Episode 1 - Enter The Godfather

In 1970s Britain, Chinese-heritage migrants worked long hours in restaurants and takeaways to build their new lives. But as the diaspora established itself, the gangs they thought they’d left behind in Hong Kong began to follow, quietly feeding off the very people they claimed to protect.

Back in Hong Kong, Georgie Pai was already a senior member of Wo Shing Wo, one of the most feared Triad societies operating in the region's underworld. Triads are known for their rigid hierarchy, blood-sworn loyalty and reputation for ruthless enforcement. Georgie Pai travelled to the UK on a tourist visa and began working at his parents’ takeaway in Glastonbury. From there, he united scattered Triad factions around the country and recruited loyal foot soldiers. He built an extortion network targeting Chinese communities, with business owners ordered to pay protection cash. Those who refused were brutally punished.

Presenter - Livvy Haydock

Series Producer - Hayley Mortimer

Technical Producer – Richard Hannaford

Producers – Patrick Kiteley & Matt Toulson

Fixer in Hong Kong – Michelle Chan

Music – Andy Simms and Reliable Source Music

Journalism Assistants – Hattie Valentine & Ellie Dover

Commissioning producer: Sam Proffitt

Commissioning executive: Lorraine Okuefuna and Louise Kattenhorn

Commissioning editor: Richard Maddock

Editor and Executive Producer – Clare Fordham

Archive – The Cook Report: Meet The Triads (Central Television, ITV)