Victoria Derbyshire's Unbelievable Britain

Sherry Lever, widely recognised as the UK’s oldest professional dominatrix. At 74, Sherry (known professionally as Mistress Sofia) shares the incredible story of how a "wallflower" who once struggled to pay the mortgage transformed into an empowered leader in the world of BDSM. In this episode, we explore: The Transition: How Sherry went from a phone chat operator to running a professional "playroom" from her conservatory. The Psychology of Kink: Why high-powered professionals from judges to surgeons seek out submission, and how Sherry views her role as a form of "unorthodox therapy." Family Ties: The surprising story of how Sherry’s own daughter became her "driving force" and now works alongside her. Debunking Myths: Sherry explains the difference between being a dominatrix and an escort, and why consent and "safe words" (like Sherry's favorite: "Jamaica") are the foundation of everything she does. Empowerment at 70+: A powerful message on independence, finding your voice after three difficult marriages, and why Sherry has no plans to retire.Whether you're curious about the BDSM community or looking for an inspiring story of personal reinvention, Sherry’s journey is truly unbelievable. 🔔 Subscribe to Victoria Derbyshire's Unbelievable Britain for more extraordinary stories told by the people who lived them. #VictoriaDerbyshire #UnbelievableBritain #BDSM #SherryLever #Documentary #Empowerment #humanstories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I promised Gina that I’d try every single day to make maternity care safer." We are joined by Donna Ockenden, the midwife and investigator behind some of the most significant maternity reviews in NHS history. Donna opens up about a childhood marked by poverty, instability, and a harrowing period of abuse at the hands of her grandfather. She shares how these formative experiences of responsibility and survival eventually led her to a 40-year career in nursing and midwifery—a journey fueled by a quiet but fierce determination to protect the vulnerable. Donna also recounts the heartbreaking story of baby Gina, a moment that changed her life forever and became the foundation for her "Gina Promise": a lifelong commitment to ensuring no family has to suffer avoidable harm. In this video: A Childhood of Resilience: Growing up in poverty in South Wales and surviving trauma. The "Moonlight Flit": Being uprooted to Ireland and having her identity changed as a teenager. The Gina Promise: The tragic loss that defined Donna’s mission to make maternity care safer. Reshaping the NHS: Insights into the Shrewsbury, Telford, and Nottingham maternity reviews. A Message to Mothers: Why "speaking out and speaking up" is vital for safer births today. Donna’s story is a powerful testament to how personal pain can be transformed into a professional crusade for justice and safety. What did you take away from Donna’s journey? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below. 🔔 Subscribe to Victoria Derbyshire's Unbelievable Britain for more extraordinary stories told by the people who lived them. #VictoriaDerbyshire #DonnaOckenden #MaternityCare #NHS #Resilience #HumanStories #UnbelievableBritain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the most unbelievable lesson life has taught you? In this special episode of Life Lessons from Unbelievable Britain, Victoria Derbyshire meets people whose lives have been shaped by identity, illness, resilience, and reinvention. Inside this episode: Gamal “G” Turawa - A former police officer navigating identity, race, and sexuality, and what it means to truly become yourself. FULL EPISODE: https://youtu.be/ch6sflkeIWI Paul Cooper - From everyday life to unexpected success in acting later in life, proving it’s never too late to change direction. FULL EPISODE: https://youtu.be/9zYNQYUqgdA Kate Allatt - A devastating illness left her unable to move or speak, fully aware but trapped inside her own body. FULL EPISODE: https://youtu.be/mkLJH3CF6q8 Emma Sayle - Challenging societal norms around sex, power, and control, and creating a world without shame or judgement. FULL EPISODE: https://youtu.be/uQI4ZujCshI These aren’t just stories, they are lessons in persistence, identity, and what it means to keep going when life doesn’t go to plan. Unbelievable Britain brings you the most remarkable personal stories from across the UK. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week: #UnbelievableBritain #VictoriaDerbyshire #RealStories #LifeLessons #Resilience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A masterclass in "unlearning" and finding the courage to finally be yourself. G, Turawa, previously known as Gamal, has a life story worthy of a novel. From a happy childhood in Kent to being tricked into exile in Nigeria, and eventually becoming the Met Police’s first openly gay Black officer. G opens up about the "unbelievable" reality of life inside the force: the institutional racism, the trauma of hiding his true identity, and the shocking moment he let colleagues paint his face white just to fit in. This is a raw story of survival, the breaking point that led to a suicide attempt, and his ultimate triumph as a BAFTA winner. "It took years of vomiting up the filth I’d been taught about myself before I felt I had a right to be here." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when life pushes you to the absolute breaking point? In this special episode of Life Lesson's from Unbelievable Britain's - Victoria Derbyshire meets four people who survived the unimaginable, from a secretive British cult to a Taliban kidnapping. Inside this episode: Ryan Stevens: The daily reality of living with severe Tourette’s when your body isn't your own. Luke Dyson: How a life of chaos and anger was transformed through the discipline of the ring. Sean Langan: A frontline journalist on what it’s actually like to be held captive by the Taliban. Katy Morgan-Davies: An incredible escape after 30 years inside one of Britain’s most secretive cults. These aren't just stories of survival; they are lessons in what truly matters when everything else is stripped away. Unbelievable Britain brings you the most remarkable personal stories from across the UK. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week: #UnbelievableBritain #VictoriaDerbyshire #RealStories #resilience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices