7 Oct 2026
S03 - Episode 07 - 39012 A Ghost Story by Paul Howse
“As I looked at this John Doe, I felt odd. Not scared, or creeped out, just… I don’t know… an unease? That might be the word… I had the oddest feeling, difficult to describe, a sort of apprehension. A bit like the feeling when you think you are being watched, but no one is there…”
This is Haunted UK Fiction, a sister podcast to Haunted UK featuring original stories of the supernatural, the monstrous, and the unknown.
In today’s episode, we present 39012 A Ghost Story, a chilling tale written and narrated by Paul Howse.
If you enjoyed this story, continue your listening with:
Bleakmore: A Gothic Tale by Emma Hudairi
Blackdamp by TJ McLaughlin
Driftstone Marsh by Jason Wells
About the Author:
Paul has always had a creative side. From a very young age, he was involved in theatre, TV, and all sorts of creative projects.
So how did he get into ghosts in the first place? He thinks it started with an Usborne book he had as a child: Mysteries of the Unknown: Ghosts, Monsters & UFOs. He read the monsters and UFOs sections several times, but it was the ghost section he kept returning to, particularly a famous photo taken by the Reverend K. F. Lord in 1963. The photo features an apparent “ghost” at the altar of Newby Church in Yorkshire, England. The image appears to show the figure of a monk well over seven feet tall!
Later in life, fictional shows like the infamous Ghostwatch, and then reality series such as Most Haunted, inspired Paul to revisit his love of the paranormal. He joined the Ghost Research Foundation (as it was at the time) and worked his way up from member, to senior investigator, and eventually President. Over the years he has investigated many genuinely chilling locations, and has even had some of his photographs published! One example appears in this book, which he’s sure many people now own: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Caught-Film-2/dp/0715332023 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Caught-Film-2/dp/0715332023)
In 2000 Paul co-founded AtmosFEAR Scare Entertainment with his good friend Jason Karl (of Most Haunted fame). Unlike the Ghost Research Foundation, AtmosFEAR creates fictional events - scare attractions - where immersive environments, special effects, and live actors combine to deliver scary, thrilling experiences.
Paul is always inspired by a truly chilling ghost story. The story featured in this episode was inspired by one of his favourite authors, M. R. James. He loves a good fireside read on a dark, spooky night.
For the past five years Paul has also been producing a live promenade theatre experience at Christmas titled A Ghost Story for Christmas, at the local 700-year-old manor house, Samlesbury Hall. These shows are extremely popular and sell out well in advance, which proves that the lure of the ghost story, particularly at Christmas, is as strong today as it was in the Victorian period.
Upcoming Works
Paul is currently in pre-production for this year’s ‘A Ghost Story For Christmas’ show, Caveat Emptor, inspired by Edith Wharton’s Afterward.
Writing-wise, he is revisiting a project he began many years ago and has yet to complete: A Sceptic’s Guide to UK Ghosts and Hauntings, a look at haunted locations around the UK, many of which he has personal experience with. It’s detail-focused and evidence-led: not looking for ghosts, but looking for evidence.
Also out next year is a new book about the 13 ghosts of Samlesbury Hall, which he’s co-writing with Jason Karl. The current working title is All “Manor” of Ghosts: The Ghosts of Samlesbury Hall. Our aim is to have it in print in time for Easter.
Contact Information: paul@paulhowse.co.uk
Submissions
If you have an original story that would send a chill down our spines, send it to hauntedukfiction@hotmail.com
Until next time… stay safe and take care.
Episode Credits
Story by: Paul Howse
Narrated by: Paul Howse (Introduction by Steven Holloway)
Script prepared by: Melissa West
Produced by: Pink Flamingo Home Studio
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If you enjoy atmospheric storytelling, dark fiction, and immersive audio experiences, Haunted UK Fiction is your home for weekly supernatural tales.
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