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This is a global player original podcast. The interview you're about to hear is a rare beast.

This is a man who's felt the heartbeat of British public life for four decades, but it's unlikely you've ever heard his voice

before. He's given only half a dozen interviews in his entire life. He's a friend to several former

prime ministers. He's been in their ear whilst they've been in power. He's the former son-in-law

of Rupert Murdoch, married to his daughter Liz for a decade. He's the great-grandson of

Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, which might explain why he's become the go-to

virtually every celebrity you can name who's run into trouble and ask for help. And his

company, Freud's group, is now 40 years old. Matthew Freud is, quite possibly, the most influential man in

Britain you do not know. Today, we discuss Rupert Murdoch, the character he inspired on Succession

and asked whether in 2025 it's even possible for PR to control the political narrative.

Welcome to the news agents. The news agents.

We're with a guest who's just sat down and his first words have been, I shouldn't be here. Matthew Freud, why shouldn't you be here? I've spent 40 years hiding, not completely successfully.

I think if your role is to promote and amplify the people that you're working with,

you should remain hidden mostly.

How often do you do sit down interviews like this?

I've probably done five or six in my life.

In your life?

Yeah.

Yeah.

And yet you have been at the centre of kind of so much of our public life for decades.

I don't mean to age you, but you have.

...