The Battersea Poltergeist

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14 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud

1. You’re Invited to The Haunted Library

   28 september 2026 · 38 min

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   This library is home to curious things. Strange tales. Unanswered questions. Stories that linger longer than they should. Lees meer

   Hosted by Colin Morgan (Merlin, Belfast) with guest host Katie Leung (Harry Potter, Bridgerton), The Haunted Library invites you deep into the stacks to hear works of classic horror brought to life, from Gothic novels to pulpy penny dreadfuls.

   Some tales begin with a mystery, others with a bargain that should never have been struck, and a few with something stirring in the dark. You’ll encounter haunted houses, hidden secrets, dangerous ambitions, ghosts, monsters, uncanny apparitions and impossible transformations.

   Listen on for Part 1 of our first tale, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. And if you like what you hear, just search for The Haunted Library wherever you get your podcasts.

   The Haunted Library is open. Come in. Stay awhile.

2. 9. Doubt and Wonder

   19 april 2021 · 58 min

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   In a final bonus episode, Danny takes one last deep dive into the investigation, as he explores more of your theories, examines some of the most puzzling moments in the case, and puts your questions to Shirley. Lees meer

   There are still some surprising revelations in store as Danny uncovers new witnesses to the strange events at 63 Wycliffe Road. What really happened to Shirley and her family 65 years ago?

   Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers), with original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 1950s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved… until now.

   Cast:

   Shirley Hitchings……..Dafne Keen
   Harold Chibbett………Toby Jones
   Wally Hitchings……..Burn Gorman
   Kitty Hitchings……….Alice Lowe
   Ethel Hitchings……….Sorcha Cusack
   Joyce Lewis………..Miranda Raison

   Written and presented by Danny Robins
   Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe, Evelyn Hollow and Deborah Hyde
   Sound Designer: Charlie Brandon-King
   Music: Evelyn Sykes
   Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
   Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard

   Consultant: Alan Murdie
   With thanks to James Clark, co-author of 'The Poltergeist Prince of London'

   A Bafflegab Production for BBC Radio 4

3. 8. Darkness and Light

   4 maart 2021 · 28 min

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   Who wrote the letters? Lees meer

   How can the seemingly impossible happen in front of multiple witnesses?

   Is this a haunting or a hoax?

   In this final episode, the investigation reaches its climax as Danny and the experts assess the evidence and look for answers to explain the strange events at 63 Wycliffe Road.

   As the modern-day investigators try to reach conclusions, back in 1956, there are still surprises left to spring… The Hitchings face a truly chilling event as Chib searches obsessively for the clues to back up his theories. Who or what is Donald?

   Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers).

   With original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping eight-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 50s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved... until now.

   Shirley Hitchings……..Dafne Keen
   Harold Chibbett………Toby Jones
   Wally Hitchings……..Burn Gorman
   Kitty Hitchings……….Alice Lowe
   Lily Chibbett……..Kacey Ainsworth
   Ethel Hitchings……….Sorcha Cusack
   John Hitchings……..Calvin Demba

   Written and presented by Danny Robins
   Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
   Sound Designer: Richard Fox
   Music: Evelyn Sykes
   Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
   Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
   Directed by Simon Barnard

   Consultant: Alan Murdie
   With thanks to James Clark, co-author of 'The Poltergeist Prince of London'

   A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2021.

4. Case Update: A New Witness

   2 maart 2021 · 25 min

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   In this bonus episode, Danny discusses your questions and theories on the investigation after the shock developments of Episode 7, and, in a new twist, he uncovers another living witness to the bizarre events at 63 Wycliffe Road back in 1956. Can they shed any more light on the case? Lees meer

   Written and Presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists, Capote), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers), with original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping 8-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 1950s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved… until now.

5. 7. Dead Letters

   24 februari 2021 · 32 min

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   The Hitchings family experience strange new phenomena, as drawings appear on the walls and rooms are violently trashed, but strangest of all are handwritten letters that appear, seemingly from Donald the poltergeist. Lees meer

   Meanwhile ghost hunter Harold Chibbett makes progress in his attempts to communicate, becoming convinced he is on the verge of discovering Donald’s true identity.

   Danny assesses the new developments, alongside experts Ciaran O’Keefe and Evelyn Hollow. How can these things be possible? Are there other more human explanations for what is going on?

   Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers).

   With original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping eight-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 50s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved... until now.

   Shirley Hitchings……..Dafne Keen
   Harold Chibbett………Toby Jones
   Wally Hitchings……..Burn Gorman
   Kitty Hitchings……….Alice Lowe
   Lily Chibbett……..Kacey Ainsworth
   Ethel Hitchings……….Sorcha Cusack
   John Hitchings……..Calvin Demba

   Written and presented by Danny Robins
   Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
   Sound Designer: Richard Fox
   Music: Evelyn Sykes
   Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
   Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
   Directed by Simon Barnard

   Consultant: Alan Murdie
   With thanks to James Clark, co-author of 'The Poltergeist Prince of London'

   A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2021.

6. 6. Fright Night

   18 februari 2021 · 34 min

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   After the press backlash, the Hitchings family fight to prove the haunting isn’t a hoax. Lees meer

   They invite young journalist Joyce Lewis to spend a night at Number 63 Wycliffe Road – will she experience the phenomena that can prove Donald is real? Meanwhile, Danny spends his own night with a ghost, investigating a house that claims to have an active poltergeist, with sinister parallels to the Battersea case.

   Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers).

   With original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping eight-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 50s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved... until now.

   Shirley Hitchings……..Dafne Keen
   Harold Chibbett………Toby Jones
   Wally Hitchings…… Burn Gorman
   Kitty Hitchings……….Alice Lowe
   Joyce Lewis………..Miranda Raison
   Steve………………..Rufus Wright

   Written and presented by Danny Robins
   Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
   Sound Designer: Richard Fox
   Music: Evelyn Sykes
   Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
   Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
   Directed by Simon Barnard

   Consultant: Alan Murdie
   With thanks to James Clark, co-author of 'The Poltergeist Prince of London'

   A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2021.

7. Case Update: It Follows

   15 februari 2021 · 19 min

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   In this second bonus episode, Danny discusses your theories about this supernatural cold case and answers some of your questions. Delving deeper into recent developments, he explores the strange tapping that seems to follow Shirley – to her new job, and even onto a live talk show on national television. Lees meer

   Written and Presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers), with original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping 8-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 1950s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved… until now.

8. 5. Strange Bones

   11 februari 2021 · 31 min

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   After the exorcism, Shirley’s fame increases, but as she’s drawn into a press expose by two journalists, the world wants to know – is this a haunting or a hoax? Lees meer

   At Number 63, the poltergeist activity seems to intensify, taking a terrifying new direction that puts the whole family in danger.

   Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers).

   With original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping eight-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 50s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved... until now.

   Shirley Hitchings……..Dafne Keen
   Harold Chibbett………Toby Jones
   Wally Hitchings…… Burn Gorman
   Kitty Hitchings……….Alice Lowe
   Ethel Hitchings……….Sorcha Cusack
   John Hitchings……..Calvin Demba
   Lily Chibbett……..Kacey Ainsworth
   Ronald Maxwell……….Rufus Wright
   John Knight……..Dan Starkey
   Consultant…….Stephen Critchlow

   Written and presented by Danny Robins
   Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
   Sound Designer: Richard Fox
   Music: Evelyn Sykes
   Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
   Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
   Directed by Simon Barnard

   Consultant: Alan Murdie
   With thanks to James Clark, co-author of The Poltergeist Prince of London

   A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2021.

9. 4. The Underground Exorcist

   4 februari 2021 · 31 min

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   A psychic medium offers to perform an exorcism to remove Donald the Poltergeist. Lees meer

   Broken by sleepless nights and constant fear, the Hitchings family accept – but is this putting teenage Shirley in even more danger? As Danny continues his present day investigation of the case with the help of parapsychologists Ciaran O’Keefe and Evelyn Hollow, he meets a real-life exorcist to learn about the risks involved.

   Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers).

   With original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping 8-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 50s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved... until now.

   Shirley Hitchings……..Dafne Keen
   Harold Chibbett………Toby Jones
   Wally Hitchings…… Burn Gorman
   Kitty Hitchings……….Alice Lowe
   Ethel Hitchings……….Sorcha Cusack
   John Hitchings……..Calvin Demba
   Harry Hanks…….. David Troughton
   Ronald Maxwell……….Rufus Wright
   Joyce Lewis………Miranda Raison
   Mrs Hanks……….Lizzie Roper
   Christina.........Amina Zia

   Written and presented by Danny Robins
   Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
   Sound Designer: Richard Fox
   Music: Evelyn Sykes
   Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
   Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
   Directed by Simon Barnard

   Consultant: Alan Murdie
   With thanks to James Clark, co-author of 'The Poltergeist Prince of London'

   A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2021.

10. Case Update: The Key

    1 februari 2021 · 15 min

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    A special bonus episode, answering your questions about this thrilling investigation. In our first case update, Danny discusses your theories about the case so far, finding out more about the mysterious key on Shirley’s bed, and hearing from experts Ciaran O’Keefe and Evelyn Hollow about possible explanations for the strange noises at 63 Wycliffe Road. Lees meer

    Written and Presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman and Alice Lowe, with original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping 8-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 1950s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved… until now.

11. 3. Interview with a Ghost

    28 januari 2021 · 31 min

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    Danny explores possible links between the Battersea case and the Enfield Poltergeist, a famous alleged haunting from 1977. Lees meer

    He meets two reporters who covered the case, one of whom claims to have been attacked by the poltergeist. We hear more from the real-life Shirley Hitchings as, back in 1956, teenage Shirley appears to communicate with Donald the Poltergeist, and her story becomes front page tabloid news, gripping the nation.

    Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers).

    With original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping 8-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 50s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved... until now.

    Shirley Hitchings……..Dafne Keen
    Harold Chibbett………Toby Jones
    Wally Hitchings…… Burn Gorman
    Kitty Hitchings……….Alice Lowe
    Ethel Hitchings……….Sorcha Cusack
    John Hitchings……..Calvin Demba
    Ronald Maxwell……….Rufus Wright
    Joyce Lewis………..Miranda Raison

    Written and presented by Danny Robins
    Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
    Sound Designer: Richard Fox
    Music: Evelyn Sykes
    Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
    Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
    Directed by Simon Barnard

    Consultant: Alan Murdie

    With thanks to James Clark, co-author of 'The Poltergeist Prince of London'

    A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.

12. 2. Shirley

    21 januari 2021 · 29 min

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    Danny meets the only surviving witness to the haunting – the real-life Shirley Hitchings. Lees meer

    What was it like living with a poltergeist?

    Back in 1956, Harold Chibbett begins his investigation of 63 Wycliffe Road, learning more from the family about the shocking events, as objects appear to move of their own accord.

    Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers).

    With original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping 8-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 1950s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved… until now.

    Shirley Hitchings……..Dafne Keen
    Harold Chibbett………Toby Jones
    Wally Hitchings……..Burn Gorman
    Kitty Hitchings……….Alice Lowe
    Ethel Hitchings……….Sorcha Cusack
    John Hitchings……..Calvin Demba

    Written and presented by Danny Robins
    Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
    Sound Designer: Richard Fox
    Music: Evelyn Sykes
    Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
    Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
    Directed by Simon Barnard

    Consultant: Alan Murdie
    With thanks to James Clark, co-author of 'The Poltergeist Prince of London'

    A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.

13. 1. 63 Wycliffe Road

    21 januari 2021 · 31 min

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    63 Wycliffe Road is an ordinary house on a quiet South London street, but in 1956 it becomes famous as the site of an alleged poltergeist. Lees meer

    The strange events focus around teenager Shirley Hitchings – but is it a haunting or hoax?

    Ghost hunter Harold Chibbett arrives to investigate.

    This series blends drama and documentary to explore an intriguing paranormal cold case. As we hear the original haunting brought to life, host Danny Robins begins his own present-day investigation – what really happened to terrify the Hitchings family 65 years ago?

    Written and presented by Danny Robins, starring Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials), Toby Jones (Detectorists), Burn Gorman (Torchwood) and Alice Lowe (Sightseers).

    With original theme music by Mercury-nominated Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier, this gripping 8-part series interweaves a chilling supernatural thriller set in 50s London with a fascinating modern-day investigation into Britain’s strangest ever haunting – a mystery unsolved... until now.

    Shirley Hitchings........Dafne Keen
    Harold Chibbett.........Toby Jones
    Wally Hitchings........Burn Gorman
    Kitty Hitchings..........Alice Lowe
    Ethel Hitchings..........Sorcha Cusack
    John Hitchings........Calvin Demba
    Mrs Cameroo..........Amina Zia

    Written and presented by Danny Robins
    Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
    Sound Designer: Richard Fox
    Music: Evelyn Sykes
    Theme Music by Nadine Shah and Ben Hillier
    Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
    Directed by Simon Barnard

    Consultant: Alan Murdie
    With thanks to James Clark, co-author of 'The Poltergeist Prince of London'

    A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.

14. Trailer

    14 januari 2021 · 4 min

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    A paranormal cold case, re-investigated through a thrilling blend of drama and documentary. The true story of one of Britain’s strangest hauntings, with Dafne Keen and Toby Jones.