BBC Sounds is launching Fame Under Fire, a new podcast hosted by Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, following her success with Diddy on Trial.
Trending stories in celebrity culture will be explored, giving a backstage pass to the truth behind the headlines about musicians, film stars, athletes, politicians, influencers, and royalty.
The series will examine how scandal collides with celebrity in an age of AI-generated evidence, misinformation, and unqualified “newsfluencers”, with Anoushka and expert guests fact-checking the stories lighting up social media.
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty said: “Diddy on Trial was unique because we were in conversation with our listeners throughout the case.
“This was audience driven journalism from the start, but it was clear after week one at the trial that the Diddy case was just the beginning.
“We got thousands of messages and requests to look into other powerful figures. We put people in the spotlight on pedestals and invest in them. So when they fall, we want the truth.
“In Fame Under Fire, each week we’ll be investigating the stories of high-profile people who wield a different kind of, but no less influential, power in the world of pop culture.”
Rhian Roberts, BBC Commissioner for Podcasts & Formats, said: “Anoushka is the perfect presenter to host these conversations. She brings an authentic love and knowledge of this social media driven space.
“Fame Under Fire will be the podcast where listeners can get the best intel on the stories dominating their feeds.”
Clare Fordham, Editor Long Form Audio commented: “I’m thrilled that Anoushka will be heading up this exciting new project from our base in Salford.
“The Long Form Audio team here have led the way in impactful youth-targeted visualised podcasts. Fame Under Fire will be on hand to debunk what you’re hearing on social media and get to the truth of what’s going on.”
Anoushka joined BBC’s Long Form Audio team in Salford in 2022, where along with hosting Diddy on Trial, she also contributed to Witness History and The Global Story on BBC World Service.
She began her career making documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and her programme Degrees of Love was a New York Radio Award finalist.
In 2020, she produced ‘Back to Uni’ for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 4, working with BBC investigative journalist Sue Mitchell. She has also presented an episode of The Documentary Podcast on BBC World Service English which explored why young people are having less sex.
The first episode of Fame Under Fire will be released on the 24 of July on BBC Sounds, BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sounds YouTube channel and wherever you get your podcasts. If you are outside the UK, it will be available wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
