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'''Derek Acorah''' (born Derek Francis Johnson; 27 January 1950 – 4 January 2020) was a British [[Psychic | '''Derek Acorah''' (born Derek Francis Johnson; 27 January 1950 – 4 January 2020) was a British [[Psychic|spiritual medium]], author, and television personality, best known as the guest medium on the paranormal reality series ''[[Most Haunted]]''. | ||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
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Acorah joined ''[[Most Haunted]]'' on Living TV in 2002 as the show's resident guest medium, working alongside presenter [[Yvette Fielding]]. The series followed a team investigating reportedly haunted locations across the UK, with Acorah's on-camera "readings" and reported spirit contacts becoming a central feature of the format. | Acorah joined ''[[Most Haunted]]'' on Living TV in 2002 as the show's resident guest medium, working alongside presenter [[Yvette Fielding]]. The series followed a team investigating reportedly haunted locations across the UK, with Acorah's on-camera "readings" and reported spirit contacts becoming a central feature of the format. | ||
Acorah's time on the show ended in 2005 following a widely reported test by the programme's on-set parapsychologist, who fed him fabricated background details about entirely fictitious "spirits" — Acorah went on to describe contact with them on camera as though they were real. The incident became one of the best-known controversies in British television [[Psychic | Acorah's time on the show ended in 2005 following a widely reported test by the programme's on-set parapsychologist, who fed him fabricated background details about entirely fictitious "spirits" — Acorah went on to describe contact with them on camera as though they were real. The incident became one of the best-known controversies in British television [[Psychic|mediumship]] and fuelled long-running scepticism about the authenticity of his on-screen readings. | ||
=== Later career === | === Later career === | ||
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== Reception == | == Reception == | ||
Acorah remains one of the most recognisable figures in [[:Category:United Kingdom|British]] television [[Psychic | Acorah remains one of the most recognisable figures in [[:Category:United Kingdom|British]] television [[Psychic|mediumship]], largely through his long run on ''[[Most Haunted]]''. His career was also persistently shadowed by scepticism, particularly following the 2005 fabricated-spirit test, and he is frequently cited in discussions of the reliability of televised paranormal investigation. | ||
[[Category:Psychic Mediums]] | [[Category:Psychic Mediums]] | ||
Revision as of 23:49, 21 July 2026
Derek Acorah (born Derek Francis Johnson; 27 January 1950 – 4 January 2020) was a British spiritual medium, author, and television personality, best known as the guest medium on the paranormal reality series Most Haunted.
Early life
Acorah was born in Bootle, Lancashire, and grew up in the north-west of England. Before becoming a medium, he had a brief career as a footballer, spending time on the books of Liverpool before a leg injury ended his playing career.
Career
Early television work
Acorah's first television appearances came in 1996 on the satellite channel Granada Breeze, where he presented Livetime and later Psychic Livetime, followed by Predictions with Derek Acorah.
Most Haunted
Acorah joined Most Haunted on Living TV in 2002 as the show's resident guest medium, working alongside presenter Yvette Fielding. The series followed a team investigating reportedly haunted locations across the UK, with Acorah's on-camera "readings" and reported spirit contacts becoming a central feature of the format.
Acorah's time on the show ended in 2005 following a widely reported test by the programme's on-set parapsychologist, who fed him fabricated background details about entirely fictitious "spirits" — Acorah went on to describe contact with them on camera as though they were real. The incident became one of the best-known controversies in British television mediumship and fuelled long-running scepticism about the authenticity of his on-screen readings.
Later career
After leaving Most Haunted, Acorah continued working across British television and live performance, including presenting Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns and co-presenting Paranormal Egypt alongside historian Tessa Dunlop. He made a cameo appearance in the 2006 Doctor Who episode "Army of Ghosts", and in 2017 appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, finishing in fourth place. He also toured with live stage shows and published several books recounting his experiences as a medium, including The Psychic Adventures of Derek Acorah and Derek Acorah: Extreme Psychic.
Personal life
Acorah lived in Scarisbrick, near Southport, with his second wife, Gwen. In 2014, he was banned from driving for 28 months after admitting careless driving and failing to provide a breath test following a car crash.
Death
Acorah died on 4 January 2020, aged 69, following a short illness. His death was announced by his wife.
Reception
Acorah remains one of the most recognisable figures in British television mediumship, largely through his long run on Most Haunted. His career was also persistently shadowed by scepticism, particularly following the 2005 fabricated-spirit test, and he is frequently cited in discussions of the reliability of televised paranormal investigation.