Careless | Tortoise Investigates

138 episodes

Introducing...Careless
16/09/2026 | 3 mins.
Nkechi Simms is a successful actor who’s had parts in Top Boy and the BBC comedy PRU. Outwardly life is good and she’s got everything going for her, but this hasn’t always been the case. When she was 12 Nkechi’s mother handed her over to Camden council and she was placed in foster care. Now Nkechi wants to find out what happened to her and why. The only way she can do this is by getting hold of her care records. But that’s easier said than done. And will those records answer her questions?

Reported by Ashley John-Baptiste and Madeleine Parr
Produced and written by Madeleine Parr
Sound design by Simon Panayi
Artwork by Jon Hill
The editor is Jasper Corbett

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A verdict | Lucky Boy update
27/08/2026 | 4 mins.
For the last three weeks, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou has been following the trial of Sally Anne Bowen, the teacher at the centre of Tortoise Investigates’ podcast series Lucky Boy, first released in 2025. Following the jury’s verdict, Chloe calls producer Gary Marshall to break the news.

Lucky Boy is an original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer, originally published in 2025.

Episodes one is available for all listeners. To access the rest of the series, ad-free, subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or subscribe to The Observer for access to all our podcasts and newsletters seven days a week, plus puzzles, recipes and Culture Club. Use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription.

Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou
Producer - Gary Marshall
Sound design - Hannah Varrall
Podcast artwork - Lola Williams
Executive producer - Basia Cummings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lucky Boys | Lucky Boy Ep4
27/08/2026 | 52 mins.
Sally Anne Bowen doesn’t want to speak about her relationship with Gareth, but it turns out there is a way of hearing her version of events. And after months of searching, Chloe gets a message from another ‘lucky boy’.

You can find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

Reported and produced by: Chloe Hadjimatheou and Gary Marshall

Sound design: Hannah Varrall

Podcast artwork: Lola Williams

Executive producer: Basia Cummings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The school | Lucky Boy Ep3
27/08/2026 | 41 mins.
Chloe hears from a former teacher who seems to support what Gareth believes - that there was a cover-up. And it’s still going on today.

You can find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

Reported and produced by: Chloe Hadjimatheou and Gary Marshall

Sound design: Hannah Varrall

Podcast artwork: Lola Williams

Executive producer: Basia Cummings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gareth | Lucky Boy Ep1
27/08/2026 | 38 mins.
Gareth spent years believing he was a lucky boy. He was the 14-year-old who got the attention of the attractive young science teacher. Now, decades later, he wants the truth to come out about the damage it’s caused him. But his story is not straight forward.

Episodes one is available for all listeners. To access the rest of the series, ad-free, subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or subscribe to The Observer for access to all our podcasts and newsletters seven days a week, plus puzzles, recipes and Culture Club. Use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription.

Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou
Producer - Gary Marshall
Sound design - Hannah Varrall
Podcast artwork - Lola Williams
Executive producer - Basia Cummings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About Careless | Tortoise Investigates

The home of investigative podcasts from Tortoise, from Sweet Bobby to Lucky Boy. Listen to the latest original series from Tortoise, including We call her Emma and The Mandelson files.To binge listen to all episodes today, ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 for 50% off an annual digital subscription.You'll get access to:This series and all our podcasts before anyone elseAd-free listeningA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineOr subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for access to this series and ad-free listening to Observer podcasts.Reporter - Chloe HadjimatheouProducer - Gary MarshallSound design - Karla PatellaPodcast artwork - Lola Williams & Eliza BournerExecutive producers - Jasper Corbett and Basia Cummings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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