The Sun on Sunday
The Sun
They have broken many exclusive big stories that have led to national conversation and prompted replies and change in high up authorities and corporations, including the BBC Director General issuing an apology and an overhaul of Strictly Come Dancing's duty of care protocol.
This forensic and tenacious reporting of The Sun on Sunday (alongside its sister paper The Sun) led to Tim Davie the Director General and Britain's most powerful media figure, apologising to "anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly positive”. This unprecedented apology was the result of an almost year-long investigation that revealed a culture of misogyny at the heart of Strictly Come Dancing - the nation's most popular and treasured television show.
The Sun on Sunday’s Showbiz Editor Hannah Hope and Chief Reporter Scarlet Howes broke some of the biggest stories in the Strictly crisis this year in the Sunday paper - starting with the news that Amanda Abbingdon was suffering with PTSD following her stint on Strictly, which was followed by numerous other stories including multiple stars summit lining up a lawyer, an exclusive interview with Amanda detailing the abuse, shocking detail that a BBC executive had called his behaviour “unacceptable” while the show was on air, followed up by the news that another Strictly dancer Graziano had been sacked from the show as we revealed there had been shocking video evidence of the physical abuse of partner Zara McDermott. This was an investigation led by female journalists into the experience of female contestants of male dancers revealing the power they hold, but also the abuse of it.
Revealing this story had many challenges, as many were afraid to speak on the record, fearing a public backlash and the withdrawal of future work - which indeed was the case with Amanda Abbington when she spoke out.
As female reporters they have gained confidence of female contestants, giving them a voice - either first person, or via trusted third party confidantes - to raise their concerns which has provided tangible results making the show safer for women.
Another challenge was the BBC itself, refusing to comment or confirm any internal probe - imploring people not to speculate on “rumours”. This investigation dominated the news agenda. It was a rare story with cut-through not only in every other tabloid, magazine and broadsheet newspaper but also television news.
Other showbiz exclusives proved to be right were Nigel Farage entering the jungle in a huge money deal, as well as Ashley Cain being a dad again, a story that broke the nation’s hearts following the tragic death of his first child.
The Sun on Sunday also revealed that Metropolitan Police officers and staff had been hacked in a massive security breach highlighting the weakness of national security systems which could have had disastrous results by the wrong hands.
Exclusive Royal stories have included King Charles removing Prince Andrew's security and the Princess of Wales lunch with the King after her cancer diagnosis - both of which have been extensively pickuped by rival media organisations. The Sunday paper's interview with Jermaine Jenas saw him reveal he had been stopped by the BBC from apologins to victims and called their handling of the scandal shocking. The Sunday paper has also followed the twists and turns on the front page of major breaking stories including the war in Gaza, the riots and the Euros.