About this episode
The episode explores the life of Ronnie Biggs amidst the backdrop of 1970s Brazil, focusing on the Great Train Robbery and its aftermath.
Welcome to Rio in 1970. Home to the most beautiful football team the world has ever known. Home to a brutal military dictatorship. And, now, home of the last Great Train Robber at large. The Ronnie Biggs rollercoaster is about to crank up for another wild ride that takes in a Scotland Yard sting, samba, teenage pregnancy, the tabloid scoop of the decade, and an accidental legal loophole that defies the British government. Credits: Presenter - Daniel Mays Producers - Phoebe McIndoe & Jude Shapiro Executive Producer - Jack Howson Associate Exec - Chris Pickard Mix Engineering - Will Fitzpatrick Commissioning Producer - Sam Proffitt Commissioning Executive - Louise Kattenhorn Commissioning Editor - Richard Maddock Contributors include: Ursula and Chris Crocker, ex-housemates of Biggs Colin MacKenzie, crime reporter for the Daily Express Chris Pickard, ghostwriter for Biggs Jim Shreim, documentarian and neighbour of Biggs Noel ‘Razor’ Smith, writer and former armed robber A Peanut & Crumb production for Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
People in this episode
Host: Daniel Mays
Guests: Ursula Crocker, Chris Crocker, Colin MacKenzie, Chris Pickard, Jim Shreim, Noel ‘Razor’ Smith
Topics covered
- football
- military dictatorship
- Great Train Robbery
- legal loophole
- tabloid journalism
- 1970s Brazil
Keywords
- Ronnie Biggs
- Great Train Robbery
- 1970s
- Brazil
- military dictatorship
- football
- legal loophole
- tabloids
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Daily Express, Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds
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- Introducing Gangster Presents: The Story of Ronnie Biggs · May 4, 2026 · 2 min
- 6. Losing Face · April 9, 2026 · 28 min
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