THE MEDIUM Helen Duncan

Helen Duncan producing her "ectoplasm" during a test — Helen Duncan producing her “ectoplasm” during a test

Helen Duncan was the last person in the UK ever to be convicted of witchcraft… in the mid-20th-century! Her story is one of fraud, fakery and – just possibly – actual communications with the dead!? Hear this fascinating and extremely unexpected story with special guest Nikki Druce, host of the Macabre London podcast!

Hear the full-length audio from Helen Duncan’s conversation with “Albert” here.

And hear Helen Duncan’s full “appearance” at a 1983 seance by medium Rita Goold here. (“Helen” begins speaking at 39:36, but the entire seance is a wild ride.)

Two photos show Helen Duncan, blindfolded, with a piece of white fabric coming out from under her blindfold and attached to two different Papier-mâché "ghosts" which are clearly constructed of fabric, paper, and wire. — Helen Duncan photographed with two of her “ghosts” and ectoplasm.

Helen Duncan sits on a chair.. She has a piece of white something hanging out of her mouth. — Helen Duncan and her ectoplasm
photo: Ashmolean Museum

Helen Duncan and her ectoplasm
photo: Ashmolean Museum

Helen Duncan sits on a chair wearing a blindfold. She has a piece of white something hanging out of her mouth. — Helen Duncan and her ectoplasm
photo: Ashmolean Museum

Helen Duncan sits on a chair with what appears to be a piece of long white fabric draped from her face over her head and dangling down to the floor at her feet. — Helen Duncan and her ectoplasm
photo: Ashmolean Museum

Helen Duncan sits on a chair, with her legs tied to the legs of the people seated beside her, and wearing a blindfold. She has a piece of white something hanging out of her mouth. — Helen Duncan with seance participants
public domain

A photo of white fabric photographed in liquid, so it appears to be moving/swirling — Helen Duncan’s “Ectoplasm” in the University of Cambridge Museum
photo: University of Cambridge Museum

Nikki Druce is the creator and host of Macabre London, the original podcast about London’s gruesome history. Created in 2016, combines the intrigue of horror and history and turns it into a unique storytelling podcast.

Nikki’s stories on the show are inspired by a lifelong love of anything dark, gothic, creepy and unsettling. Through Macabre London, Nikki has dedicated herself to making sure the stories from the capital’s past are not forgotten forever and to bring them to a new generation of podcast listeners and YouTube viewers.

Check out the Macabre London podcast, YouTube show, and make sure to follow Nikki on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

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