Prince Harry's PR Comeback

Prince Harry's PR Comeback

Author: BBC Radio 4 September 17, 2025 Duration: 38:20

It was only a few months ago that Prince Harry was being roundly criticised pretty much everywhere. An ill-judged and hot-headed BBC interview where he discussed the King's health did him few favours. And yet, this week, there has been a shift.

In this week's episode, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss whether this is a genuine turning point for Harry's PR.

Also, in the extended edition on BBC Sounds, they'll explain why it might not all be over for the master of spin, Peter Mandelson. He may have been sacked and his reputation might be in ruins - but don't assume that means there aren't still plenty of people who'd like a quiet word with the 'Prince of Darkness' of PR.

And speaking of reputations being in the sewer, David and Simon will be talking about an actual one. The Tideway tunnel to be precise. What's surprising is that it's a £5bn infrastructure project that has come in pretty much on time and on budget - and yet, you probably haven't heard of it. Just why is it so much harder to get PR for good news compared to bad?

Producer: Duncan Middleton Editor: Sarah Teasdale Executive Producer: Eve Streeter Music by Eclectic Sounds A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

When It Hits the Fan
Podcast Episodes
Quick Wins: How to break unwelcome news [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:05
Quick Wins is a series of mini episodes from the When It Hits the Fan team to steer you through your own personal PR in your working life.In this episode, David and Simon answer listener Joe's question about how to deliv…
Trump shooting, Biden and loser PR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:21
David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss an extraordinary and terrifying weekend of political drama in the US, with the attempted assassination of Donald Trump crowding out calls for Joe Biden to quit the presidential race.…
Can Keir kill spin? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:33
Just days after Sir Keir Starmer entered Downing Street, David Yelland and Simon Lewis take a special deep dive into what may prove to be a great communications reset at No 10 under the new Prime Minister, with greater t…
When It Hits The Fan x The Today Podcast x Newscast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:08
Three podcasts, one question: How influential is the media on the election?Newscast, The Today Podcast and When It Hits The Fan are coming together for a special election episode. Hosts from all three podcasts will discu…

«1...678910