Spanish Practices

What was it like watching television in Franco's Spain? In this episode of Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain, John looks back at the early days of Spanish TV and the surprising influence of British favourites including Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, The Avengers, The Prisoner and Doctor Who. Plus, a personal encounter with Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson — and the day Lady Penelope and Parker turned up in a London radio studio. A nostalgic and humorous journey through Spanish television, British TV in Spain and life in 1960s Spain.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

A glamorous London television presenter. A deadly accident. Or the perfect murder? Your holiday audiobook from Spanish Practices. When a visit to the exclusive Lady Dorothy Boutique Hair Salon ends with a daytime television star being electrocuted, private detectives Horace Finch and Violet Hart are drawn behind the bright lights of Metrovision, London's weekday television station. Ruled by the charming cigar smoking Lord Arthur, Metrovision is a world of soaring egos, ruthless ambition and carefully guarded secrets. As the suspects multiply, Finch and Hart discover that everyone is performing a role... and someone is prepared to kill to protect the biggest secret of all. The Shocking Beehive is a gripping 1960s British detective mystery packed with vintage television nostalgia, suspense, humour and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of classic crime fiction, cosy mysteries, radio drama, Poirot and The Thursday Murder Club.

What was life really like inside Franco's Spanish prisons? As Busman's Holiday reached its dramatic conclusion, we step away from the beaches of the Costa del Sol and behind the walls of one of the darkest chapters in modern Spanish history. In this special episode of Spanish Practices, we explore the harsh reality of Spanish prisons under General Franco's dictatorship. Discover how political prisoners and ordinary criminals were treated, the role of the Catholic Church inside the prison system, the brutal interrogation methods reported by former detainees, and the terrifying reality of facing the death penalty in Franco's Spain. You'll also learn about the infamous garrote vil—Spain's historic method of capital punishment—and why tourists enjoying sunshine holidays in the 1960s rarely saw this hidden side of the country. This episode provides historical context for the gripping finale of our audio drama, Busman's Holiday, and reveals the Spain that existed beyond the holiday brochures. ⚠️ Listener Discretion Advised: This episode contains historical descriptions of torture, prison conditions and capital punishment that some listeners may find distressing. Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad? Warning contains historical descriptions of executions.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad?

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad?

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad?

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Busman's Holiday, Horace Finch, Violet Hart and Leslie Brown swap London's fog for the sunshine of Spain when a seemingly ordinary package holiday to Torremolinos takes an unexpected turn. Beneath the glamour of the Costa del Sol, espionage, murder and Anglo-Spanish secrets await, leading the trio from bustling beach resorts to the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, 1960s travel nostalgia, vintage Spain and intelligent detective adventures. Can Horace Finch solve the case before the holiday is over, or will this prove to be his first and most dangerous trip abroad?

Let me take you back sixty years to some of the first Package Holiday's to Spain, Malaga airport is nothing more than a terracotta roofed whitewashed building a rusty Pegaso coach takes you to your hotel, your bed is weirdly firm and breakfast is just coffe, rolls and jam. So much has changed. This is an introduction to another FREE Audiobook, while we take a little break, maybe walk across the non-existent border to Gibralter and get a meal deal from Morrisons. This story is called Busman's Holiday and it starts this Wednesday for five sizzling episodes.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break, so enjoy another FREE audiobook from The Marlborough Court Mysteries. In Dead Air, Horace Finch investigates murder, payola and pirate radio in swinging 1960s Britain. As Radio Rebecca battles to stay on air, a firebomb attack, a suspicious death and a chart record with a hidden secret lead Finch into one of his most dangerous investigations yet. Perfect for fans of classic British mysteries, vintage broadcasting and 1960s nostalgia. © 2026 Creative Radio Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. The Marlborough Court Mysteries and all associated characters, stories and audio productions are the intellectual property of Creative Radio Partnership Ltd and may not be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form without prior written permission.

Spanish Practices is taking a short summer break... but I didn't want to leave you without something to enjoy! So, for the next few weeks, I'm giving you a FREE audiobook – The Marlborough Court Mysteries. Join former Scotland Yard detective Horace Finch as he investigates a baffling murder beneath the streets of 1960s London in The Vicar's Last Confession. Expect classic British detective storytelling, Cold War intrigue, hidden conspiracies and plenty of Swinging Sixties atmosphere. Perfect listening by the pool, on the beach, or wherever your Spanish summer takes you. Normal Spanish Practices returns after the summer.