When It Hits the Fan podcast

When It Hits the Fan

Inside the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as David Yelland and Simon Lewis watch the week's biggest PR disasters unfold. In each episode our hosts go behind the scenes of the latest news stories and find out how, where and when it all began to hit the fan. When It Hits The Fan is hosted by two of the most influential and experienced people in the game; David Yelland is the former editor of the Sun and alongside him is Simon Lewis, former trouble-shooter for the Queen and Gordon Brown, as well as for major corporations like the Nat West, Vodafone and British Gas. Together they bring decades of experience in both creating and managing crises. They'll share all they know about what's keeping those big stories in and out of the news.

Inside the world of crisis managers and spin doctors as David Yelland and Simon Lewis watch the week's biggest PR disasters unfold. In each episode our hosts go behind the scenes of the latest news stories and find out how, where and when it all began to hit the fan. When It Hits The Fan is hosted by two of the most influential and experienced people in the game; David Yelland is the former editor of the Sun and alongside him is Simon Lewis, former trouble-shooter for the Queen and Gordon Brown, as well as for major corporations like the Nat West, Vodafone and British Gas. Together they bring decades of experience in both creating and managing crises. They'll share all they know about what's keeping those big stories in and out of the news.

 

#122

Two Weeks that Shook the Palace

It was barely a fortnight - but in that time everything seemed to change. This week, David... more

05 Nov 2025

31 MINS

31:43

05 Nov 2025


#121

The Strictly Bombshell

As PR moves go, it would surely have earned a '10 from Len'. But what about the BBC's own ... more

29 Oct 2025

36 MINS

36:06

29 Oct 2025


#120

The Prince Andrew Crisis

No more Duke of York, no more Order of the Garter. But he is still Prince Andrew. And he i... more

22 Oct 2025

25 MINS

25:59

22 Oct 2025


#119

What Victoria Beckham's revelation reveals about PR

Victoria Beckham is no stranger to headlines. And now she's revealed that intense media sc... more

15 Oct 2025

27 MINS

27:48

15 Oct 2025


#118

Michelle Mone: Her PR Rise and Fall

This week, David and Simon look at Michelle Mone's meteoric rise and spectacular fall - an... more

08 Oct 2025

32 MINS

32:04

08 Oct 2025


#117

Prince Harry and the Men in Grey Suits

It was all going so well. Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like a genuine reconciliat... more

01 Oct 2025

28 MINS

28:23

01 Oct 2025


#116

Why the Macrons are willing to bare all

We are living in troubling times when Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, feel they ha... more

24 Sep 2025

30 MINS

30:38

24 Sep 2025


#115

Prince Harry's PR Comeback

It was only a few months ago that Prince Harry was being roundly criticised pretty much ev... more

17 Sep 2025

38 MINS

38:20

17 Sep 2025


#114

Alas WH Smith and Jones

Rebrands, name changes, financial black holes. Just what is going on with WH Smith? This w... more

10 Sep 2025

31 MINS

31:36

10 Sep 2025


#113

7. Be Honest With Yourself

'PRs hold up the mirror and sometimes people don't like what they see.' So say David Yella... more

03 Sep 2025

08 MINS

08:02

03 Sep 2025


#112

6. Never Over Promise

If you say you're going to hit a target, make sure you hit it. Managing expectations is on... more

27 Aug 2025

08 MINS

08:08

27 Aug 2025


#111

5. Know How To Go Off the Record

Non attributable, authorised leaks, Chatham House rules. Briefing the media can be a baffl... more

20 Aug 2025

09 MINS

09:42

20 Aug 2025


#110

4. Prepare For A Crisis

'Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.' An excellent nugget of wisdom ... more

13 Aug 2025

10 MINS

10:50

13 Aug 2025


#109

3. The Media is Not Your Friend

It's not quite two tribes going to war but it can feel like that. In this episode, David Y... more

06 Aug 2025

10 MINS

10:02

06 Aug 2025


#108

2. Start Networking Now

Just the word 'networking' can conjure up images of high-powered people in suits who all s... more

30 Jul 2025

10 MINS

10:18

30 Jul 2025


#107

1. Reputation is Everything

Loads of money, success and power - great. But what do people actually think of you? In th... more

23 Jul 2025

09 MINS

09:47

23 Jul 2025


#106

A Right Royal Whodunnit

The idea of a secret meeting is just that - it stays secret. So what happens when that mee... more

16 Jul 2025

22 MINS

22:43

16 Jul 2025


#105

The Crying Game

We tend to like leaders to appear calm and in control. But we also want them to be human. ... more

09 Jul 2025

35 MINS

35:20

09 Jul 2025


#104

Dynasty PR: Can the Trumps learn from the Royals?

Siblings at war, power struggles, a well-earned reputation in need of protection - who doe... more

02 Jul 2025

25 MINS

25:59

02 Jul 2025


#103

Faking It To Make It

Just be your best authentic self. That's supposedly what we should all be striving for. Bu... more

25 Jun 2025

27 MINS

27:33

25 Jun 2025


#102

Is Bezos blind to Venetians?

Sure, who wouldn't want a wedding snap with Venice's Grand Canal in the background? But wh... more

18 Jun 2025

28 MINS

28:47

18 Jun 2025


#101

Sirs, Dames and the PR Game

Arise Sir Goldenballs. With David Beckham all set to receive a knighthood, David Yelland a... more

11 Jun 2025

29 MINS

29:47

11 Jun 2025