Victoria Derbyshire's Unbelievable Britain

Pete Bennett became one of the most unforgettable winners in Big Brother history. He stormed to victory in 2006 after his humour, honesty and openness about living with Tourette’s charmed the nation. Whilst his sweet on air love story with Nikki Graham became of reality TVs iconic relationships. 

But behind the fame was a far more complicated story. From bullying to grief, the traumatic loss of a close friend and later the devastating loss of Nikki to anorexia, mental health struggles and the darker side of sudden celebrity.

In this episode of Unbelievable Britain, Pete opens up about the chaos of overnight fame, losing himself after the show, and finding purpose through music, creativity and performance. Plus, one of Pete's joyful creations makes a surprise appearance. 

Raw, funny and deeply honest, this is the untold story behind one of Britain’s most iconic reality stars.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Lewis was a pub landlord and father living an ordinary life when he caught a "cold." That cold was actually Strep A, that left him on the point of death, with a 1% chance of survival. To save his life surgeons amputated all four limbs and part of his face. But instead of giving up, he rebuilt himself in extraordinary fashion.

In this powerful episode of Unbelievable Britain, Alex opens up about the terrifying moment everything changed, the trauma his family endured, and the mindset that carried him through over 130 hours of surgery and years of rehabilitation.

Now an adventurer, campaigner and disability advocate, Alex has gone on to kayak Greenland, climb mountains, row across Britain and help transform the lives of amputees through the Alex Lewis Trust and FLOAT Foundation.

This is a story about survival, identity, resilience and what the human spirit is truly capable of.

For more information about the work Alex and The FLOAT Foundation carries out and how to support please visit www.the-alff.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malin Andersson shot to fame on Love Island, but away from the spotlight she was facing a far more difficult reality, including abusive relationships and sexual assault.

In this powerful episode of Unbelievable Britain, she opens up to Victoria Derbyshire about overcoming abuse, addiction, grief and the devastating loss of her daughter, and how she has rebuilt her life with purpose. From navigating intense public scrutiny to becoming a mother and finding strength in vulnerability, Malin speaks with honesty about resilience, healing and reclaiming control of her story.

If you or someone you know needs support:
📞 National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24/7): 0808 2000 247
🌐 https://refuge.org.uk/
🚨 If you are in immediate danger, call 999. You can use the Silent Solution if you can’t speak.

🔔 Follow & Subscribe to Victoria Derbyshire's Unbelievable Britain for more extraordinary stories told by the people who lived them.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Losing Her Sight to Inspiring Millions

Lucy Edwards, who went blind at 17 due to a rare genetic condition. "In that moment everything I knew had gone."

Lucy opens up about the moment everything changed, from trying to hold onto memories of her mum’s face to navigating a world that suddenly treated her differently. She speaks candidly about discrimination, her IVF journey, independence, and how she rebuilt her confidence to become one of the most influential disability advocates online.

After losing her sight, Lucy began sharing TikTok videos, building a following of 1.1 million, and growing her YouTube channel, ⁠@lucyedwards⁠, to over 800K subscribers, where she shares her lived experience and advocates for the blind and visually impaired community.

This is a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and redefining what your future can look like when everything is taken away.

🔔 Subscribe to Victoria Derbyshire's Unbelievable Britain for more extraordinary stories told by the people who lived them.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sherry Lever, widely recognised as the UK’s oldest professional dominatrix. At 74, Sherry (known professionally as Mistress Sofia) shares the incredible story of how a "wallflower" who once struggled to pay the mortgage transformed into an empowered leader in the world of BDSM.

In this episode, we explore:

The Transition: How Sherry went from a phone chat operator to running a professional "playroom" from her conservatory.

The Psychology of Kink: Why high-powered professionals from judges to surgeons seek out submission, and how Sherry views her role as a form of "unorthodox therapy."

Family Ties: The surprising story of how Sherry’s own daughter became her "driving force" and now works alongside her.

Debunking Myths: Sherry explains the difference between being a dominatrix and an escort, and why consent and "safe words" (like Sherry's favorite: "Jamaica") are the foundation of everything she does.

Empowerment at 70+: A powerful message on independence, finding your voice after three difficult marriages, and why Sherry has no plans to retire.Whether you're curious about the BDSM community or looking for an inspiring story of personal reinvention, Sherry’s journey is truly unbelievable.

🔔 Subscribe to Victoria Derbyshire's Unbelievable Britain for more extraordinary stories told by the people who lived them.

#VictoriaDerbyshire #UnbelievableBritain #BDSM #SherryLever #Documentary #Empowerment #humanstories
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices