n the final episode of this series of Hacks and Flaks, host Petrie and regular panellist Giles, welcomes two guests to the show, each with very different perspectives on how photographs are used to illustrate the news.In the studio is renowned photojournalist, Stefan Rousseau, who shares some amazing stories from his career with the Press Association, photographing world leaders, and what it's like to be in a room alone with Vladimir Putin.We also welcome EastEnders actor Lucy Benjamin back to the series, sharing some shocking truths of what it was like to be relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi pack, who even went as far as following her on her honeymoon.The team also look back at some notorious pap shots which have possibly broken brands and saved lives, although perhaps the subjects of the photographs may not agree.Thank you for joining us for the second series of Hacks and Flaks, if you enjoy the show, tell your friends and we'll see you next time - Goodbye for now! 

How has the world of sports journalism changed and adapted to the new realm of online news? Why are there fewer stories about the personal lives of sports personalities in the press? And what does the future hold for the world of sport and how it's reported?Sports reporter for the London Evening Standard, Nizaar Kinsella, joins Petrie, Andrew, and Giles, to talk about all of this and a whole lot more in today's episode of Hacks and Flaks, and we also find out what is going on behind the scenes in a world tightly controlled by sponsors, PR and international diplomacy.

This week's Hacks and Flaks welcomes a cast of thousands to the studio. Not only is our host Petrie, joined by regular panellists Andrew MacDougall, and Giles Kenningham, but we also have at least two ex-Prime Ministers, two wannabe PMs AND 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump....plus, comedian, and impressionist Matt Forde, who just so happens to have Trump, Johnson, Cameron, Corbyn and Starmer in his repertoire. As well as hearing about the new incarnation of TV political puppet show, Spitting Image, the team also discusses why there will always be a need and desire for such comedy, and we are also given some real-life moments from Giles and Andrew's careers which are beyond satire!

Why does a celebrity need someone managing their public relations?Can't they manage that themselves? Well, it would appear that's getting increasingly difficult in these days of trial by social media and a single tweet can ruin a carefully crafted reputation, potentially destroying a career.What can a PR do to stop the damage seeping in further?Can they keep a story out of the press?And why would a journalist do PR's bidding if they happen to be sitting on a solid gold scoop about their client?PR to the stars, Richard Dawes dropped into the studio, to tell us how he would deal with certain awkward situations and gives us an insight into what it's like to manage some of the biggest names in the music biz.As always, our host Petrie is on hand to ask the burning questions, and regular panellists Andrew and Mick share some occasions when the PR machine didn't quite roll in their favour.

Something tells me we're not in Kansas anymore Toto, as the team are frogmarched down the yellow brick road by this week's guest, editor of The Sunday Sport (yes, THAT Sunday Sport), Nick Appleyard.Where else can you hear the plight of a wronged monkey postman, get the inside scoop on a missing plane found on the moon, and read all about the sticky end of the overzealous hide and seek champ? Well, obviously – and quite rightly - nowhere else.In today’s show, Nick pulls back the curtain and allows us inside the secretive and frankly, baffling world of this great British institution. Our host Petrie wears the ruby slippers, as we and regular panellists, Andrew, Giles, and Mick are all friends of Dorothy in this tornado of an episode.

Today's Hacks and Flaks is an education, education, education, as we find out what goes on behind the scenes to produce a political speech. Whether it's supposed to be a rallying cry, resignation, or to talk pork markets, there are a myriad of purposes for them and reasons why they might be remembered.And who better to hear from than the man with the fastest PM acceptance and resignation turnaround in recent history, Asa Bennett, who was speech writer for former British PM, Liz Truss.As always, our host Petrie gets to the nub of the matter and finds out what a writer might do if the person giving the speech isn't blessed with natural charisma, or perhaps a penchant to bluster off-piste.Regular panellist Andrew MacDougall is also on hand to provide some anecdotes from his own career, and the team also look at the winners and losers of political speeches of times gone by.

In today's episode, the team pick away at some old war wounds as they recount incidents when they've had to rely on composing a 'killer statement' to avert trouble…but are there times when spin just isn't enough? And, what happens if, like regular panellist and resident 'hack', Mick Booker, you're at the receiving end of a statement in a bid to stop a story you KNOW to be true? As always, our host Petrie, wrangles some fantastic revelations from the panel about what happens behind closed doors between the politicians and the press.And we also find out which Hollywood A-Listers were hacked-off enough to write to Mick, who perhaps has a clairvoyant gift for spotting rifts in showbiz couples, after all, they certainly aren't saying 'I'll be there for you' now! 

In today's episode of Hacks and Flaks, what happens on tour doesn't stay on tour, as host Petrie welcomes journalist and presenter of 'Choppers Politics Podcast', Chris Hope to the show to talk about what really happens on political press trips.Chris and regular panellists, Giles and Andrew, all share stories of times they have accompanied Prime Ministers to foreign shores - and not all of those shores are friendly ones - as Andrew can attest, after having his BlackBerry hacked in China and needing to think of an escape plan, should he find himself stuck in Democratic Republic of the Congo.Giles recounts some awkward times when calming down an angry Prime Minister on a plane full of story-hungry journalists and the importance of being vigilant to the ever-present honey trap, and Chris talks about when he almost caused an international incident after some candid questioning of a foreign leader.But it's not all having to take afternoon tea with despots and looking for hidden cameras in your hotel room, sometimes you get to sneak off to a panda sanctuary or drink the plane dry on the way home .... 

In today's episode of Hacks and Flaks, host Petrie and her panel discusses how public inquiries, such as Leveson, continue to shape the news agenda and changed public tastes in the stories they want to read.As well as regular panellists, Mick Booker, Giles Kenningham, and Andrew MacDougal, we are also joined by Tom Anelay, who has worked on numerous public inquiries, including Grenfell and gives us an idea of why and when an inquiry is needed and how much work goes on behind the scenes to make them happen. Petrie also speaks to ex EastEnders actor, Lucy Benjamin, who speaks publicly for the first time about her own phone hacking ordeal and the far reaching effect it had on her relationship, career, mental health and why she began to even suspect her own family of selling stories about her to the tabloid press. TW: Discussion surrounding cases involving child murder are included in this episode.

Hacks and Flaks is back with another series of salacious insights from the worlds of politics and journalism. We start in toe curling style as our resident flaks and special guest, Dr Alastair Masser, recount some of the most awkward conversations they've had during their careers in government.What would you do if someone demanded you delay an airplane take-off because they were 'running late'? Is there an ideal way to tell someone that their dress sense makes them look like an idiot on the world stage? And how would YOU tell an MP that their personal hygiene was severely lacking?Well, our panel has had these cringeworthy conversations, so you don't have to. Instead, you can sit back and enjoy the schadenfreude as they share some of the most uncomfortable moments of their career with our host, Petrie. Enjoy! Next week on Hacks and Flaks:  Eastenders star, Lucy Benjamin speaks publicly for the first time about being a victim of the phone hacking scandal. Lucy also shares how not knowing where the stories about her were coming from impacted her relationship, job, and trust in her own family. EMAIL: [email protected] - Petrie Hosken PANEL - Giles Kenningham & Andrew MacDougallGUEST - Alastair MasserProduced by Amanda RedmanBrought to you by Trafalgar Strategy