Introducing Gangster Presents: The Story of Ronnie Biggs
Gangster
BBC
4.7 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 4 May 2026
⏱️ 2 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
How did a small-time carpenter with a minor and fumbled role in a 1963 violent heist become Britain’s most famous fugitive and - for many - an unlikely folk hero? From gangland tea boy to Brazilian playboy, this series recounts the controversial rollercoaster life of Ronnie Biggs in his own words, through previously unheard recordings.
Actor Daniel Mays, who portrayed the Great Train Robber in a major ITV drama, hosts the podcast, marking the 25th anniversary of Biggs’ return to Britain to face justice after 36 years on the run.
Listen first on BBC Sounds from May 7th, 2026.
A Peanut & Crumb production for Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts. |
| 0:06.0 | The House always wins, right? |
| 0:09.1 | You don't regret the robbery itself, which was described by the judge as being inspired by vast greed. |
| 0:15.5 | No, I'm totally involved in vast greed, I'm afraid. |
| 0:19.7 | Well, not in this story. |
| 0:22.9 | As far as I'm concerned, I believe I've wiped the slate clean. |
| 0:26.1 | Meet Britain's Most Wanted. |
| 0:28.3 | He was just an inbred criminal, you know. |
| 0:30.6 | The Gangland Tea Boy, who became a Brazilian playboy punk rocker. |
| 0:34.9 | I've read all about your performances and I'm totally disgusting. |
| 0:38.3 | What about the train, you're on? |
| 0:39.8 | An utter embarrassment to the establishment as the man who couldn't be called. |
| 0:45.3 | You've got a bunch of working class men who are saying, no, I'm not putting up with this any |
| 0:49.2 | long ago. |
| 0:49.7 | What is the point of having extradition treatise if instead of observing them, |
| 0:55.0 | you send over a bunch of strong-armed men who kidnap somebody? |
| 0:59.2 | Can you really look yourself in the eye? |
| 1:00.7 | They've nearly toppled the whole government. |
| 1:03.5 | A Robin Hood or unrepentant villain. |
| 1:05.8 | There are few convicted criminals whose names divide people as fiercely as Ronnie Biggs. |
| 1:10.7 | Gentleman jailbird or violent thug whose crime only seems less severe, |
| 1:14.6 | simply because of the passage of time. |
... |
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