Codename Badger

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In 1955 young army major Robbie Mills dies, disembarking a submarine docked at Torbay Harbour in Devon.

His superiors say he was drinking and slipped from the gangplank in inclement weather. His widow, Josephine, has no reason to disbelieve them. But within weeks a man knocks on her door. He introduces himself as Captain John Cottell, and he tells Josephine that Robbie’s death was no accident, and Robbie was a spy.

It’s a meeting that will change Josephine’s life forever.

Now journalists Eugene Henderson and Andy Clark help Josephine’s daughter Nicky solve a mystery that has spanned five decades. Who was John Cottell? And what really happened to her father?

Episode's out weekly from Tuesday 20th January.

For more true crime that you'll be obsessed with head to AlwaysTrueCrime.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last refreshed: March 12th, 2026 at 10:45 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Bonus: The Making Of Codename Badger

In this bonus episode of Codename Badger, presenter Eugene Henderson and producer Andy Clark go behind the scenes of the podcast’s creation. Hear additional details from the investigation that didn’t make it into the main series. They discuss how they first uncovered the story of John Cottell, the challenges of researching a case that spanned more than 70 years, and how they shaped decades of mystery, deception, and evidence into a six part series. Plus, psychologist Dr Drew Curtis, an expert in...

Mar 03, 2026•34 min•Season 1Ep. 7

In Too Deep

Josephine is bankrolling John’s increasingly expensive legal battles, but her own health is failing her. Her family move in to care for her…and confront John. This is the first time anyone’s questioned him to his face, and the consequences are disastrous. Nikki cares for her mother as she slips deeper into dementia, still waiting for her spy to give her the answers she has waited a lifetime for. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d li...

Feb 24, 2026•37 min•Season 1Ep. 6

John’s Prayer

Josephine has moved to the tiny, mountainous country of Andorra. There she waits for John, who’s embarked on a new career path. But Josephine’s family are becoming increasingly anxious, their mother is alone in a foreign country, and she’s withdrawing large amounts of money for mysterious reasons. Her bank manager contacts Nikki, concerned. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Pa...

Feb 17, 2026•25 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Elephant Hotel

Who is John Cottell? Eugene and Andy find answers about John’s wartime experiences and military career. We find his service record and finally get to the bottom of the death of Major Robbie Collins in 1955, Meanwhile, Josephine comes to America. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Producer: Ail...

Feb 10, 2026•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Out in the Cold

John is a rising star in the US with his tales of espionage and survival, he even has a book deal on the horizon. But it’s all about to come crashing down. So why are journalists on both sides of the Atlantic out to get John? And what will he do next? To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LINK. If you’d like to binge the whole series now you can subscribe on Patreon. Presenter: Eugene Henderson Producer: Eugene Henderson, Andy Clark Executive Produce...

Feb 03, 2026•26 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Poison Tooth

John Cottell has retired from his job with MI6 and started a new life in America. Now he’s free to talk about his harrowing wartime experiences, and his dangerous missions as a spy. John was receiving orders straight from Prime Minister Winston Churchill, narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions and found love with a fellow spy. Meanwhile Josephine remains in Devon, but his part in her life isn’t over yet. To see photos of John Cottell, Josephine and access exclusive archive visit PATREON LI...

Jan 27, 2026•24 min•Season 1Ep. 2

The Stranger

In 1955 Josephine Mills’ husband Robbie dies suddenly, leaving her the single parent to four young children. But just weeks after his death a stranger arrives at her door, to tell her that Robbie was murdered, and that he had been working for the intelligence services. It’s a conversation that will change the course of Josephine, and her children’s, whole life forever. John was held prisoner by the Nazis in wartime and he’s still carrying the scars - both physical and mental, and Josephine is ha...

Jan 20, 2026•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Introducing Codename Badger

In 1955 young army major Robbie Mills dies, disembarking a submarine docked at Torbay Harbour in Devon. His superiors say he was drinking and slipped from the gangplank in inclement weather. His widow, Josephine, has no reason to disbelieve them. But within weeks a man knocks on her door. He introduces himself as Captain John Cottell, and he tells Josephine that Robbie’s death was no accident, and Robbie was a spy. It’s a meeting that will change Josephine’s life forever. Now journalists Eugene ...

Dec 10, 2025•2 min

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