The Battersea Poltergeist – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Battersea Poltergeist

BBC Radio 4

Fiction

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/8d. Total Eps: 13

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. Presented by Danny Robins.

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Data updated on 29/10/2026

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🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
15/10/2026
#47
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🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
14/10/2026
#40
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🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
13/10/2026
#31
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🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
12/10/2026
#28
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🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
11/10/2026
#25
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🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
10/10/2026
#23
→
🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
09/10/2026
#23
→
🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
08/10/2026
#23
↘
🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
07/10/2026
#20
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🇬🇧 Great Britain - fiction
06/10/2026
#22
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Score global : 42%

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9. Doubt and Wonder

Monday, April 19, 2021 • Duration 57:38

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

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8. Darkness and Light

Thursday, March 4, 2021 • Duration 28:00

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.

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Case Update: A New Witness

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 • Duration 25:11

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.

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7. Dead Letters

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 • Duration 31:46

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).

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.

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6. Fright Night

Thursday, February 18, 2021 • Duration 33:44

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).

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.

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Case Update: It Follows

Monday, February 15, 2021 • Duration 19:23

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.

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5. Strange Bones

Thursday, February 11, 2021 • Duration 30:40

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?

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).

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

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.

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4. The Underground Exorcist

Thursday, February 4, 2021 • Duration 30:56

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

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.

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Case Update: The Key

Monday, February 1, 2021 • Duration 15:25

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.

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.

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3. Interview with a Ghost

Thursday, January 28, 2021 • Duration 31:10

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

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).

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.

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The Battersea Poltergeist – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

The Battersea Poltergeist – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify