Click took a moment to talk scary movies, ectoplasm and haunted houses with Derek Acorah, the UK’s No. 1 Spirit Medium and star of cult TV programme 'Most Haunted' ahead of his one-man live tour.
Derek is the resident medium for Living TV’s 'Most Haunted,' in which he investigates haunted properties, reaching audiences in excess of 2million.
His personal popularity rose to such an extent that he moved on from ‘Most Haunted’ and had his own show on Living TV, ‘Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns.’
Derek's work has taken him worldwide and includes a quest to find Guy Fawkes and the series ‘Paranormal Egypt.’
He has written six books, including bestseller ‘The Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah’ and ‘Ghost Hunting with Derek Acorah’ followed by ‘Derek Acorah – Haunted Britain.’
Derek went on to write ‘Derek Acorah’s Ghost Towns’to accompany the TV series, 'Derek Acorah’s Amazing Psychic Stories' and ‘Extreme Psychic’ which made it onto The Sunday Times Best Sellers list.
You used to play for LFC back in the day, have you ever read for any football players or WAGs?
In my day in the past, I read for different players, though they wouldn't like me to name them.
Do you get scared by any readings or investigations?
I've had a few moments where I've had to step back and take stock of what's happening. While shooting Most Haunted we cover a lot of locations. The scariest was in Pendle, which is a notorious spot for hauntings. Eight witches had not moved on. Every person on the show from the technicians to the makeup artist was terribly affected. Someone was thrown to the floor, the spirits had not moved on and were still in the atmosphere. It was a real startler. I was glad to leave when filming came to an end.
We've filmed in many different countries from Holland to the US and every investigation is different, there are never any scripts. It made the show what it was and became a cult TV programme.
Can the dead harm you?
I'm often asked this. Can they kill you? Can the spirits cause you death? The simple answer is 'no.' They can dishevel you, the most they are capable of is drawing blood. Crew have been marked and cut while filming. And I've had members of the team baiting spirits and the people in the atmosphere, I'd warned them and told them not to. The spirits pick up on other's emotional feelings.
Is it hard to keep staff then?
On each investigation the team needs to be made up of people who have respect for spirits, we get better results that way. One in fifteen times we are called out to a location and nothing will happen - but you won't see that on Most Haunted. I had one presenter - naming no names - who was cursing and swearing at the spirit people which wasn't good.
Have you ever lived in a haunted house?
I've lived in a haunted heavenly house, yes. For six years before now, and 15 years before that. I get visited by people I've known, my grandma, friends and my house is open for them to 'visit.'
Do you watch scary movies or movies about ghosts? What's your favourite scary movie?
I enjoyed Ghost because of the way it was made. They consulted a medium. And the terminology in the Sixth Sense was a true reflection. It reminds me of when I was young and saw my grandpa who had passed, I was only six at the time.
Have you watched 'Medium' with Patricia Arquette? What did you think?
I've watched it a few times, it's a good portrayal, she's a very good actress. I've no qualms about Medium, it's a good programme.
Have you experienced ectoplasm? What is it?
Generally, ectoplasm is seen and experienced when a medium is allowing a spirit to form around their nose and ears, it takes the figure of a spirit person and can be seen by others. It's only practised by invited people, maybe 20 people in the company of a medium who goes into trance called physical mediumship.
It can be dangerous, everyone is instructed and privileged to sit, and they are warned not to approach or touch the medium while performing.
There was a case of one lady who ran toward the medium while she was in trance and caused her heart failure.
Have you performed physical mediumship, would you like to in the future?
I've not done physical mediumship yet. I want to do it in the future, it's more thorough evidence of the spirits.
What do you think about the claims that the TV show is fake?
There are a small minority of non-believers. But there's been a big shift in what people believe and feel. It doesn't bother me one iota, and won't stop me from working. It makes me strive to work harder. I don't criticise them for their way of thinking.
What do you enjoy most about performing at live shows compared to investigations?
I look for the excitement in people's eyes when I connect them with a loved one. The tears of joy when a loved one comes through. It's that longing and confirmation that they're alright. You can see that mother's love, it's very emotional, and lights up that person's eyes. I love to see their reactions.
What's next for you Derek?
I'm writing the next book, it'll be ready for spring next year. I'm going to America for a big Halloween investigation in the famous Salem. I've wanted to do it for years, I've filmed for both US and UK TV and I'll be doing live theatre shows in New York. For some American investigations we'll be taking members of the public with me.
Like a scary sleepover?
Yes. We'll give them the opportunity to experience it for themselves. I've done it twice in Scotland. We vet all members before they join us. During the 'sleepover' each member has designated tasks and I talk them through each one and give them personal protection. We'll have 40 to 50 in a group. It's all conducted in the dark and it's going to be exciting. I explain to them to say out loud what they are experiencing.
Have you got any tips on how we can explore the spirit world for ourselves?
You can sit in the quiet of your own home and think of the loved ones that have passed on. And if you want more proof it's a good idea to form a group of four to six people and get permission to go to a haunted location. One has to be the leader. When you can go to these places there's a likelihood you'll experience phenomena, and each person will have a different experience. You may all glimpse something or someone will see something, another may sense of hear phenomena. That way you can get to the bottom of it.
Tour dates:
AUGUST
29 THE THEATRE ROYAL, ST HELENS
30 THE SOUTHPORT THEATRE, SOUTHPORT
SEPTEMBER
12 BABBACOMBE THEATRE, BABBACOMBE
16 CIVIC THETRE, DARLINGTON
17 BRITANNIA PIER, GT YARNMOUTH
18 THE CORN EXCHANGE, BEDFORD
19 & 20 THE WYLOTTS CENTRE, POTTERS BAR
OCTOBER
3 COLISEUM, OLDHAM
8 MUNICIPAL HALL, COLNE
10 WINTER GARDENS, MARGATE
11 THE CAPITOL, HORSHAM
17 THE OCTAGON THEATRE, YEOVIL
18 THE CENTRAL THEATRE, CHATHAM
20 & 21 THE PRINCE OF WALES, CANNOCK
24 & 25 THE PRINCESS HALL, ALDERSHOT
NOVEMBER
11 THE WYVERN THEATRE, SWINDON
13 THE ATHENA, LEICESTER
14 LAKES LEISURE, KENDAL
16 THE ALBERT HALLS, BOLTON
18 THE COLISEUM, ABERDARE
19 THE WINDING WHEEL, CHESTERFIELD
21 THE AUDITORIUM, GRIMSBY
22 THE DOME, DONCASTER
23 VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO
24 THE GRAND THEATRE, BLACKPOOL
26 THE DORKING HALLS, DORKING
27 THE OAKENGATES THEATRE, TELFORD
DECEMBER
2 THE REGENT CENTRE, CHRISTCHURCH
5 THE EMBASSY THEATRE, SKEGNESS
www.derekacorah.org
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