Rishi Sunak’s fireside chat with Elon Musk following the UK’s AI Safety Summit has been criticised as a PR disaster for the Prime Minister. But was it really a fan-hitting moment for him? Or just a vision of the future new world order? Also, as Robert de Niro is in court in the US battling out a very public spat with his former assistant, David Yelland and Simon Lewis discuss the often hidden role of litigation PR. And the controversy surrounding the Marks and Spencer Christmas ad – is sorry always the best way to avoid a fan-hitting moment? Plus reverse ferrets, bear traps and lonely sheep…Producer: Eve Streeter
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: William Miller
Researcher: Sophie Smith
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur production for BBC Radio 4

The King’s PR, Shell and a million-dollar handbag

When It Hits The Fan takes you behind the headlines and into the high-stakes world of power, influence and reputation. Each week, it unpacks the PR playbook used by some of the world's most powerful people and asks how the hidden hand of the communications industry shapes what you see, hear and believe. Hosts David Yelland and Farzana Baduel dive into the week's biggest media storms, scandals and corporate crises, revealing how PR disasters unfold in real time. From political controversies to celebrity missteps and brand meltdowns, they trace where the story began, how it spiralled, and who ended up in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Bringing sharp insight and insider knowledge.David Yelland is the former editor of The Sun and Farzana Baduel is an award-winning communications strategist and crisis management specialist. Together, they draw on decades of frontline experience shaping narratives, handling reputational firestorms and understanding what really drives the news cycle.