Sam Collyns (@samcollyns) header
Sam Collyns (@samcollyns) profile picture

Sam Collyns

@samcollyns

BAFTA/Emmy/Grierson winner. New: Theresa May: The Accidental PM; The MI5 Spy and the IRA; Britain’s Torture Playbook. Old: The Day Mountbatten Died; Secret Iraq

 UK
Joined February 2011
  • Tweets404
  • Following488
  • Followers743
18Media
Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)Photo by Sam Collyns (@samcollyns)
Sam Collyns retweeted
Roger Mosey (@rogermosey) profile picture
Roger Mosey@rogermosey16 Dec 2025
The #Dimbleby series on the monarchy for the BBC has been terrific. Right to raise the big issues, and driven by a marvellous performance from David: shrewd and sharp.
3
2
14
1,387
David Dimbleby has raised an uncomfortable question: is it just possible that our royal family is....plain greedy ?prospectmagazine.co.uk/world…
The King and Prince William must open the books on their enormous riches

The King and Prince William must open the books on their enormous riches

The senior royals have amassed a great fortune without any scrutiny. For most of their subjects, these are testing financial times—we must have transparency

prospectmagazine.co.uk
258
873
63
3,154
136,083
theguardian.com/tv-and-radio…
What’s the Monarchy For? review – David Dimbleby’s demolition of the royals is hugely entertaining

What’s the Monarchy For? review – David Dimbleby’s demolition of the royals is hugely entertaining

Now he’s free of the BBC, he’s gone combative. He drives a horse and cart through a piece of Dominic Grieve sophistry, and tries his best to skewer the institution based around a jewelled velvet hat

theguardian.com
2
1
5
3,557
David Dimbleby’s excellent What’s the Monarchy For? has one glaring omission – review independent.co.uk/arts-enter…
David Dimbleby’s excellent What’s the Monarchy For? has one glaring omission – review

David Dimbleby’s excellent What’s the Monarchy For? has one glaring omission – review

The broadcaster drills down into the royal family’s power and finances – and how far they will go to maintain public support

independent.co.uk
2
1
270
Sam Collyns retweeted
Ben Dowell (@BenDowell) profile picture
Ben Dowell@BenDowell2 Dec 2025
What’s the Monarchy For? review — David Dimbleby is off the leash thetimes.com/article/912f9b9…
1
1
238
Excellent first episode of David Dimbleby's series on the monarchy. He's pretty critical of Charles over the famous spider letters. Did a touch of sibling rivalry with brother Jonathan (a pal of Charles) in the Dimbleby Dynasty play a role? bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m…
What's the Monarchy For?

What's the Monarchy For?

Power, money and influence - the monarchy is at the heart of our national life. David Dimbleby takes a personal look at its role and its future in a changing world.

bbc.co.uk
14
10
56
13,110
Last night I watched the first ep of #Whatsthemonarchyfor on @BBCOne with the legendary David Dimbleby (still a cheeky twinkle). A welcome return with a 3-parter on the Royals starting with the power they wield. Is the King as vocal as when he was Prince? Stellar guests too! 8/10
Image from Simon Greening (@simongreening)
1
1
230
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Daily Mail ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Times ‘Harford’s guide to fixing the economy is elegant & simple’ The Telegraph Watch #Skint: The Truth About Britain’s Broken Economy with @TimHarford now on @Channel4
4
4
10
1,536
Must MUST watch: Channel 4 ‘Skint: The Truth About Britain’s Broken Economy with Tim Harford (started 9pm Monday 1st) devastating analysis of devastating Tory Gov’t failure since 2010. Why have we put up with crap frankly wrong decisions?
1
5
10
667
#Skint laid bare the truth about Britain's broken economy @Channel4, using statistics to devastating effect. Our performance has lagged well behind comparable countries. Sunak in this election simply offering more of the very prescriptions that have landed us in the current mess.
2
23
1
41
1,219
Sam Collyns retweeted
birder (@DavidBurt8) profile picture
birder@DavidBurt81 Jul 2024
#C4's #skint programme is fascinating... one of the best I have seen in ages ... explains why the UK is broken, starting with Thatcher, the bank crisis, 14 years of tory government, brexit ... compulsory viewing @UKLabour
2
7
25
861
Sam Collyns retweeted
Andrew Brown (@adb235) profile picture
Andrew Brown@adb2351 Jul 2024
#skint on C4 tonight is a must watch
Rogan Productions (@RoganProduction) profile pictureRogan Productions@RoganProduction1 Jul 2024
On @channel4 tonight at 9pm, leading economist @TimHarford cuts through the lies and half-truths of the election by revealing the truth behind the UK’s broken economy in our quick turnaround film Skint: The Truth About Britain’s Broken Economy. #Skint #TimHarford #UKElection2024
Image from Rogan Productions (@RoganProduction)
2
3
483
Replying to @TimHarford
@TimHarford Tim should be our new PM. Everyone entitled to vote should watch #skint on Channel 4.
1
5
198
#skint excellent analysis so far….
1
2
3
502
Sam Collyns retweeted
Gerwyn (@gerwyn) profile picture
Gerwyn@gerwyn1 Jul 2024
Fascinating programme right now on C4 Skint: The Truth about Britain's Economy channel4.com/programmes/ski…
1
4
909
If an election isn’t enough politics for you this looks likely to be a fascinating history of the woman who led the country 4 PMs and 5 years ago. It’s made by @samcollyns who I started my career with at the BBC (🤫 I know it’s on the other side)
Image from Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson)
15
9
4
106
52,115
This inspiring new documentary by @fergalkeane47 is a very timely reminder of why we should cherish the BBC. With rare empathy & sensitivity it captures the extraordinary dignity & resilience of people across Britain experiencing real hardship. Try and watch it on @BBCiPlayer 👇
Image from Douglas Alexander (@D_G_Alexander)
15
10
2
54
7,258
Sam Collyns retweeted
Iain Pope (@iainpope73) profile picture
Iain Pope@iainpope7325 Mar 2023
Peter Taylor is the real deal. Peerless. What a journalist. MI5 spy reveals secret 'unauthorised' IRA talks bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65038587
2
1
13
1,359
Don't miss: The MI5 Spy and the IRA: Operation Chiffon – tonight BBC 2, 19:00 (21:50 in Northern Ireland) and on BBC iPlayer at 1900.
BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) profile pictureBBC Breaking News
@BBCBreaking25 Mar 2023
MI5 spy tells BBC how his secret talks with IRA helped pave the way for historic peace deal bbc.in/40mK8La
MI5 spy reveals secret 'unauthorised' IRA talks

MI5 spy reveals secret 'unauthorised' IRA talks

The officer who helped bring peace to Northern Ireland tells the BBC he defied orders from the government.

bbc.co.uk
3
3
3
6
5,773
The legendary Peter Taylor reveals that the MI5 officer who met the IRA did so after being ordered to stop in the aftermath of the Warrington bomb. He freelanced further by dangling the prospect of a United Ireland. This is how history is made. Watch tonight at 7 pm on @BBCTwo
Image from Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson)
5
15
5
63
42,774
Load more