Introducing Gangster Presents: The Story of Ronnie Biggs
5/4/20262 min
How did a small-time carpenter with a minor and fumbled role in a 1963 violent heist become Britain’s most famous fugitive and - for many - an unlikely folk hero? From gangland tea boy to Brazilian playboy, this series recounts the controversial rollercoaster life of Ronnie Biggs in his own words, through previously unheard recordings.
Actor Daniel Mays, who portrayed the Great Train Robber in a major ITV drama, hosts the podcast, marking the 25th anniversary of Biggs’ return to Britain to face justice after 36 years on the run.
Listen first on BBC Sounds from May 7th, 2026.
A Peanut & Crumb production for Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsDanny Mays· Host0:00
[rock music] The house always wins, right?
Speaker 10:02
You don't regret the robbery itself, which was described by the judge as being inspired by vast greed.
Ronnie Biggs· Soundbite0:09
No, I'm totally involved in vast greed, I'm afraid.
Danny Mays· Host0:12
Well, not in this story.
Ronnie Biggs· Soundbite0:15
[rock music] As far as I'm concerned, I believe I've wiped the slate clean.
Danny Mays· Host0:20
Meet Britain's most wanted.
Speaker 30:22
He was just an inbred criminal, you know?
Danny Mays· Host0:24
[laughs] The gangland tea boy who became a Brazilian playboy punk rocker.
Ronnie Biggs· Soundbite0:28
I've read all about your performances, and I'm totally disgusted.
Speaker 40:32
So what about the train job?
Danny Mays· Host0:33
[laughs] An utter embarrassment to the establishment, as the man who couldn't be caught.
Speaker 50:39
You've got a bunch of working class men who are saying, "No, I'm not putting up with this any longer."
Ronnie Biggs· Soundbite0:43
What is the point of having extradition treaties if, instead of observing them, you send over a bunch of strong-armed men who kidnap somebody?
Speaker 10:53
Can you really look yourself in the eye, the eye, the eye?
Speaker 30:55
They've nearly toppled the whole government.
Danny Mays· Host0:57
A Robin Hood or unrepentant villain?
Speaker 10:59
There are few convicted criminals whose names divide people as fiercely as Ronnie Biggs. Gentleman jailbird or violent thug whose crime only seems less severe simply because of the passage of time.
Danny Mays· Host1:10
The Great Train Robber.
Speaker 41:12
This is it. This is it. This is it.
Speaker 51:15
Two police officers conversing, and one said to the other one, he says, "You're not gonna believe this," he said, "But somebody's just stolen a train."
Speaker 6· Soundbite1:21
[laughs] The first two coaches of the night mail train from Glasgow were stopped on this bridge, and £2.5 million were unloaded.
Ronnie Biggs· Soundbite1:29
It was all