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Seven terrifying ghost stories from Diane Morgan

At the age of eleven, Diane Morgan saw a ghostly figure in a bedroom at her nan’s house which sparked a life-long obsession with the paranormal. For Radio 4 Extra’s Diane Morgan Believes in Ghosts, featuring Maxine Peake, Steve Punt and Toyah Willcox, Diane’s searched the BBC vaults for the best real-life tales of ghost hunting, hauntings, and unexplained phenomena. Here are seven of the spookiest stories she uncovered…

1. The Radio 4 Ghost

In February 2004, Sandi Toksvig was broadcasting live from Leap Castle. Built in the 15th century, it’s considered to be the most haunted castle in Ireland. Many people were imprisoned and executed there and it’s said the spirits haunt the corridors. Did one of these otherworldly inhabitants manage to end up as an uninvited guest on Radio 4’s Excess Baggage?

The Phantom Transmission

Can you hear the ghostly voice accidentally broadcast on Radio 4?

2. Toyah Willcox’s Haunted House

It’s not open to the public, but 80s icon Toyah Willcox’s 17th-century house in Worcester is one of the most haunted houses that we hear about. Women in white look through windows and children run up and down the stairs. I won’t be visiting anytime soon.

“It’s a house of shadows”

Toyah Willcox tells Diane Morgan about the ghosts that haunt her home.

3. The Springhill House Haunting

Springhill House, Moneymore, County Londonderry, is a 17th-century plantation house which is said to be haunted by the sad spirit of Olivia Lenox-Coyngham, left distraught and alone after her husband committed suicide. Terrifying.

“Standing in the moonlight with her hands over her eyes”

The story of the tall female ghost that haunts Springhill House in Ireland.

4. The Hill House Ghost

Once a private home, this Cheshire house is now a sanctuary for the elderly. Many people who worked there have reported seeing apparitions in a particular corridor. Chandeliers have been known to swing dramatically, seemingly on their own.

Most Haunted’s presenters encounter a ghost

Diane Morgan hears about an unexplained ghost sighting.

5. The Ghost in The Vaults

Radio Scotland toured the labyrinth of dark passages and damp underground chambers and vaults in Cowgate, Edinburgh – which are thought to be cursed. The chambers are now used to conduct scientific experiments into the paranormal and as part of the official Ghost Tour of Edinburgh. Fran Hollingsrick is our guide underground…

“Unpleasant things have happened in here”

Is Cowgate, Edinburgh home to a malevolent spirit?

6. The Girl on the Stairs

Castle Hotel, Rhayader, Powys, is a small place but very active with paranormal occurrences. From voices and crying to footsteps and knocking noises – apparitions have been seen in the different rooms. Several years ago, Neil Smith was helping to renovate the property and headed upstairs for a toilet break…

“I could see her eyes following me down the stairs”

Beware the stairs at Castle Hotel, Rhayader....

7. The Lady in Grey

Like many theatres, Brighton’s Theatre Royal is said to be haunted by the ghosts of past performers – and even boasts Sarah Bernhardt amongst its spirits. There have also been reports of a Lady in Grey haunting the auditorium…

Who was the lady in the box?

Brighton Theatre Royal is said to be haunted by an eerie grey lady…

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