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How to watch BBC’s mysterious Panorama ‘special’ investigation next week

BBC representatives have yet to announce the subject of the forthcoming ‘Panorama’ special documentary

Nicole Vassell
Thursday 28 September 2023 10:31 BST
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Dispatches release trailer ahead of episode about Russell Brand’s ‘treatment of women’

A forthcoming edition of Panorama has sparked online discussion as people speculate over the subject of its investigation.

This week it was announced that the long-running BBC documentary series would air a new, hour-long episode on Monday 2 October.

However, the broadcaster has not provided any details of the film’s subject. Currently, the programme is simply listed with the title “Special” and does not include a description of the topics viewers can expect to see.

This follows Channel 4’s Dispatches programme airing an investigation that unveiled several allegations of sexual misconduct and assault against comedian Russell Brand.

The investigation, which was released earlier this month, was a joint project with TheTimes and The Sunday Times.

Brand was not revealed as being the subject of the documentary or the news specials in the days leading up to the release.

The former Big Brother’s Big Mouth host released a video denying the allegations against him hours before he was revealed as being at the heart of the broadcaster and publications’ scrutiny.

With Panorama’s new episode being similarly shrouded in mystery, social media users have speculated over whether the documentary will be of a similarly exposing nature.

BBC Broadcasting House (AFP via Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted BBC representatives for comment.

Recent previous Panorama episodes have featured the rise and fall of “crypto king” Sam Bankman-Fried, accusations of bullying and body shaming at two of the UK’s top ballet schools, and an in-depth look into the life of former nurse and convicted baby killer Lucy Letby.

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How to watch the forthcoming Panorama special

The untitled Panorama episode will air on BBC One on Monday 2 October at 9pm, and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer shortly afterwards.

First broadcast in 1953, it is the world’s longest-running television news magazine programme.

In its 70 years on screen, Panorama has been responsible for several high-profile documentaries. Most notably, the programme featured Princess Diana in conversation with Martin Bashir in 1995, in a special episode titled “An Interview with HRH The Princess of Wales”.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the Panorama special then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.

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