

Fame Under Fire
BBC Sounds
Celebrities, athletes, politicians, influencers and even royalty can all land in the firing line.Why does it matter? Because we invest in them.We give them space in our homes, our budgets, our feeds, and sometimes, our hearts.
We put them on pedestals. So when they fall, we want the truth.
But in an age of AI-generated "evidence", misinformation, and unqualified newsfluencers, separating fact from fiction is a full-time job.
Hot on the heels of covering the Diddy trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is up for the challenge.
Each week on Fame Under Fire, she'll take a detailed look at the topics dominating the headlines. With the help of expert guests, she'll myth bust, debunk, pre-bunk, fact check and get to the truth behind the timeline.
Got questions? We've got answers.
Message us at 0330 123 555 1.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We'll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
We put them on pedestals. So when they fall, we want the truth.
But in an age of AI-generated "evidence", misinformation, and unqualified newsfluencers, separating fact from fiction is a full-time job.
Hot on the heels of covering the Diddy trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is up for the challenge.
Each week on Fame Under Fire, she'll take a detailed look at the topics dominating the headlines. With the help of expert guests, she'll myth bust, debunk, pre-bunk, fact check and get to the truth behind the timeline.
Got questions? We've got answers.
Message us at 0330 123 555 1.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We'll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 11, 2025 • 30min
Blake V Justin: Slow dancing, circumcision and famous pals
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 block the case from going to trial, arguing that a jury should decide.And Baldoni’s sworn deposition has been released. We hear how he responds to her allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation - claims he denies.Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent discuss power dynamics, why circumcision appears in the legal filings, and how a slow dance montage could be key.The trial was due to begin in March but has now been pushed back to May because the judge has two criminal trials to oversee.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe
Impact Producer: Sophie Millward
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Dec 4, 2025 • 26min
50 Cent's new Diddy doc: allegations and unseen footage row
The lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs have called the Netflix four-part series into his life “a shameful hit piece” that relied on “stolen footage”.Produced by Combs’ longtime rival 50 Cent, the documentary includes never-before-seen clips from the days leading up to his arrest, alongside interviews with individuals alleging abuse - claims Combs denies.In July, he was convicted on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution but found not guilty of the most serious charges - racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking of two ex-girlfriends. Netflix insists the footage was “legally obtained” and says the series is “not a hit piece or an act of retribution”.Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty joins Rolling Stone’s senior investigations reporter Cheyenne Roundtree to unpack the allegations and the battle over unseen footage.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe
Impact Producer: Daniel Raza
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Nov 27, 2025 • 28min
Blake V Justin: Could the case be tossed out?
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 sued him last December, accusing him of sexual harassment and waging a smear campaign against her. Claims he has denied.The latest development is that Baldoni’s legal team is asking the judge to grant a summary judgment, which would dismiss the case.Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent examine Baldoni’s arguments in more detail.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe
Impact Producer: Daniel Raza
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Lisa Baxter
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Nov 20, 2025 • 36min
Kim Kardashian Vs Ray J: Sex tape and defamation
Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner are suing R&B singer Ray J for defamation over “racketeering” claims, which they have called blatantly false.Ray J’s called their lawsuit a “public relations charade” and is now countersuing them for breach of contract. He alleges they broke an agreement not to talk publicly anymore about the sex tape he made with Kim when they dated in 2003. The Kardashians’ lawyer has called Ray J’s countersuit “frivolous”. Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent look at the allegations made in the legal documents and analyse the case.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Nov 13, 2025 • 28min
Trump, the BBC, and the $1bn threat
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 trial attorney Shaun Kent analyse US President Donald Trump’s threat of legal action against the BBC.Trump told Fox News he had an "obligation" to sue the BBC over the way a section of his speech was edited in a Panorama documentary."They actually changed my January 6 speech, which was a beautiful speech, which was a very calming speech, and they made it sound radical,” he said."And they actually changed it. What they did was rather incredible."BBC Chair Samir Shah has previously apologised for an "error of judgement" over the edit.He said the BBC was considering how to respond to the legal threat.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.Host: Anoushka Mutanda-DoughertySeries Producer: Vicky FarncombeSenior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-SmithProduction Coordinator: Helena Warwick-CrossTechnical Producer: Nicky EdwardsEditor: Lisa BaxterAssistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial MillerCommissioning Producer: Adam ElandAssistant Commissioner: Will DrysdaleCommissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Nov 6, 2025 • 28min
Inside Rebel Wilson’s bombshell legal battle
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 involves multiple lawsuits in Australia and the US and includes claims of defamation, sabotage and false imprisonment - as well as allegations of sexual misconduct and embezzlement.
Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent analyse the key areas of the dispute.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Oct 30, 2025 • 17min
What will Diddy’s life be like after prison?
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 counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted on two other charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.As well as serving a 50-month jail term, he also faces strict conditions on his release. He is appealing the conviction.Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent discuss how difficult it will be for Diddy to stick to the rules of his probation order.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.Host: Anoushka Mutanda-DoughertySeries Producer: Vicky FarncombeSenior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-SmithProduction Coordinator: Helena Warwick-CrossProduction Coordinator: Hattie ValentineTechnical Producer: Nicky EdwardsEditor: Clare FordhamAssistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial MillerCommissioning Producer: Adam ElandAssistant Commissioner: Will DrysdaleCommissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Oct 23, 2025 • 26min
Molly-Mae, Bambi and the ‘sharenting’ grey zone
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 Prime series, Behind It All, show toddler Bambi refusing to use the toilet, pooing in the bath and talking about biting her friends.
Some viewers have said it makes them feel uncomfortable and that it is affecting Bambi’s privacy.
The BBC asked Molly Mae for a comment but haven’t heard back. Previously, she told The Sun newspaper: “I have to manage it quite carefully.
“When Bambi gets older, she’s going to have a really special video diary. Not all of it pretty, but it’s just magical that I’m able to do that.”
Asked how her daughter might react to the bath poo incident, she said: “I think she’ll love it. To be honest with you, like I said before, it is quite hard to navigate because she obviously didn’t choose this life, but equally I think we are so grateful to have the life that we do.
“And I think it’s me and Tommy (Bambi’s dad) just navigating our way through it and figuring out how it feels right for Bambi.”
But are there legal risks to “sharenting”? And could there be a future where influencers’ children sue their parents?
Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty discuss the legal grey zone with Claire Bessant, associate professor at Northumbria Law School, and US trial attorney Shaun Kent.
Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Oct 16, 2025 • 25min
Playboy Bunnies and a sex dungeon: allegations against US trader
Retired New York financier Howard Rubin has been charged with sex trafficking multiple women, including Playboy models.Prosecutors allege the women were sexually and physically assaulted in a Manhattan penthouse in a soundproofed room described as “The Dungeon”.Rubin’s former assistant Jennifer Powers is charged as a co-conspirator.They have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent assess the case and discuss why the prosecution have revealed the more shocking allegations in a letter recommending Rubin be denied bail.This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence. If you are affected by anything in the programme, details of help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Oct 9, 2025 • 29min
Jason Derulo: Sexual allegations and goat sacrifice
A singer who claims platinum-selling artist Jason Derulo sabotaged her career after she denied his sexual advances has refiled her lawsuit against him.
Emaza Gibson first sued Derulo and Atlantic Records in October 2023 in Los Angeles but the original case was dismissed last year after a California judge determined her contracts contained clauses requiring any legal disputes to be heard in New York.
The new 49-page lawsuit has been refiled in New York. It includes an allegation that Derulo told her she would be required to take part in a sex ritual called "goat skin and fish scales" - which involved sacrificing a goat and taking cocaine.
He has denied the allegations and said he is “deeply offended by the defamatory claims”.
Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent consider the case and discuss how crucial the plaintiff’s credibility will be.
Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We’ll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith
Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts


