Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we investigate the disturbing case of Mick Philpott, a man who transitioned from a tabloid caricature of the "benefits lifestyle" to a convicted mass killer. Known publicly for fathering 18 children and maintaining a polygamous household with his wife Mairead and mistress Lisa Willis, Philpott’s desire for control culminated in a tragedy that shocked the nation.

We break down the events of May 11, 2012, when a petrol-fueled fire at the family’s Derby home took the lives of six of Philpott's children. While the Philpotts initially held emotional press conferences portraying themselves as victims, police surveillance and forensic evidence revealed a cynical plot to frame Philpott's ex-mistress in a bid to win custody and maximize state benefits.

Key topics in this episode include:

• The Media Persona: Philpott’s history of defending his lifestyle on programs like The Jeremy Kyle Show and Ann Widdecombe Versus, where his domineering behavior toward women was already on display.

• A History of Violence: A look at Philpott's 1978 conviction for the attempted murder of a teenage girlfriend—whom he stabbed over a dozen times and shot with a crossbow—establishing a long-standing pattern of violence and misogyny.

• The "Rescue" Plot: How Philpott, his wife Mairead, and friend Paul Mosley planned the fire as a stunt to frame a rival and emerge as heroes, only for the blaze to spiral out of control.

• The Verdict: The investigation that exposed Philpott as a "psychopath" and "exhibitionist," resulting in a life sentence for manslaughter.