The Battersea Poltergeist

Enter the world of The Lovecraft Investigations, a thrilling investigation into witchcraft, the occult and secret government operations. All four series are available now on BBC Sounds.

Jack Lowden tells the true story of Scotland’s notorious serial killers, Burke and Hare. What started two former canal labourers on a mass killing spree in 19th century Edinburgh?

Danny Robins introduces his investigation, set in the wild Welsh countryside, into the real-life mystery behind what has been called Britain's most haunted house.

The Battersea Poltergeist’s Danny Robins introduces a chilling excerpt from his intriguing new paranormal series, Uncanny.

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. 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

Who wrote the letters? 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.

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? 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.

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. 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 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. Cast: 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

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

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. 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.