  • Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene: The MAGA divorce
    Jan 6 2026

    Donald Trump is facing an unexpected fallout as one of his most loyal supporters has resigned from Congress and turned against him. With divisions widening after the attack on Venezuela, is there a split in the broader MAGA movement?


    Reporter: Stephen Armstrong


    Producers: Madeleine Parr and Jonathan Lewis


    Artwork: Lucy Stevenson


    Editor: Matt Russell

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

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    45 min
  • Sycamore Gap: felling of a tree
    Dec 30 2025
    One of the stories in 2025 that seemed to capture the British public's attention was the trial for the men accused of cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree. In this audio essay, Andrew Hankinson explores who those men are...and what might have motivated them.

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

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    30 min
  • A reckoning at the Guildhall School of Music
    Dec 23 2025

    Like many public institutions across the UK, the Guildhall school of music has had to reckon with a past where abuse by staff was either ignored or dismissed. So when a second former student came forward to tell The Observer's Vanessa Thorpe their story, this time from the 1990s, how would the institution respond?


    Reporter: Vanessa Thorpe

    Producer: Ada Barumé

    Artwork: Lola Williams

    Editor: Jasper Corbett

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    31 min
  • Archive: Beastly: The stories of David Walliams
    Dec 22 2025

    David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher over alleged ‘inappropriate’ behaviour.


    A spokesperson for Walliams said that the author had never been informed of any allegations raised against him nor was he given the opportunity to respond to questions about them. He strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately.


    Walliams came to prominence starring alongside Matt Lucas in the TV series Little Britain which ran from 2003 - 2006. Critics though accused the comedy show of trading in stereotypes and casual racism. And some of that is evident in Walliam’s children’s books too.


    This episode was first published on 23rd May 2023.


    Reporter: Claudia Williams

    Producer: Matt Russell

    Sound design: Tom Burchell

    Editor: Basia Cummings

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    43 min
  • Killing time: Part 2
    Dec 18 2025

    In October reporter Hilary Andersson was selected to witness an execution by lethal injection in Oklahoma. Her assignment led her to the case of Tremane Wood, who had spent more than two decades on death row. This is the story of what happens to a man as he waits to die.


    Reporter: Hilary Andersson


    Producer: Jonathan Lewis


    Artwork: Lola Williams


    Sound Design: Dominic Delargy


    Editor: Jasper Corbett


    Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:


    Our podcasts before anyone else

    A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week

    Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword

    Recipes for every occasion

    Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

    Click here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month.


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

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

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    33 min