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Artwork for Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away?

Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away?

The Crime Desk
Charlene Downes
Blackpool
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child Abuse
Harrods
Police Investigation
Grooming
Kebab Meat
Mohamed Al-Fayed
Fast Food Takeaways
Community Activism
Elon Musk
Youth Exploitation
Justice System Failures
Mental Health
Social Services
Public Scrutiny
Ray Monroe
Karen Downes
Bob Downes

Launching September 19th.

Mohamed Al-Fayed was the billionaire businessman who owned the iconic department store – Harrods. Together they projected an image of wealth, luxury and glamour.

In the wake of his death, that image was shattered when hundreds of former Harrods employees came forward to accuse Al-Fayed of grooming, abuse and assault. But this was more than just one man. It was a trafficki... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes16Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away?

Latest Episodes

In this bonus episode of Al Fayed: Who Looked Away?, we’re hearing from journalist Meirion Jones.

Throughout his career Meirion has investigated and broken stories about powerful offenders. The kind of people who, like Mohamed Al-Fayed, had enough ... more

Many survivors of Al-Fayed’s abuse stayed silent about their experiences for years.

Now that silence is broken. 

But speaking out isn’t enough. These survivors want meaningful action.

Frustrated by the new police investigation, Operation Cornpoppy... more

As details emerged about the scale and systematic nature of Mohamed Al-Fayed’s crimes, he was compared to another notorious predator – Jeffrey Epstein. 

Soon, survivors of Al-Fayed start describing their experiences using a term from Epstein’s case ... more

Mohamed Al-Fayed’s abuses were not isolated incidents. They were a deliberate pattern of exploitation and control.

And they started on the shop floor, a toxic working environment where young women were on show as much as the items on sale. Women lik... more

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Recent Guests

Meirion Jones
Investigative journalist
Episode: Al-Fayed - Episode 5: Power & Influence
Phil Brewer
Specialist advisor at the Human Trafficking Foundation
Human Trafficking Foundation
Episode: Al-Fayed - Episode 3: Trafficking
Joanna Brittan
Survivor sharing her testimony
Former employee of UAE royal household
Episode: Al-Fayed - Episode 1: I’ve Got To Get Rid of You
Tommy Robinson
Controversial political figure and leader of the far-right
English Defense League
Episode: Charlene: Somebody Knows Something - The Far-Right - Episode 7

Host

Nicola Thorp
Host and investigator with focus on systemic issues surrounding high-profile cases.

Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars from 216 ratings
  • Great listen

    This was great story telling. It kept me engaged the whole time. The case and twists and turns, were frustrating and incredibly sad.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Patti, Powell, Ohio
    United States2 months ago
  • Powerful

    A brilliant investigation that links everything that’s wrong with broken Britain. Everyone let poor Charlene down including her parents and the police. This will haunt me. May she rest in peace.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Peacetime girl
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • This hasn’t aged well!

    Bad journalism!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    givyctxvoyguofrev
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • AVOID

    I was really enjoying until episode 6. No wonder our country is in such a state when we have people like the host protecting grooming gangs and throwing her own people under the bus. Won't be listening any further. Went from talking about a poor young girl missing to her political views!! Should not have been allowed .

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Cat ZI
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Charlene

    So sorry no one kept you safe Charlene xxxx

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kelly 🇮🇪🇵🇸
    United Kingdom6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Most listeners praise the rigorous research and compassionate handling of survivors.
A segment appreciates the deep dive into the justice system and police investigations.
Some listeners feel the host's political commentary colors coverage and detracts from facts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#80
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#134
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#94
Ireland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#192
Finland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#228
New Zealand/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Al-Fayed - Episode 5: Power & Influence
Q: How did the Savile case influence your understanding of reporting about powerful figures?
Jones explains that Savile's case showed how connections with charities, royalty, and media figures can create a shield around perpetrators, and how fear of libel and legal costs often stalls reporting until intense public pressure or subsequent investigations force coverage.
Al-Fayed - Episode 5: Power & Influence
Q: I suppose the best place to start is to introduce yourself.
Meirion Jones discusses his background as an investigative journalist, his focus on powerful offenders, and how his work on Savile informed his approach to uncovering similar patterns of abuse and obstruction.
Charlene: Somebody Knows Something - Somebody Knows Something - Episode 8
Q: What do you think the police investigation looks like now?
Karen Downes expressed doubts about the police's current actions, suggesting they may have scaled down their efforts despite stating the case is still open.
Charlene: Somebody Knows Something - Rez - Episode 3
Q: What do you think about the portrayal of you in the media?
Rez feels targeted and misrepresented, particularly highlighting the unfairness of the accusations against him.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away?

What is Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series examines a high-profile grooming and trafficking scandal tied to a powerful business figure, focusing on survivor voices and the systemic protections that allowed abuse to persist. Through investigative interviews and case context, it explores how networks operated, the role of media and authorities, and the ongoing fight for accountability and justice. Episodes likely thread together survivor testimonies, police and legal challenges, and the broader questions of accountability, class, and power that shape public perceptions of abuse cases.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away?:

1. The Trial: Russell Brand
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5. REAL LIVES

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Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away? launched a year ago and published 16 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away??

Recent guests on Al-Fayed: Who Looked Away? include:

1. Meirion Jones
2. Phil Brewer
3. Joanna Brittan
4. Tommy Robinson

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