The Rise and Fall of ... - 3. The Filth and the Fury

In just three months, the Sex Pistols went from unknowns to the most feared band in Britain. After headlining the infamous 100 Club Punk Festival, they landed a major-label deal with EMI and released their debut single, Anarchy in the UK.

Radio wouldn’t touch it, and record shops banned it. No matter, as within weeks the Pistols were on everyone’s lips… for an entirely different reason.

Episode 3 of The Rise and Fall of Sex Pistols focuses on one of the most notorious moments in British television history. A half-cut band. A smirking presenter. A live broadcast that shattered the illusion of polite British youth.

Within 24 hours, the headlines screamed “The Filth and the Fury!” and the nation erupted. Gigs were cancelled. Politicians raged. Record label shareholders revolted. EMI, who had only just signed the band, were already trying to distance themselves.

This was the moment Britain met punk at teatime… and it never recovered.

Episode 3 features archive interviews from: Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Cook and Malcolm McLaren

Presented by Gina Birch and Steve Lamacq

A BBC Audio Production

Published on Monday, 27th October 2025.

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