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33 episodes

5. Waiting for answers
13/03/2026 | 18 mins.
Ray McDonald agrees to an interview after being rumbled using dating apps under a false name.
Meanwhile, Vicky catches up with some of the women whose lives have been turned upside down by Ray and discovers why it’s so hard for victims of romance fraud to rebuild their lives.
Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison.
Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree.
Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer.
Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree.
Sound designer: Kasel Kundola.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria).
Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.
Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds.
Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.
4. A date with Ray
06/03/2026 | 14 mins.
Ray McDonald is out of prison. He’s already broken his restraining order banning him from dating apps and is on a website posing as “Rob from York”.
Vicky’s production team arrange a date with his latest alter ego.
They witness first-hand the tried and tested love bombing techniques that Ray has used for years before finally confronting him.
Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison.
Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree.
Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer.
Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree.
Sound designer: Kasel Kundola.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria).
Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.
Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds.
Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.
3. The making of a conman
27/02/2026 | 16 mins.
Vicky Pattison explores Ray McDonald’s past, asking those who know him best why they think he has spent decades scamming people.
Vicky asks whether time spent in the army may have given Ray the skills to be a better conman and hears how his refusal to deal with any fallout from his lies has affected his family life.
Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison.
Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree.
Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer.
Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree.
Sound designer: Kasel Kundola.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria).
Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.
Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds.
Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.
2. Morning ‘til night
20/02/2026 | 11 mins.
As the extent of Ray McDonald’s repeat offending starts to become clear, Vicky discovers he has been released from his latest sentence.
Vicky hears from Susan who went to school with Ray McDonald in County Durham. She grew up with him but that didn’t stop him from ruining her life.
Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison.
Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree.
Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer.
Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree.
Sound designer: Kasel Kundola.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria).
Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.
Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds.
Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.
1. Hit by a train
13/02/2026 | 24 mins.
Vicky Pattison meets Caroline, who lost her home after matching with prolific romance fraudster Raymond McDonald on a dating site.
McDonald was posing as Mark Swift, a stressed-out chef with a seriously ill daughter. Within six months he had proposed, emptied Caroline’s bank account and left her with suspected PTSD.
Caroline was in court when McDonald was sent to prison for defrauding her and three other women.
Left to rebuild her life, she assumed he’d learnt his lesson - she’s about to find out just how wrong she was.
Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison.
Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree.
Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer.
Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree.
Sound designer: Kasel Kundola.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria).
Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.
Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds.
Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.

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About Love Bombed

Vicky Pattison investigates romance fraud, exploring extreme cases of love bombing, lies and psychological manipulation. Victims share their stories and experts discuss how we, as a society, can affect change.Series 4. WifeHunter Uncovering one the UK’s most prolific Lovebombers, Raymond McDonald. Despite a court ban he is still on dating apps and talking to women. One of them is us.Previously on Love Bombed:Series 3. Love Bombed Presents...Betrayed Vicky Pattison explores double lives, mental trickery, manipulation and love.Series 2. Who is Alex? A story of survival after a woman nearly lost her money and sense of self to an online fraudster. Series 1. Who is James Scott? The incredible double life of a serial cheater and his true identity. Have you been love bombed? Tell us your story at [email protected]: Series 4. WifeHunter Presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.

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