In the early 70s, Debbie Gayle was one of Britain’s most promising young ballerinas. At the age of 17, she was chosen to go to the Soviet Union and become the first Westerner to train at Russia’s finest ballet academy. It was a dream come true for her, but just a few months later, things took a near deadly turn for her. She made it out of the country thanks to a young girl named Natasha who she never saw or heard from again. In Finding Natasha, Debbie’s son Jake Warren – a journalist and podcaster – sets out to understand the story of his mum’s past, and to find the woman who saved...
In 2019, Loti Nambombe was on the brink of taking his own life. He was standing on the edge of Manchester's M60, ready to jump, when a passerby stopped and talked him down.
The night was a blur for Loti, and in the years that follow he tells people about the stranger who saved his life. Now,...
Published 11/12/24
Jake Warren explores a family myth about a mysterious woman in his mum’s past, and begins his search for her. Debbie Gayle recounts her difficult childhood and her dreams of ballet stardom.
Listen to Finding Natasha on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and...
Published 11/06/24