You're about to listen to a BBC podcast and maybe it's when I had a hand in.

I'm Tammy Walker and I produce podcasts for the BBC.

My role is to give new and diverse creators a voice with the opportunity to build a career.

That's the thing I love about Podcast.

You start with just a good idea.

But then you have the space to see where it goes.

And doing that at the BBC means we can really run with the best stories

while developing the most unique audio talent.

So if you like what you hear, why not check out the huge range of

podcast we've got on BBC Sounds. Hello, welcome to the Witness History Podcast from the BBC World Service with me

Jane Wilkinson. I'm taking you back through the BBC Archives to 1970 and the defection of one of Russia's greatest

ballerinas, a star of the Kirov Ballet Company who walked out during a UK tour of London.

After the final performance tonight at the festival hall,

the Russian Ballet Company will be leaving England

without any real clue as to where they're leading ballerina, Natalia Makarov is right now,

nor do they know why she actually defected to Britain.

Some feel perhaps that Miss Makarov, having enjoyed a very successful six-week season here might have become

captivated by the much more relaxing atmosphere that apparently visiting dancers do enjoy when

they come to this country.

Just days later, on the current affairs program 24 hours

Natalia Makarovo emerged to explain her reasons, speaking through an interpreter.

I thought about it a great deal. There was a lot for and a lot against. But I have no doubts. I've made a firm decision and it's my own decision.

...