When It Hits the Fan
BBC Radio 4
When It Hits The Fan takes you behind the headlines and into the high-stakes world of power, influence and reputation. Each week, it unpacks the PR playbook used by some of the world's most powerful people and asks how the hidden hand of the communications industry shapes what you see, hear and believe.
Hosts David Yelland and Farzana Baduel dive into the week's biggest media storms, scandals and corporate crises, revealing how PR disasters unfold in real time. From political controversies to celebrity missteps and brand meltdowns, they trace where the story began, how it spiralled, and who ended up in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Bringing sharp insight and insider knowledge.
David Yelland is the former editor of The Sun and Farzana Baduel is an award-winning communications strategist and crisis management specialist. Together, they draw on decades of frontline experience shaping narratives, handling reputational firestorms and understanding what really drives the news cycle.
- 155 episodes
- Updated July 15
Episodes155
- Sep 17, 2025 · 38 min
- Sep 10, 2025 · 31 min
Alas WH Smith and Jones
Sep 3, 2025 · 8 min7. Be Honest With Yourself
Aug 27, 2025 · 8 min6. Never Over Promise
Aug 20, 2025 · 9 min5. Know How To Go Off the Record
Aug 13, 2025 · 10 min4. Prepare For A Crisis
Aug 6, 2025 · 10 min3. The Media is Not Your Friend
Jul 30, 2025 · 10 min2. Start Networking Now
Jul 23, 2025 · 9 min1. Reputation is Everything
- Jul 16, 2025 · 22 min
A Right Royal Whodunnit
- Jul 9, 2025 · 35 min
The Crying Game
- Jul 2, 2025 · 25 min
Dynasty PR: Can the Trumps learn from the Royals?
- Jun 25, 2025 · 27 min
Faking It To Make It
- Jun 18, 2025 · 28 min
Is Bezos blind to Venetians?
- Jun 11, 2025 · 29 min
Sirs, Dames and the PR Game
- Jun 4, 2025 · 27 min
'Humanity Deserves Better'
- May 28, 2025 · 29 min
You're Banned!
- May 21, 2025 · 31 min
Robotaxis: Look, no hands!
- May 14, 2025 · 23 min
The Spy Who Leaked Me
- May 7, 2025 · 24 min
Prince Harry's bombshell interview