What's New April 8, 2022

Subject of Teacher’s Pet podcast set to stand trial

Reporter

Former Sydney teacher Chris Dawson – subject of award winning podcast The Teacher’s Pet – will face a criminal trial over the alleged murder of his wife Lynette almost 40 years ago.

The High Court today dismissed the 73 year old’s special leave application.

He’s now expected to stand trial next month.

The Teacher’s Pet won Best Australian Podcast for 2018 and swept the 2018 Walkley Awards, winning the Gold Walkley.

The podcast explores Lynette’s 1982 disappearance. To date, it is the only Australian podcast to go to #1 in the US, the UK, Canada and New Zealand.

Following its production, Chris Dawson was arrested.

The podcast has not been updated since last year due to sub-judice restrictions while Dawson’s appeal was being heard. It is now likely that more episodes will be published covering the impending trial.

The Teacher’s Pet was the brainchild of The Australian’s investigative reporter Hedley Thomas. Since the success of that program four years ago, News Corp Australia has established its own podcast division.

Del Fordham, Head of Audio for News Corp Australia said, “The Teacher’s Pet is a phenomenon as an investigative podcast, and set the standard for so many that have come after it. The Australian will continue to cover the trial of Chris Dawson through it’s award winning journalism and daily updates from Hedley Thomas on the The Australian’s news podcast called The Front”

Entries for the second annual Radio Today Podcast Awards open on May 3.