The Guardian launches ‘Can I tell you a secret?’

Can I tell you a secret? is a new six-episode audio investigation that explores the story of Matthew Hardy, a prolific cyberstalker who terrified people in his home town and beyond for over a decade.

The Guardian is today launching ‘Can I tell you a secret?’ a new six-part podcast series exploring the case of Matthew Hardy, a man who for over a decade stalked women online, wreaking havoc in their lives, and the lives of their friends and families.

Hardy’s harassment would often start in the same way, a fake profile posing as a young woman with a simple message: “Hey hun, can I tell you a secret?”

The Guardian's first ever standalone true-crime podcast series, hosted by Guardian journalist Sirin Kale, examines Hardy’s relentless campaign of fear, through exclusive and deeply personal interviews with his victims and people who know him.

Sirin Kale, Guardian journalist and podcast host:

“I've written about stalking throughout my career and thought, probably naively, that there was very little that could shock me. The case of Matthew Hardy is one I still struggle to wrap my head around, even now. How did Hardy manage to go on for so long and torment so many people? What motivated him to do it? And - most importantly for his victims - is he likely to stop? We explore all of these questions and many more, in Can I tell you a secret?”

Find out how the story ends - all six podcast episodes are available for listening from today:

Can I tell you a secret?

Can I tell you a secret?

Can I tell you a secret? is a six-episode audio investigation that explores the story of Matthew Hardy, a prolific cyberstalker who terrified people in his home town and beyond for over a decade.

No. of episodes: 10
Latest episode: 2024-03-02
Creator: The Guardian

Listen here →