5. The Magic Balloon Gang

About this episode

This episode explores a unique event featuring the infamous fugitive Ronnie Biggs, blending crime, celebrity, and music.

Buy your ticket for ‘The Ronnie Biggs Experience’. For fifty dollars you will be entitled to Brazilian barbecue, a few beers, and an intimate audience with an international celebrity fugitive. Branded T-Shirts are available upon request. Live music may be provided by the Sex Pistols or, otherwise, a pop band of adorable children. Warning: the risk of a kidnap attempt occurring within the duration of this event is high. Snakes are also a known hazard. This episode has been edited since publication. 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: Michael ‘Breiti’ Breitkopf & Bruce Henry Leitman, musical collaborators of Biggs Ursula Crocker, ex-housemate of Biggs Colin MacKenzie, crime reporter for the Daily Express Professor Ruth Penfold-Mounce, celebrity crime expert Chris Pickard, ghostwriter for Biggs Alex Popovics, son of Biggs’ partner Ulla Sopher John Robb, musician and punk critic Jim Shreim…

People in this episode

Host: Daniel Mays

Guests: Michael ‘Breiti’ Breitkopf, Bruce Henry Leitman, Ursula Crocker, Colin MacKenzie, Professor Ruth Penfold-Mounce, Chris Pickard, Alex Popovics, John Robb, Jim Shreim

Topics covered

• fugitive
• crime
• celebrity
• event
• music
• true crime

Keywords

• Ronnie Biggs
• fugitive
• Brazilian barbecue
• Sex Pistols
• kidnap attempt
• true crime
• event
• celebrity crime

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 5 Live, Daily Express, Sex Pistols

Books & works: A Peanut & Crumb production

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