Hacks & Flaks

n the final episode of this series of Hacks and Flaks, host Petrie and regular panellist Giles, welcomes two guests to the show, each with very different perspectives on how photographs are used to illustrate the news. In the studio is renowned photojournalist, Stefan Rousseau, who shares some amazing stories from his career with the Press Association, photographing world leaders, and what it's like to be in a room alone with Vladimir Putin. We also welcome EastEnders actor Lucy Benjamin back to the series, sharing some shocking truths of what it was like to be relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi pack, who even went as far as following her on her honeymoon. The team also look back at some notorious pap shots which have possibly broken brands and saved lives, although perhaps the subjects of the photographs may not agree. Thank you for joining us for the second series of Hacks and Flaks, if you enjoy the show, tell your friends and we'll see you next time - Goodbye for now!

How has the world of sports journalism changed and adapted to the new realm of online news? Why are there fewer stories about the personal lives of sports personalities in the press? And what does the future hold for the world of sport and how it's reported? Sports reporter for the London Evening Standard, Nizaar Kinsella, joins Petrie, Andrew, and Giles, to talk about all of this and a whole lot more in today's episode of Hacks and Flaks, and we also find out what is going on behind the scenes in a world tightly controlled by sponsors, PR and international diplomacy.

This week's Hacks and Flaks welcomes a cast of thousands to the studio. Not only is our host Petrie, joined by regular panellists Andrew MacDougall, and Giles Kenningham, but we also have at least two ex-Prime Ministers, two wannabe PMs AND 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump....plus, comedian, and impressionist Matt Forde, who just so happens to have Trump, Johnson, Cameron, Corbyn and Starmer in his repertoire.  As well as hearing about the new incarnation of TV political puppet show, Spitting Image, the team also discusses why there will always be a need and desire for such comedy, and we are also given some real-life moments from Giles and Andrew's careers which are beyond satire!

Why does a celebrity need someone managing their public relations? Can't they manage that themselves? Well, it would appear that's getting increasingly difficult in these days of trial by social media and a single tweet can ruin a carefully crafted reputation, potentially destroying a career. What can a PR do to stop the damage seeping in further? Can they keep a story out of the press? And why would a journalist do PR's bidding if they happen to be sitting on a solid gold scoop about their client? PR to the stars, Richard Dawes dropped into the studio, to tell us how he would deal with certain awkward situations and gives us an insight into what it's like to manage some of the biggest names in the music biz. As always, our host Petrie is on hand to ask the burning questions, and regular panellists Andrew and Mick share some occasions when the PR machine didn't quite roll in their favour.

Something tells me we're not in Kansas anymore Toto, as the team are frogmarched down the yellow brick road by this week's guest, editor of The Sunday Sport (yes, THAT Sunday Sport), Nick Appleyard. Where else can you hear the plight of a wronged monkey postman, get the inside scoop on a missing plane found on the moon, and read all about the sticky end of the overzealous hide and seek champ? Well, obviously – and quite rightly - nowhere else. In today’s show, Nick pulls back the curtain and allows us inside the secretive and frankly, baffling world of this great British institution.  Our host Petrie wears the ruby slippers, as we and regular panellists, Andrew, Giles, and Mick are all friends of Dorothy in this tornado of an episode.