Introducing Gangster: The Story of John Palmer

Livvy Haydock travels from the streets of post-war Birmingham to the sun-kissed beaches of Tenerife - following the rise and fall of one of Britain’s richest, and most wanted, serious organised criminals.

It’s a story of violence, mystery, murder and police corruption - of how an illiterate lad from a broken home went on to become as rich as the Queen - leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Palmer owned a Learjet, a yacht, helicopters, a collection of fast cars and a chateau in France. A wheeler-dealer jeweller who started by selling paraffin from the back of a lorry and was catapulted to the top of the criminal world after the Brink’s-Mat heist in 1983 - the largest armed robbery in British history. He smelted millions of pounds worth of the gold, earning himself the moniker ‘Goldfinger.’ He then went on to mastermind a multi-million-pound timeshare fraud on Tenerife, scamming thousands of innocent victims who lost their life savings.

In a series of exclusive interviews, Livvy hears from his associates and his victims - many of whom have never spoken before. And she meets the detectives who were tasked with bringing him to justice.

This podcast includes strong language and descriptions of violence.

Presenter: Livvy Haydock

Series producer: Mick Tucker

Producer: Patrick Kiteley

Technical production and sound design: Nicky Edwards and Richard Hannaford

Journalism Assistant: Tim Fernley

Production Manager: Sarah Payton

Commissioning editors: Richard Maddock and Dylan Haskins

Editor and executive producer: Carl Johnston

Release date

Lydbog: 1. februar 2023