6. The White Cliffs of Dover

The Great Train Robber fugitive faces a stark choice: depression, debt and death in Rio ... or surrender to the UK justice system.

Twenty-five years ago, Britain Most Wanted septuagenarian ceremoniously flew home on a private jet chartered by The Sun newspaper, after 35 years on the run. Some celebrated him as a hero, others demanded he live the rest of his days in Belmarsh Prison.

As the series comes to a close, actor Daniel Mays reflects on how and why Britain built-up the Ronnie Biggs myth.

Credits:
Presenter - Daniel Mays
Producers - Phoebe McIndoe & Jude Shapiro
Executive Producer - Jack Howson
Associate Exec - Chris Pickard
Mix Engineering - Will Fitzpatrick
Commissioning Producer - Sam Proffitt
Commissioning Executive - Louise Kattenhorn
Commissioning Editor - Richard Maddock

Contributors include:
Ursula and Chris Crocker, ex-housemates of Biggs
Professor Dick Hobbs, criminologist
Colin MacKenzie, crime reporter for the Daily Express
Professor Ruth Penfold-Mounce, celebrity crime expert
Chris Pickard, ghostwriter for Biggs
Nick Reynolds, sculptor and son of the Great Train Robbery gang leader
Jim Shreim, documentarian and neighbour of Biggs
Noel ‘Razor’ Smith, writer and former armed robber
Brian Stone, cellmate of Biggs
Mike Sullivan, crime editor for The Sun
Reverend Dave Tomlinson, officiant at Biggs's funeral

A Peanut & Crumb production for Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds