Sport’s Strangest Crimes: Bloodgate is the latest series of the BBC Radio 5 Live podcast that explores one of the most notorious moments in British rugby union history.
Hosted by actor and the award-winning documentary maker Ross Kemp, with reporting by BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones, this series uncovers new details and untold stories about the infamous ‘Bloodgate’ scandal.
Kemp looks into how a simple blood capsule, bought from a joke shop, set off a series of events that shook the sport. The series includes never-before-heard insights and interviews to explain the chain of events that left careers destroyed and lives changed forever.
At the heart of this story is Tom Williams, the young Harlequins player who found himself caught up in a scheme to cheat during a critical match. Tom opens up about his role in the cover-ups and the decision to blow the whistle on the whole operation, revealing the conspiracies, secret deals, and the aftermath.
His choice to expose the truth led to devastating consequences for everyone involved – especially his coach, rugby legend Dean Richards, who was banned for three years for masterminding the plot.
Ross Kemp said: “As a rugby lover, the Bloodgate episode was truly shocking because it went against all the values that the game is famous for – but the cover-ups and dark dealings that followed were even more jaw-dropping.
“At times farcical, at others disturbing, I hope listeners will enjoy joining me for a rollercoaster ride through the ultimate sporting scandal.”
The podcast not only features interviews with rugby icons like Brian O’Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Ugo Monye, Nick Easter and referee Nigel Owens, who were on the pitch on that fateful day, but also esteemed journalists and investigators who reveal how they exposed the plot and covered the messy consequences.
The first four episodes of Sports Strangest Crimes: Bloodgate will be available on BBC Sounds from 15 March, followed by the next three episodes on 22 March.
