Main content

Held captive by a cult for 30 years

Katy Morgan-Davies was born into a cult in south London. For three decades she was held as a virtual prisoner until she was able to devise a way to get out.

Katy Morgan-Davies spent her entire life living as a virtual prisoner. She'd been born into a Maoist cult, ruled over by a domineering leader called Aravindan Balakrishnan, also known as AB or Comrade Bala. They'd lived not in some remote compound, but in the densely-packed streets of south London. After 30 years of life in the cult, Katy was able to devise her escape.

Swede Olle Strandberg broke his neck doing an acrobatic jump. Ten years later he reattempted the jump. But this time he did it suspended high in the sky by a hot air balloon.

There's a workshop in Naples, Italy, which is known for its umbrellas. Four generations of one family have poured their hearts into hand-crafting them. Outlook's Alessia Cerantola went to meet the Talaricos.

Image: Katy Morgan-Davies
Credit: BBC/Perry Images

Available now

53 minutes

Last on

Fri 8 Mar 201904:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 7 Mar 201912:06GMT
  • Thu 7 Mar 201916:06GMT
  • Thu 7 Mar 201918:06GMT
  • Thu 7 Mar 201921:06GMT
  • Thu 7 Mar 201923:06GMT
  • Fri 8 Mar 201904:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected