Fame Under Fire
Episodes
26/02/2026 - BBC Sounds
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your backstage pass when scandal collides with celebrity.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni head to court
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As Blake Lively and Justin Baldoini head to court together for meditation behind closed doors, we look at how this process works.Legally, both must tr...
The Epstein Files: Fact or Fiction?
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Social media has been rife with speculation about what is in the Epstein Files with stories of cannibalism, designer babies, and references to torture...
When It Hits the Fan x Fame Under Fire
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Reputations supposedly take years to build and seconds to destroy. But what if that's no longer the case? What if the normal rules about earning - and...
Jay Z and the Epstein files.
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The latest release from the Epstein files has once again thrown the spotlight on numerous famous names such as Bill Gates, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor ...
Tyler Perry to fight new sexual assault allegations
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hollywood film-maker Tyler Perry to fight new sexual assault allegations.
Liam Neeson, a voiceover gig and a viral backlash
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Liam Neeson appears as the narrator of a controversial film promoted as an investigation into pharmaceutical wrongdoing and Covid-era decision-making....
Brooklyn Beckham, Brand Beckham, and family fallout
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A very public and very personal fallout places the Beckham family under renewed attention after Brooklyn Peltz Beckham publishes a series of Instagram...
Will Smith accused of predatory behaviour
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Will Smith is accused of predatory behaviour by a violinist, Brian King Joseph, who played on Smith's 2024/25 tour to promote his latest album, "Based...
Brigitte Macron’s cyberbully speaks out
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A writer convicted of cyber-bullying the French president’s wife has told the Fame under Fire podcast he doesn’t regret it.Bertrand Scholler poste...
Happy New Year from Fame Under Fire
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka and the Fame Under Fire team would like to wish you a happy new year.We're back next week, but in the meantime, you can go back and catch up ...
Claims the Macrons paid for a hit on Candace Owens are “deranged”, says lawyer
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Macrons' lawyer has told the BBC that claims the French president and his wife ordered the assassination of Candace Owens are "deranged".The right...
Blake V Justin: Slow dancing, circumcision and famous pals
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Two major developments in the epic legal saga between former co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.Lively has responded to Baldoni’s attempt to b...
New Diddy documentary: allegations and unseen footage row
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have called the Netflix four-part series into his life “a shameful hit piece” that relied on “stolen foot...
Blake V Justin: Could the case be tossed out?
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Justin Baldoni has asked the judge to throw out Blake Lively’s lawsuit against him.The former co-stars have been locked in a bitter feud since she s...
Kim Kardashian Vs Ray J: Sex tape and defamation
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner are suing R&B singer Ray J for defamation over “racketeering” claims, which they have called blatantly false.Ra...
Trump, the BBC, and the $1bn threat
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why bring the case in Florida? Why $1bn, and how could the BBC defend itself from a defamation lawsuit?Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident tr...
Inside Rebel Wilson’s bombshell legal battle
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hollywood A-lister Rebel Wilson is embroiled in an explosive legal saga with the producers and lead actress of her directorial debut, The Deb. It invo...
What will Diddy’s life be like after prison?
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been told what conditions he must comply with when he is eventually released from jail.The rap mogul was convicted of two c...
Molly-Mae, Bambi and the ‘sharenting’ grey zone
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reality TV star Molly-Mae Hague has been getting some flak online for how much she shares about her two-year-old daughter. Clips from the Amazon Pri...
Playboy Bunnies and a sex dungeon: allegations against US trader
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Retired New York financier Howard Rubin has been charged with sex trafficking multiple women, including Playboy models.Prosecutors allege the women we...
Jason Derulo: Sexual allegations and goat sacrifice
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A singer who claims platinum-selling artist Jason Derulo sabotaged her career after she denied his sexual advances has refiled her lawsuit against him...
Diddy given more than four years in jail
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean "Diddy" Combs has been sentenced to more than four years in prison on prostitution charges.He was convicted of flying girlfriends and male sex wo...
Cassie Ventura: I still have Diddy nightmares
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cassie Ventura has said she is worried for her family’s safety ahead of Sean "Diddy" Combs sentencing this week."I am so scared that if he walks fre...
Candace Owens hits out at Macrons plus Diddy is "a good man"
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Candace Owens claims she is being “hounded” by the media to distract her from investigating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kir...
Brigitte Macron will present scientific evidence to prove she’s a woman
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are planning to present photographic and scientific evidence in their US lawsuit to prove Mrs Macron is a woma...
Priscilla denies claim she “pushed Elvis to his death”
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty examines the $50m lawsuit which calls Priscilla Presley “a pit viper willing to prey on her own family”. The case, b...
Taylor and Travis: What’s in a billion-dollar prenup?
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How could Taylor Swift protect her assets - and her cats?Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident attorney Shaun Kent consider what prenup between the ...
Blake V Justin: Sexual allegations and talking to the dead
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident attorney Shaun Kent unpack the months-long legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.Lively is suin...
‘Free Wendy’ ‘Free Britney’: The truth behind conservatorships
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s a guardianship? As media personality Wendy Williams fights hers, we ask criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent how guardianships, also known as...
Prince Andrew and Epstein - what's the latest?
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Duke of York ‘should face further investigation’. That’s according to author Andrew Lownie, who speaks to Anoushka about his biography of Pr...
Victim 3: 'Diddy should be freed'
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s former partner Gina Huynh speaks out to support him. She was ‘Victim 3’ in the indictment and supposed to take the stan...
Macron vs Candace Owens lawsuit
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and guests discuss an advertising campaign starring actress Sydney Sweeney for American Eagle which has prompted criticism ...
Kanye West’s ex-assistant 'has gone into hiding' after filing sexual assault claims
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and guests discuss the latest allegations against Kanye West from his former chief of staff. He denies all the claims from ...
Welcome to Fame Under Fire
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrities, athletes, politicians, influencers and even royalty can all land in the firing line.Why does it matter? Because we invest in them. We giv...
Anoushka’s got news...
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the end of Diddy on Trial, but the start of something new. Fame Under Fire is coming.
Investigating Diddy's secret world, plus verdict reaction
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is over. He has been cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering with conspiracy, and found guilty of transportati...
Diddy bail hearing gets heated
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is denied bail after being found guilty of transportation for prostitution. He was cleared of racketeering and sex trafficking ...
Breaking: Diddy verdict
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is found not guilty of racketeering, and not guilty of sex trafficking ex-partner Casandra Ventura and another woman re...
Jury reaches partial verdict
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The jury has reached a partial verdict during the second day of deliberations in Sean "Diddy" Combs's criminal trial. The jury has reached a verdict o...
Jury sent out to decide Diddy verdict
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The jury have been sent out in the trial after being instructed by the judge to consider each of the charges against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Just an h...
Defence says case against Diddy is ‘badly, badly exaggerated’
28 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo has told the jury in Diddy’s trial that prosecutors have ‘badly, badly exaggerated’ the c...
Prosecutor tells jury it is time for Diddy to face justice
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The lawyers for the prosecution have told the jury that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is the ‘leader of a criminal enterprise’ who used violence and fear...
Diddy thanks judge and says he won’t testify
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has told the judge that he will not testify in his trial.Diddy thanked Judge Subramanian and said he had made the decision hims...
Silence in court as jurors view explicit videos
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jurors have been watching explicit videos in court, with headphones on, as part of the prosecution’s final few days of evidence.They were also shown...
Diddy's former assistant Brendan Paul takes the stand
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brendan Paul, who worked for Diddy as his personal assistant for two years, gave evidence. He said he worked 80-100 hours a week and he learnt a lot f...
What’s going on with Diddy’s trial as judge cancels court day?
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty gets the latest on the case from BBC New York correspondent Nada Tawfik and expert analysis with criminal defence attorney ...
Judge reprimands lawyers after information leak
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Judge Subramanian has reprimanded prosecution and defence lawyers after confidential information was leaked. Sealed proceedings are not supposed to ev...
Juror sent home, plus texts shown between Diddy and Kristina Khorram
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s week six of Diddy’s trial and juror number six has been dismissed. Judge Subramanian said they had given inconsistent answers about their hom...
Kanye West surprise visit and judge considers dismissing juror
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rapper Kanye or Ye West paid a visit the courthouse today to support Diddy. He stayed for 40 minutes to watch proceedings.The judge is considering whe...
‘Jane’ tells court of sex night with different famous rapper
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The former partner of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has finished her fifth and final day of testimony at his trial. ‘Jane’, who is using a pseudonym to p...
‘Jane’ questioned about sex drugs and underwear she ordered for ‘hotel nights’
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Defence lawyer Teny Geragos continued her cross-examination of ‘Jane’ with more focus the messages between her and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. ‘Jane...
Diddy’s ex tells court she ‘enjoyed taking care of him’
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
During the first day of cross-examination by Diddy’s defence lawyer, ‘Jane’ said she enjoyed taking care of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. His former p...
Diddy’s ex: 'I wanted to stop having sex with other men'
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The former partner of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has testified about wanting to stop having sex with other men, and told the court about their arguments.‘...
Diddy’s former girlfriend “Jane” says he’s still paying her rent
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jane - a pseudonym to protect her identity - tells the court Diddy is still paying her rent, even though she is a witness for the prosecution. The ju...
Judge threatens to remove Diddy from courtroom
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The judge in the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has warned his lawyers that he may be removed from the courtroom, unless he stops trying to interact ...
Bryana 'Bana' Bongolan testifies about ‘balcony dangling’ by Diddy
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bryana ‘Bana’ Bongolan has testified about being held over a balcony by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2016. She also told the court about her regular ...
Security officer: Diddy ‘gave me $100,000’ after handing over Cassie video
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former hotel security officer Eddy Garcia has testified that he was given $100,000 after handing over CCTV video to Diddy, which showed the rapper att...
Hotel worker: Room needed ‘deep cleaning’ after Diddy stay
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The cross-examination of Diddy’s former assistant has ended, with the woman using the pseudonym ‘Mia’ being asked about positive social media po...
Australia’s ‘mushroom murder’ trial
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the case that's captured the attention of the world. Three people died and a fourth survived an induced coma after eating beef Wellington at a fa...
Diddy’s ex-assistant tells court she ‘hasn't lied to anyone at all’
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ former employee, who has given evidence under the pseudonym ‘Mia’, has been questioned by Diddy’s defence lawyer.In co...
Diddy’s former employee ‘Mia’ testifies that he raped her
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A former employee of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, testifying anonymously as ‘Mia’, alleges he sexually assaulted her ‘on more than one occasion’.Sh...
Cassie’s ex-stylist: We hid 'too many times to count' to stop Diddy 'attack'
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cassie Ventura’s former stylist has testified that he witnessed Sean 'Diddy' Combs being violent towards his ex-girlfriend.Deonte Nash told the cour...
Ex-employee says Diddy threatened to 'go kill' Kid Cudi
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A former employee has testified that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs threatened to 'go kill' Kid Cudi after finding out about the rapper’s relationship with ...
Kid Cudi: ‘Porsche destroyed by Molotov cocktail’
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rapper Kid Cudi has told the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs that his car was set on fire by a Molotov cocktail. He testified that it happened after D...
Expert witness, seized items and hotel clean ups
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A warning, this episode contains references to domestic abuse and drugs A Homeland Security agent gave further evidence on what was seized from Sean...
Cassie’s mum, ‘The Punisher’ and gun photos
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A warning, this episode contains descriptions of violence and graphic descriptions of sex.On Tuesday, Cassie’s mother Regina Ventura testified for t...
Diddy’s defence question ‘inconsistencies’ in Dawn Richard’s testimony
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Three witnesses are called by the prosecution, as week two of Diddy’s trial begins.A warning that this episode contains descriptions of violence.Dan...
Cassie: ‘I'd give back $20m settlement to undo freak-offs’
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lawyers for Sean 'Diddy' Combs have finished questioning Cassandra Ventura after asking her about text messages exchanged between the pair. The R&...
Cassie asked about explicit texts to Diddy
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Diddy’s defence team has tried to establish that the so-called ‘freak-offs’ - sexual encounters in which Cassie Ventura would have sex with male...
Cassie claims Diddy abused and blackmailed her
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cassie Ventura has claimed she was raped by Diddy at the end of her relationship with him.The singer also told a New York court that she endured abuse...
Singer Cassie testifies in Diddy’s trial
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The singer Cassie has been on the witness stand giving emotional and graphic testimony for most of the day. She is Diddy’s former partner and is tes...
Jurors in Diddy trial shown video of Cassie assault
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the first day of Diddy’s trial, jurors have watched a video showing him assaulting his former long-time partner, the singer Cassie. The prosecuti...
Diddy’s trial begins: What's it like at court?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The jury is finalised and opening statements are expected in day 1 of Diddy’s trial. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is in New York as the trial gets und...
The start of Diddy’s trial: What to expect
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is set to begin on Monday. He denies the charges of sex trafficking, racketeering with conspiracy and transportati...
Diddy’s defence: ‘He’s a swinger’, plus jury selection begins for trial
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lawyers for Sean 'Diddy' Combs preview his legal defence in his sex trafficking case, arguing that the rapper led the 'lifestyle' of a 'swinger' and w...
No delay for Diddy’s trial
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Judge tells Diddy’s team his trial will go ahead as planned, with opening statements set for 12 May. That’s despite his lawyers asking for a delay...
Diddy on trial: Everything you need to know
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is your quick round-up so you’re ready for the start of Diddy’s trial, which is set to start on 12 May. Since we launched this podcast in Nov...
Diddy hit with additional charges, plus why are Beyonce and LeBron mentioned in a lawsuit?
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the month before Diddy stands trial and the news keeps coming.Mr Combs is now facing new criminal charges of sex trafficking and prostitution, ...
Diddy’s defence want witnesses named - plus Buzbee and Andrew Tate
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s trial begins in May. What’s happening right now as the prosecution and defence prepare?Criminal defence attorney Shaun Ke...
Kristina Khorram speaks out and Tony Buzbee withdraws from Diddy cases
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s former chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, has made her first public statement since Diddy was arrested and charged.Meanwhile...
Elsewhere in the ‘Diddyverse’: Jay-Z, Buzbee and Kanye
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There is a lot going on in the ‘Diddyverse’ this week, from the ongoing row between Jay-Z and Tony Buzbee through to Kanye, or Ye, releasing a son...
Diddy in court says ‘not guilty’ to forced labour claims
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs appears in court for a pre-trial hearing. He pleads not guilty to forced labour charges which are part of an updated indictment...
Celebs named and lurid new claims in lawsuit; Diddy denies it all
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Celeb names have been added to one of the Diddy civil lawsuits in explicit allegations over 87 pages. It names celebrity co-defendants, new complainan...
Diddy accused of threatening employees and forcing one into sex act
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking news, as an updated superceding indictment is issued. An indictment is a formal document filed by the US government detailing all the crimes ...
Breaking: Jay-Z sues woman who alleged rape
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jay-Z files a lawsuit against the woman who accused him of rape and her lawyer Tony Buzbee, who said: "This case is baloney and has no legal merit".Pl...
Diddy lawyer quits plus outlandish necromancy claims
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s legal team say he’s been ‘singled out because of his race’ and ask for a charge to be dropped. Meanwhile one of his a...
Does hip-hop have a problem? Plus Diddy’s influence on the music industry
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does hip hop have a problem? Diddy denies the federal offences he’s accused of, but has previously apologised for physically assaulting Cassie Ventu...
What is sex trafficking?
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is sex trafficking?The rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is currently in a New York prison awaiting trial in May on charges of sex trafficking, trans...
BBC exclusive: ‘Women flown in for sex’
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs awaits trial on charges of kidnapping, drugging and sex trafficking women, industry insiders who knew him during his meteori...
Breaking: Prosecutors add more women to Diddy indictment
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emergency episode alert! Prosecutors in New York have expanded their case against Diddy, adding more women to the indictment against him.The BBC’s M...
Diddy’s $50m lawsuit - plus the very latest media claims
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Diddy fights back with a $50m lawsuit against accusers.Meanwhile new investigations by other media outlets publish more allegations, including from Di...
Diddy’s lawyers speak out about sex tapes
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers say video evidence from the prosecution shows he is innocent. They have been allowed to watch sex videos said to be ...
New Diddy documentary allegations
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty examines the claims made in the latest documentary about Sean 'Diddy' Combs, called ‘Making of a Bad Boy’ by Peacock. R...
What’s life like for Diddy in prison?
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s life like for Diddy in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in New York?He’s awaiting trial for federal charges of sex traffic...
The history of Diddy: What you need to know
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You asked for a special episode with all the background to the Sean “Diddy” Combs story, and here it is.From starting Bad Boy Records in 1993 and ...
What’s a Diddy party like?
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcaster Precious Muir used to be a model and worked for the Playboy Bunny brand. Parties were a big part of the job, and she tells Anoushka Mutand...
Jay-Z fights bombshell allegations
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s bombshell time. Rap superstar Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - has been dragged into the Diddy allegations. He’s been mentioned in a US civil...
Breaking: Jay Z denies civil suit allegation
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty assesses news of a bombshell allegation, as Jay-Z is now named as the previously anonymous ‘Celebrity A’ in a US civil ...
Woman claims Diddy ‘dangled her from a balcony'
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty examines the latest lawsuit filed against Diddy with criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent and Cheyenne Roundtree, who is se...