5. The Magic Balloon Gang

Buy your ticket for ‘The Ronnie Biggs Experience’. For fifty dollars you will be entitled to Brazilian barbecue, a few beers, and an intimate audience with an international celebrity fugitive. Branded T-Shirts are available upon request.

Live music may be provided by the Sex Pistols or, otherwise, a pop band of adorable children.

Warning: the risk of a kidnap attempt occurring within the duration of this event is high. Snakes are also a known hazard.

This episode has been edited since publication.

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:

Michael ‘Breiti’ Breitkopf & Bruce Henry Leitman, musical collaborators of Biggs

Ursula Crocker, ex-housemate of Biggs

Colin MacKenzie, crime reporter for the Daily Express

Professor Ruth Penfold-Mounce, celebrity crime expert

Chris Pickard, ghostwriter for Biggs

Alex Popovics, son of Biggs’ partner Ulla Sopher

John Robb, musician and punk critic

Jim Shreim, documentarian and neighbour of Biggs

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