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Juano Diaz was taken in to care aged six, his mother was battling alcoholism and he wasn't being cared for. But Juano missed his mum and with no photos of her, he became obsessed by drawing her face so he wouldn't forget her. He was later adopted by a strict Catholic and Romany Gypsy family but when he came out as gay he was asked to leave. Now down-and-out on the streets of Glasgow, with his life spiralling, he started to search for his mother again. He would scan faces in the crowds, draw his own face to explore his features, feminise them to look more like his mum and soon he discovered his talent for portraiture. Today, he paints the faces of modern icons: Pharell Williams, Madonna, Vivienne Westwood. This would lead to artistic success and a very different lifestyle – including a friendship with Grace Jones and ultimately a whole new family.

Growing up in Mumbai in the 1960s, Rajani Pandit was always fascinated with finding out the ‘truth behind the surface’ of the world around her. Although this natural curiosity would often land her in trouble as a young woman in a traditional society, Rajani wouldn’t be deterred – she defied social norms to forge a career as India’s first female private detective. From marital problems to murder, Rajani’s Investigative Bureau has cracked thousands of cases across Mumbai, earning her the nickname the ‘Lady James Bond’ of India.

Darcus Beese grew up in 1970s west London, the son of British Black Panthers and activists Darcus Howe and Barbara Beese. His unique upbringing was often chaotic, but Darcus found solace listening to music and collecting vinyl. A job sweeping up at a posh hairdressers shortly after leaving school thrust Darcus into the company of socialites and tastemakers in the TV and music industries. This led him towards a career as an A&R scouting and signing talent for Island Records. Darcus rose from assistant to boss of the label, helping create iconic records and working with artists like Sugababes, Mumford & Sons, Sabrina Carpenter and the legendary singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Tommy Dixon

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(Photo: Cassette tape. Credit: Getty Images)