The Voice Newspaper joins in the hunt to find out more about Redemption Man!
Who was he? Appeal issued to trace mystery ‘Redemption Man’ as podcast uncovers a hidden Windrush-era story.
Our Whicker winning podcast project of 2025 has caught the attention of the The Voice newspaper and they have joined podcast producer Chris Mitchell in his hunt to find out more about the illusive figure that was often seen wandering the streets of West London carrying the big white cross. Read the full article below.
Article published by The Voice UK Newspaper
A new podcast is aiming to highlight the life of a Guyanese man often seen carrying a cross across West London before he disappeared without explanation
He told The Voice: “I am currently working on Episodes 5 and 6 of the series, and I am making a fresh callout for information.
“If you recognise the man with the cross in the photos and had direct and regular interactions with him, I would love to hear from you.”
The podcaster is keen to speak to family, relatives, close friends and local community workers who worked in the Ladbroke Grove area.
Man with the cross
Mitchell also grew up in the area and says he first saw the man with the cross in 1998 and decided to give him a name.
He said: “I called him Redemption Man. He was a Black man with his head bowed and silently walking – the image has stayed with me ever since. Over the years, rumours swirled, but no one knew why he did what he did. I needed answers.
“Redemption Man’s story has not been heard. There are just a few blurry photos and a couple of short articles online. But when I spotted him in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, my curiosity reignited.”
After watching the TV series, Mitchell started researching for hundreds of hours digging through Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and the Wayback Machine.
He added: “With the help of my wife, we searched archives and official records. Slowly, details emerged: possible relatives, death certificates, and even a Guyanese boarding pass we believe belonged to him.
“The deeper we went, the clearer it became. This wasn’t just about a man who carried a cross. It was about history, trauma, and hidden truths in Black British life post-Windrush. I went from observing one’s pain to being confronted with my own.
“What began as a ‘local story’ is now a global reflection on grief, loss and the crosses we all carry through life.”
Unforgettable
Mitchell is creating the podcast series for Breaking Atoms and Unedited, and aims to uncover the life and legacy of the ‘Cross Man’, his real identity, and his tragic family life.
A synopsis of the series shared with The Voice, says: “The man with the cross walked the same streets where Kelso Cochrane was murdered, where the Mangrove 9 protested against police harassment and where millions of people convene every year for the Notting Hill Carnival.
“The story of this mystery man travels through space and time from Ladbroke Grove to Guyana and back to Liverpool. The series will spotlight a hidden chapter of the Windrush story that intertwines spirituality, resilience, and the evolving nature of London itself.”
In June 2025, Mitchell won first prize for the Redemption Man pilot and £15,000 in The Whickers Podcast Pitch at the Sheffield Doc Fest, coming out on top from over 100 entries from thirty countries.
The judges said about the Redemption Man story: “The premise of this podcast proposal is both original and haunting – and has the special quality of being particular and universal at the same time. It promises a journey deep into the story of a community as well as the life of an intriguing individual, and we realise with ambition, could make something incredibly special that could speak to a broad audience.”
If you have any information regarding the man with the cross, please contact Chris Mitchell by emailing: ch***@**************co.uk or connect with Chris on Instagram and Twitter: @superproducerchris
To listen to the Redemption Man pilot, visit: Redemption Man – Pilot Season