Believe in Magic

BBC Studios

True Crime, Society & Culture, Documentary

4.7 • 1.2K Ratings

Overview

Jamie Bartlett, host of the hit podcast The Missing Crypto queen, is back with another gripping, investigative serial. In his new series, Jamie tells the story of Megan Bhari, an inspirational 16 year old girl who in 2012 launches a charity to grant wishes to seriously ill children. The charity is called Believe in Magic and it attracts the support of the biggest boy band in the world: One Direction. Believe in Magic soon becomes a household name in the child cancer community, putting on parties, sending thoughtful gifts and organizing trips to Disney. Megan is adored by all those she helps and is given an award by the then Prime Minister David Cameron. What’s even more remarkable is that Megan is herself extremely unwell. She announces that she has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. She raises money online for life saving treatment in the United States. But a group of internet sleuths start to suspect that Meg isn’t ill at all. When they discover Megan is in a Disney resort rather than a US hospital, they decide to hire a private detective to prove Megan is faking her illness–and expose the truth to the world. But events take an unexpected turn. And the internet sleuths-who are all parents of seriously ill children themselves-begin to wonder if they've got it all wrong. "It wasn't meant to end like this," says one. Author Jamie Bartlett and producer Ruth Mayer investigate the truth about Megan Bhari, tracing back over the sleuths’ incredible discoveries, meeting Megan’s old friends and supporters, and exploring the medical profession’s most mysterious condition. After months of investigation, Jamie and Ruth discover a secretive investigation into the truth about Megan’s medical condition. The conclusion is shocking–and will have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved. This podcast is produced by BBC Studios, a commercial company that is wholly owned by the BBC. No money from the licence fee was used to create this podcast. The money BBC Studios makes is re-invested to help fund the BBC.

9 Episodes

Episode 8: The Mother of All Cons

New revelations in the extraordinary story of a teenage girl and her celebrity backed charity. Jamie Bartlett’s back to shed new light on to some of the questions he and producer Ruth Mayer were left with at the end of the series. After the final episode was released, people who knew the family got in touch offering to share missing pieces of the puzzle. So Ruth carried on the investigation, joined by a documentary team. For the past three years she’s been working on a new BBC2 TV series about Megan, her mother Jean and their charity “Believe in Magic.” Now she and Jamie can answer some of their lingering questions. What did Megan’s best friends see? What did Megan herself think about her illness? And, what is Jean doing now? But, above all, they wanted to know what really happened between Megan, Jean and the doctors. Insights come from a close family member who has been granted access to Megan’s medical records. The Mother of All Cons is out now on BBC two and iPlayer now in the UK. In the US you can find it on BBC Select and BBC.com as Believe in Magic: The Mother of All Cons. Believe in Magic is a BBC Studios production.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2026

Episode 7: Jean

Jamie tries to track down Megan’s mother. A new report reveals a shocking conclusion.

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2023

Episode 6: One Direction

Is One Direction key to understanding Meg? Jamie hears of a secret report into Meg's case

Transcribed - Published: 25 May 2023

Episode 5: Sisters

Jamie discovers a link with a little - understood yet disturbing medical phenomenon.

Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2023

Episode 4: Doctors

The news creates shock waves. Jamie is determined to find what really happened to Megan

Transcribed - Published: 18 May 2023

Episode 3: Proof

The sleuths reveal their findings. And hear some terrible news that changes everything.

Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2023

Episode 2: Sleuths

Megan fundraises for treatment abroad. Sleuths discover she’s not where she claims.

Transcribed - Published: 11 May 2023

Episode 1: Megan

A girl with a brain tumour starts a charity for ill children. But is she really ill?

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2023

Introducing Believe In Magic

Investigation into the extraordinary story of a teenage girl and charity Believe in Magic

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2023

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