Blethered

Here’s an introduction to Hayley, if you’re not familiar with her, as she has quite the profile.

• Model

• Miss Scotland Finalist

• Niece of Rangers legend Ally McCoist

• Love interest of various Scottish Premier League Footballers

• One time Girlfriend of Leicester City and England footballer Jamie Vardy

• Friend of the rich and famous

Oh, and one more detail. She never existed.

I’m joined by Gabrielle Livingstone as we dig into the bizarre and unbelievable existence of the girl that never was. You’ll hear me tell the story of how I crossed paths online with Hayley, what went on in her imaginary world, and how it all began to unravel.

Contact: [email protected]

Labour Councillor Audrey Dempsey has been accused of racism and suspended this week, after she proposed to ask a question at the council about 'racist attacks on white children in schools'.

In this exclusive interview, Audrey announces her resignation from the Labour Party.

And:

• Her explanation of why she was asking the question
• 'Liking' tweets from far-right party
• Future in politic
• + More

Senior Producer: Lucy Johnston

Blethered at the Ballot is a political podcast that pulls no punches, brings a laugh or two, and cuts straight through to the important matters without getting caught up in political jargon and meaningless soundbites. 

The General Election is fast approaching and before we collectively decide who to put in power, we deserve to know the thoughts of those who currently have it, those who want it, and those who are near it.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane has been a Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Glasgow since 2021, he’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, and he’s a practising NHS GP. He holds the distinction of being the first Hindu and first man of Indian descent to be elected to the Scottish Parliament.

Now campaigning to be elected to Westminster as an MP, Sandesh has been been chosen as the Conservative candidate for East Renfrewshire – a seat currently held by the SNP’s Kirsten Oswald. 

This is our conversation about the friendliness of Glaswegians, how he ended up in Scottish politics, my questions and observations about the Conservatives record after fourteen years in government, Douglas Ross’ leadership, and his hopes for the election.

Senior Producer: Lucy Johnston

Contact: [email protected]

Phil and Martin Compston are back on the BBC with Martin Compston’s Norwegian Fling, their second series together, where they travel across Norway and experience some of what the country has to offer.

In this episode, you’ll hear Phil talk to me about how going to Gaelic school set him on an interesting and unique career path...

I find out how an innocuous conversation led to the commissioning of the programme, and what the experience was like…

And Phil talks about working alongside Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond in the run up to the 2014 independence referendum, starting his own thriving PR company, and a bizarre period where he coached Vladimir Romanov. That’s Vladimir Romanov, the enigmatic and volatile former owner of Hearts football club, as he competed in the Lithuanian version of Strictly Come Dancing. Stay tuned for a genuinely world exclusive revelation on that one...

And as always, there's plenty more.

Contact: [email protected]