Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to introduce myself.

My name's Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a Load of Sport Podcasts.

I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with a leading journalist, experienced

pundits and the biggest sport stars.

Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights straight from the players'

mouths.

But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is our unique access to the sport world.

What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to

dedicated sports fans across the UK.

So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.

Today's life is one of those rare and extraordinary characters, upon whom this series occasionally

lifts the curtain that after a life in the public eye, death seems to have brought down.

A unique and glamorous star whose stage act involved remarkable feats of strength, bending metal

bars and ripping phone books in too. Anna Maxwell-Martin is my guest, so tell us Anna, whom

have you picked?

Hello Matthew, I have picked Joan Rhodes and she was a strong woman. She had a very humble

beginning.

I'm actually, there's probably a different word, but she's a woman that I became sort of

entranced by. I'm really interested in variety and I think I'd seen a visual of Joan.

Well we've got a great picture of her that you and I are looking at. It's a mixture of glamour,

femininity and sort of muscle man. She's wielding a fist, showing her biceps and yet extraordinarily

attractive.

...