When It Hits the Fan

When It Hits the Fan

Author: BBC Radio 4 Language: English Episodes: 100
Tune in to When It Hits the Fan for a masterclass in reputation management, hosted by two insiders who have lived through the pressure of the headlines. David Yelland, former editor of The Sun, and communications expert Simon Lewis, bring their unparalleled experience to this BBC Radio 4 podcast. Each week, they dissect the most spectacular public relations meltdowns making news, offering a rare glimpse into the frantic world of crisis managers and spin doctors. You’ll hear them trace the origins of a scandal, pinpointing the exact moment strategies began to unravel and public perception shifted. This isn't just commentary; it's a forensic breakdown of how modern media storms are weathered or worsened by those in charge. The analysis is grounded in real-world stakes, exploring the political and personal consequences of every misstep and recovery attempt. For anyone fascinated by the intersection of media, power, and human error, this podcast provides an essential and gripping narrative. Listening feels like being in the room for a candid, post-mortem between two veterans who understand the game better than most. Their conversations reveal the mechanics behind the news cycle, making sense of how stories explode and what happens when control is lost.
Episodes
Telling the truth, being on TV and the best PR comebacks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:22
In this special episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis let When It Hits the Fan listeners set the agenda and answer questions sent in to the Fan postbag.They discuss the truth - when to tell it, and when to hide it. If f…
Inside prestige PR, Starbucks and a cheese heist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:40
David Yelland and Simon Lewis lift the lid on the rarely talked about world of establishment PR and the great battle for influence happening behind the scenes in modern Britain. It’s why Peter Mandelson, William Hague an…
Could PR have helped Liam Payne?, Thomas Tuchel and the Trump biopic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:40
In the wake of the death of the One Direction star Liam Payne, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the role of protection in PR. Advisers are often the first people to know about a problem, and the first to try to fix…
Kamala Harris, Man City v the Premier League and LinkedIn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:29
David and Simon discuss Kamala Harris’s interview on the hit US podcast Call Her Daddy. What can British politicians and business leaders learn about the power of being three-dimensional and opening up?Also, it’s a game…
Why Keir needs Bikeshed PR, Strictly’s tabloid battle and Undo Send! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:16
Why does Keir Starmer need to start taking people behind the Number 10 bikesheds and having a quiet word? David Yelland and Simon Lewis explain 'bikeshed PR' and how to move a news story on. Also, knowing when to step ba…
Ozempic, Phillip Schofield and PR on screen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:30
Is there such a thing as too much good PR? It seems everyone is talking about the weight-loss drug Ozempic - David Yelland and Simon Lewis look at why might this be causing jitters in the company boardroom.Also, Phillip…
Al Fayed revelations, and the Murdoch succession battle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:03
Following the BBC investigation into Mohamed Al Fayed, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the circle of reputational protection that existed around the former Harrods boss and allowed him to commit serial sexual abuse…
BBC in crisis, laughing at Trump and the elephant in the room [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:24
David and Simon discuss Huw Edwards, Strictly Come Dancing and the BBC in crisis. How is the corporation dealing with being in the news for all the wrong reasons? Plus, “They’re eating the dogs, they're eating the cats”…
Kate’s video and Labour PR in power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:33
David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the Princess of Wales’ unprecedented video announcing the end of her chemotherapy treatment. There has been nothing like it in the history of the Royal Family's communications and it…
Quick Wins: How to Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:56
David and Simon share their advice on how to lead