Summary4 min read

Episode Summary: The Spy Who – Listen Now: I Am Not Nicholas

Podcast: The Spy Who (Audible)
Episode Date: July 21, 2026
Host: Jane McSorley (Guest journalist)
Theme: The astonishing real-life story of a fugitive’s double life and the blurred lines of identity, law, and truth.

Overview

In this episode, journalist Jane McSorley introduces listeners to her gripping podcast investigation, "I Am Not Nicholas." The focus: a bizarre international case centering on a man arrested in a Glasgow hospital, accused of being American fugitive Nicholas Rossi—wanted for rape in Utah—but who insisted he was Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan. The story unravels questions of identity, deception, and the unpredictability of the human element at the heart of espionage and manhunt stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery of the Story

Jane McSorley explains how she first encountered the case on the morning news in January 2022 and was immediately drawn in by its “unbelievable” nature.
- “A man had been arrested in a Glasgow Covid ward. Police were saying he was a fugitive called Nicholas Rossi... But he was claiming to be an Irish orphan called Arthur Knight.” (00:13)
The story turned into a four-and-a-half-year investigation.
- “Would you believe I ended up following this story for over four and a half years?” (00:26)

2. Early Investigation & Initial Doubts

Jane sets the investigative tone, showing the persistence and intrigue involved in her work.
- “I was seeing this as months and months of work.” (00:38)
- Doorstepping potential witnesses: “You just don't know what's going to happen when somebody answers that door.” (00:48)
Key moments highlight the disbelief and shock from those familiar with Nicholas/Arthur.
- Female witness (unnamed): “Oh. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. He's not dead. No way. I knew he was still alive. I knew right away. It was very strange. It was very strange. He would lock me in the upstairs bathroom. All I had was the running water. He has never hurt me, never touched me. He doesn't abuse me.” (00:52–01:10)

3. Public Confusion and the Question of Identity

Jane and others grapple with the scale and complexity of the identity confusion.
- “A case of mistaken identity. I mean, what on earth is going on? It really is an unfortunate situation. I cannot get my head around the magnitude of this.” (01:11)
The story’s magnitude and impact highlighted.
- “It is beginning to become a storm.” (01:16)

4. The Fateful Court Appearance

Jane recounts her plan to see Arthur Knight/Nicholas Rossi in person at his bail hearing—a pivotal moment in her investigation.
- “Top of my list when I start work on the story in January 2022 is I want to see this man, Arthur Knight. Well, he claims to be Arthur Knight, an innocent Irishman living in Glasgow. The US authorities say he is really an American fugitive called Nicholas Rossi.” (01:18)
Colorful, memorable court scene described:
- Arrival: “Arthur Knight is wheeled in. He was in a wheelchair and he had burgundy pajamas on. He had a burgundy matching dressing gown and he even had a burgundy cloth covering his entire head so you could not see his face. It was just like this burgundy mass on wheels.” (01:33–01:48)
- Personal impression: “So it was just that first image of him. I was blown away.” (01:48)
- Group reaction: “I was with a group of journalists and we're all looking at each other thinking, what on earth is this story? What on earth is this man all about?” (01:49)

5. Observations from the Courtroom

Jane details the frail appearance and erratic courtroom conduct of Knight/Rossi:
- “He's 34. He looks like he could be 64. He's small, he's round, he's hunched over. He's got greasy lank hair. He's got this beard that's peppered with gray. He's very pasty white. He's got these round black John Lennon style glasses.” (02:17)
Disruptive behavior highlighted:
- “He had complete disrespect for the court proceedings. He repeatedly, repeatedly interrupted the prosecutor, his own lawyer, and shockingly, the sheriff, the sheriff, the judge.” (02:30)
- Repeated denials: “He asks him, are you Nicholas Rossi? And he said, no, I'm Arthur Knight. And then he continued unabated. And he was told off by the sheriff at least twice, if not three or four times.” (02:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Jane McSorley: “I immediately thought, this is unbelievable.” (00:10)
Anonymous witness: “Oh, my God. He's not dead. No way. I knew he was still alive.” (00:52)
Jane McSorley: “It was just this burgundy mass on wheels.” (01:47)
Jane McSorley: “He had complete disrespect for the court proceedings. He repeatedly interrupted... and shockingly, the sheriff.” (02:31)

Important Timestamps

00:10 — Jane discovers the case and shares her disbelief.
00:52 — Witness reacts to Arthur Knight’s reappearance.
01:33 — Vivid courtroom scene; Arthur Knight’s dramatic appearance detailed.
02:17 — Descriptive physical and behavioral account of Arthur Knight/Nicholas Rossi.
02:40 — Knight’s repeated denials and disruption in court.

Conclusion

Jane’s introduction serves as both a teaser for the larger series "I Am Not Nicholas" and a window into the surreal, high-stakes world where truth and identity are fiercely contested. The episode blends detailed observation, immersive storytelling, and authentic quotes to pull listeners into the heart of an international manhunt and an intractable mystery—the perfect setup for anyone intrigued by real-life detective work and the shadows within the world of intelligence.

To hear the full story and its resolution, McSorley invites listeners to stream the complete series.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
Hi, I'm journalist Jane McSorley and I'm about to play you a clip from my podcast, I am not Nicholas. I came across this story as I was scrolling the morning News back in January 2022, and I immediately thought, this is unbelievable. A man had been arrested in a Glasgow Covid ward. Police were saying he was a fugitive called Nicholas Rossi, who was wanted for rape in Utah. But he was claiming to be an Irish orphan called Arthur Knight. I thought, I really want to look into this. And would you believe I ended up following this story for over four and a half years? Here's a taster. I wanted to ask if you knew the American man that lived here. I was seeing this as months and months of work. Hello, my name is Jane McSorley. Do you have just a few minutes now? And it has become practically a year. You just don't know what's going to happen when somebody answers that door. Oh. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. He's not dead. No way. I knew he was still alive. I knew right away. It was very strange. It was very strange. He would lock me in the upstairs bathroom. All I had was the running water. He has never hurt me, never touched me. He doesn't abuse me. A case of mistaken identity. I mean, what on earth is going on? It really is an unfortunate situation. I cannot get my head around the magnitude of this. It is beginning to become a storm. Top of my list when I start work on the story in January 2022 is I want to see this man, Arthur Knight. Well, he claims to be Arthur Knight, an innocent Irishman living in Glasgow. The US authorities say he is really an American fugitive called Nicholas Rossi. I hear he's due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court a few days later for a bail hearing. The court is just a 10 minute bike ride away from my house and I'll be there. It was just the most unbelievable sight. I was outside the courtroom, Arthur Knight is wheeled in. He was in a wheelchair and he had burgundy pajamas on. He had a burgundy matching dressing gown and he even had a burgundy cloth covering his entire head so you could not see his face. It was just like this burgundy mass on wheels. He had socks on, he had no slippers on. So it was just that first image of him. I was blown away. I was with a group of journalists and we're all looking at each other thinking, what on earth is this story? What on earth is this man all about? So then we all get into the courtroom. He's got at least two paramedics there, there Must have been prison officers there. And Miranda, his wife, was there and the cloth is gone from his head. Clearly Arthur Knight wasn't well. You know, he'd had Covid very badly and he was in and out of intensive. He had a mask covering his nose and his mouth. He had oxygen going into his mask. He's 34. He looks like he could be 64. He's small, he's round, he's hunched over. He's got greasy lank hair. He's got this beard that's peppered with gray. He's very pasty white. He's got these round black John Lennon style glasses. He had complete disrespect for the court proceedings. He repeatedly, repeatedly interrupted the prosecutor, his own lawyer, and shockingly, the sheriff, the sheriff, the judge. And it started from the outset. He asks him, are you Nicholas Rossi? And he said, no, I'm Arthur Knight. And then he continued unabated. And he was told off by the sheriff at least twice, if not three or four times. So that's how it started. But are you curious to know how it ends? Follow I am Not Nicholas on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts for series one and series two. I am not the Trials. You can binge all episodes early and ad free by joining Audible on the Audible app or Apple Podcasts.