Ep4. Blackburn Ravers

Former boxing champion and proud Evertonian Tony Bellew delves into the brutal world of football hooliganism. At its height in the 1970s and 1980s, it was labelled ‘the English Disease,’ a time when violence on the terraces was as much a part of the game as a half-time Bovril. Bellew hears from those who lived for the trouble, the men and women whose Saturdays weren’t complete without a brutal punch-up.He speaks to the innocent victims caught up in the mayhem, the families of those who lost their lives at the hands of thugs, and the undercover police officers who risked everything to infiltrate some of England’s most notorious firms.He also explores how government crackdowns, tougher laws, and the introduction of all-seater stadiums helped bring an end to widespread hooliganism.Presenter: Tony Bellew Series Producer: Emma Forde Producer: Patrick Kiteley Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Development Producer: Holly Clemens Production Co-ordinator: Ellie Dover Assistant Commissioner: Lorraine Okuefuna & Sarah Green Commissioning Editor: Louise Kattenhorn Editor and Executive Producer: Carl Johnston

When Ecstasy and Acid House first swept Britain, a group of lives would be changed forever. One Story. Half real life. Half drama. Coming soon... Ecstasy: The Battle Of Rave.

The very first MDMA pills hit Britain. Ecstasy fuses with the music of Acid House - and four ordinary people's lives are changed forever. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

She's Mrs Ordinary now. But offer her an E, and she might just bite your hand off. All because there's a hole she has to fill... #BattleOfRaveAll characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use. Credits Performed by Meera Syal Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

In the music and drug underground of Manchester, the pills have changed everything - all helped along by a famous name. In the Acid House dives and clubs, a special romance begins. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

It started with a few bags of weed on the estate: but the pills turned it into a multinational operation. And the money... was mad. But so too was the life. #BattleOfRaveAll characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Performed by Ian Hart Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

Where do you get a million E's to bring into Britain? At the start, there was one answer: Amsterdam. And this is exactly how the deals were done. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use. Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

She doesn’t believe in God anymore - but behind the decks she was a messiah. When the dancefloor's fuelled by the pills though... the devil can come too close for comfort. #BattleOfRaveAll characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use. Credits Performed by Monica Dolan Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

An empty warehouse... a disused mill... the search is on for anywhere to rave, in the unlikeliest of towns. The technicolour Acid House revolution though will soon meet darkness. #BattleOfRave This podcast contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Presenter: Chris Warburton Series Producer: Emma Forde Additional Production: Nicola Dowling and Jane Andrews Sound Design: Sam Turner Digital: Eleanor Layhe and Alex Entwistle Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey

He saw the need to party - and the cash that could be made from raves. He'd hit it big on both, running parties for thousands every week. Until, as 88 turned to 89, the politicians got involved. #BattleOfRave All characters portrayed by the dramatic actors are fictional. This drama contains strong language and references to drug use.Credits Performed by Adrian Edmondson Written by Danny Brocklehurst Producer and Director: Gary Brown Sound Design and Mixing: Steve Brooke Editor and Executive Producer: Ciaran Tracey