That's the spirit

Because the 59-year-old may be coming to talk to the dead, but it’s only to pass on messages to their loved ones.

And although the odd spirit has been known to sneak into his dressing room during the interval, they are always asked to leave so that he can dedicate himself to his audience.

Welcome to the world of medium Derek Acorah who has thrilled thousands with his TV shows and theatre tours and feels that the tide is finally turning.

“Fifteen years ago audiences were 40 per cent sceptics, but now they are a small minority. That’s thanks to the TV shows, which have encouraged people to talk about it and unearthed a lot of people who have also seen things themselves,” he says.

“But it’s not a morbid show because the character of the spirits come through and I display that and make sure I use their vocabulary and language, word-for-word, as extra evidence and so often people will laugh and say ‘that’s just like him’.”

And what of the non-believers?

“For me, every person who goes home and says ‘I saw it proved to me’ is worth their weight in gold. But there are no rehearsals and no lines. It’s what happens at that moment in time when I come out on to the stage,” he says.

So how does Derek prepare?

“It’s called opening and closing. I go somewhere quiet where I can block out the outside world, and over 20-30 minutes open myself up to the spirit world.

“It’s an emptying process so there is no clutter for those trying to get in from the spiritual world. Then afterwards I’ll say ‘it’s time to turn back into Derek the dad, husband and grandfather’.”

And yet Derek admits he has struggled in the past to keep his work and personal life separate.

“It’s like being a doctor or nurse. You have to harden yourself to what you see, because 30 years ago I was miserable and didn’t know how to cope with it, and of course I was a married man and a father as well, so I had to bring in my own personal code of discipline. But that’s the hardest thing about being a medium, and don’t get me wrong, I’m not oblivious to emotions and feelings now, but I send them back rather than being taken along with it.

“I see it now as a healing process, helping people to cope, and try to bring that healing into the communication so that they can take it home and use it long after the show finishes,” he says.

But why are so many people looking for closure?

“Think of the effect it would have if your son was knocked down on his way home for supper, because no one expects that, or the daughter who kills herself because she wasn’t happy, but her parents had no idea.

“There is so much that people need to know, and wish to know, to help them carry on their physical lives, and I like to think I can help them,” he says.

Derek shot to fame as the resident medium for Living TV’s Most Haunted, investigating haunted properties. The programme proved to be a huge success.

But Derek had discovered he had the ‘gift’ much earlier. As a six-year-old he witnessed the spirit of his late grandfather, and from the age of nine his grandmother, a working medium herself, took him under her wing.

And yet, it wasn’t until the 80s that Derek began in the trade himself. A former professional footballer for Liverpool Football Club, he didn't become a full-time medium until after a knee injury forced him to retire from the game.

Derek Acorah is appearing at the New Theatre on Tuesday. Tickets on 0844 8471588.