Best Rob Kirkup Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 123 - Poveglia Part 1: The Island of Ghosts 39:57

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6d ago39:57

39:57

In episode 123 we set sail for a small, abandoned island which is infamous the world over. Once a quarantine station for plague victims in the 18th century, it later became home to a psychiatric hospital with disturbing rumours of mistreatment and eerie experiments. Over centuries, tens of thousands of lives ended here, their stories lost to time—b…

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HUN #62 - Ghosts, Grief, and Guidance: An Interview with Psychic Medium Leanna Anscomb 42:09

7d ago42:09

42:09

It’s special guest time again on Haunted Up North, as we welcome psychic medium and tarot reader Leanna Anscomb to the show. In this episode, Leanna shares her encounter with the ghost of Lydia Bell - the infamous Pink Lady of Scarborough - and reveals what it’s really like to grow into life as a psychic medium. In one of our more emotive episodes,…

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Bonus Episode 25 - Mary King's Close (Lost Audio Special) 3:37:21

13d ago3:37:21

3:37:21

Originally released for Patreons in September 2024 I hope you enjoy this very special episode. In the 25th Patreon bonus podcast you join below Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, where a historic close lies that was once a thriving community in it’s own right. It was open to the skies above, and named, unusually for the 17th century for a woman who was…

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Episode 13 Rob Webster CBE 40:40

14d ago40:40

40:40

Niall Dickson CBE and Roy Lilley with their latest guest Rob Webster CBE For this next edition of In The Loop podcast Niall and Roy come together with Rob Webster one of the most prominent NHS managers and a huge advocate of integration. Rob heads up the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership an integrated care system. And like ev…

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Ep 122 - Berry Pomeroy Castle 1:03:07

20d ago1:03:07

1:03:07

In episode 122 we head to Devon and into a castle that is known the world over by those with an interest in the paranormal. I won’t be alone for this one as I will be joined by someone who has visited this ruined fortress on multiple occasions, as fan-favourite Emma from the Weird Wiltshire Blog joins me to delve deep into the spirits that are beli…

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November Patreon Teaser - The Hunt for the Beast of Bolam Lake 9:57

27d ago9:57

9:57

In the 39th Patreon bonus podcast you join me on my way north into the remote wilderness of Northumberland in pursuit of an eight foot tall hairy monster who made headlines across Britain in the early 2000s. The sightings were considered so credible that a team of professional monster hunters came in search of the beast. And saw it. But what would …

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Episode 12 Sarah Woolnough 45:34

1M ago45:34

45:34

In their latest podcast Niall and Roy engage with Sarah Woolnough the Chief Executive of The King’s Fund, one of the country’s leading health think tanks. In a frank discussion, Sarah defends the role of think tanks and laments the government’s failure to embrace public health and prevention in its first year in office. She is highly critical too o…

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Halloween 2025 - Monster Month: The Mothman and the Other Cryptids of West Virginia 1:37:45

1M ago1:37:45

1:37:45

Halloween is here... Over the past few weeks, we’ve scoured the misty shores of Loch Ness, tracked elusive footprints through Pacific Northwest forests, and followed blood-curdling tales from the deserts of the Americas. From Nessie to Bigfoot to the Chupacabra, we’ve crossed continents chasing the creatures that stalk our imaginations. But tonight…

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HUN #61 - Sawney Bean: The Butcher of Ballantrae 19:42

27d ago19:42

19:42

In honour of Halloween, we bring you a horror-fuelled tale steeped in crime, legend, and gore - one that’ll have you up to your neck in blood-curdling chills. Set sail with us in spooktacular style to the rugged coast of southwest Scotland, where Victoria awaits to unravel the grisly legend of the infamous cannibalistic killer… Sawney Bean. Beware …

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61. Games With Ghosts 1:23:40

28d ago1:23:40

1:23:40

It's Halloween again, and you know what that means! Yes, it means nobody on the podcast aside from Alex will nominate anything even remotely spooky on our spooky special episode. Other things happen: Steve bails on yet another pod but almost makes up for it with a delicious pun in his phoned-in entry Simon hears a ghost (that didn't come out in the…

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Bonus Episode 24 - York Guildhall (Lost Audio Special) 3:28:34

1M ago3:28:34

3:28:34

Originally released for Patreons in August 2024 I hope you enjoy this very special episode. In the 24th Patreon bonus podcast you join me at a magnificent building we visited back in episode 21 of the podcast, but we're doing something a little bit special. In April I found a hard drive containing audio from four investigations that I conducted in …

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Ep 120 - The Yeti, Bigfoot and Other Hairy Monsters 1:29:02

1M ago1:29:02

1:29:02

In episode 120 we go in search of towering, hairy beasts that are said to stalk the wilderness. From the snow-covered slopes of the Himalayas to the dense forests of North America, reports of upright, ape-like creatures have refused to die, no matter how much science tries to bury them. In this episode, we’re taking on the heavyweights of cryptid f…

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60. Bonus Inductions Special #6 + QUIZ! 1:32:41

1M ago1:32:41

1:32:41

This is an absolutely mad episode. Loads of fun was had, and we're sure you'll have fun too. Alex does maths. Steve does sailors (again). Rob really wants to stroke a dog. Simon celebrates a birthday. We also induct four previous poll losers directly into the Hall of Fame, set up all the categories for the next 9 episodes, and answer an email from …

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Ep 119 - Monster Month: The Loch Ness Monster and Other Soggy Beasts 1:31:18

2M ago1:31:18

1:31:18

In episode 119 we continue Monster Month in style by going in search of one of the true behemoths in the world of cryptozoology. This time we’re heading to the Scottish Highlands to look at one of the world’s most famous mysteries. For decades, people have claimed to see something strange lurking in Loch Ness. From blurry photographs to sonar scans…

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October Patreon Teaser - In Search of the Durham Puma Part 1 & 2 18:03

2M ago18:03

18:03

In this 38th and 39th Patreon specials, Monster Month continues as in this enormous two part special - both episodes of which will be released this month - I do something a bit different as I go in search of a big cat seen across County Durham more than 200 times since the 1990s. It was most recently seen just this summer by a man who described see…

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Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive NHS England 45:07

2M ago45:07

45:07

EXCLUSIVE Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive NHS England in conversation with Niall Dickson & Roy Lilley ... in a frank interview Sir Jim talks about the difficulties he is facing and the fact taking on what he thought would be the job and how it's actually worked out, are two very different things! In this wide ranging conversation he accepts the pen…

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Ep 118 - Monster Month: Cryptids from Across the Globe 1:25:26

2M ago1:25:26

1:25:26

In episode 118 we’re picking up where last week’s episode left off, as we look at some of the strangest, scariest, and in some cases most plausible monsters to be found outside of the British isles. We will travel to the most far flung corners of the globes in search of these curious creatures that take the form of gigantic killer worms, dinosaurs,…

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Bonus Episode - Ghostlore with Dr Icy Sedgwick 41:45

2M ago41:45

41:45

By Rob Kirkup

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59. Sega Games 2:01:22

2M ago2:01:22

2:01:22

This should be right in our wheelhouse, eh? Well, to make sure we definitely hit our nominations out of the park, we enlisted Sega Mania Magazine creator, Tim Hugall, as a special guest! Because he's so good at making our words into amazing pages, we let Tim nominate three Sega games, with the rest of us voting one directly into the Hall of Fame. T…

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Ep 117 - Monster Month: What is a Cryptid? 56:02

2M ago56:02

56:02

October is here, welcome to Monster Month..... Episode 117 is the first of five extended episodes, building to a monstrous Halloween Spooktacular, we’re diving headfirst into the shadows in search of the strangest and scariest creatures ever whispered about. We’re going cryptid crazy—tracking the towering Yeti, peering into the depths of Loch Ness,…

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Bonus Episode - Haunted Milton Keynes with Dr Steph Lay 36:11

2M ago36:11

36:11

In this bonus episode, to celebrate the arrival of October, we’re heading somewhere which isn’t considered by many, if any, as one of the scariest places on the planet. But you join me in conversation with someone looking to change that. She is a horror writer, photographer and parapsychologist who’s lived in Milton Keynes since 2002 and is underta…

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Bonus Episode 23 - The Edinburgh Dungeon (Lost Audio Special) 3:07:59

2M ago3:07:59

3:07:59

Originally released for Patreon supporters in July 2024 I hope you enjoy this very special episode. In the 23rd Patreon bonus podcast we're doing something a little bit special. In April I found a hard drive containing audio from four investigations that I conducted in 2011 and 2012. Dozens of hours of audio that I lost around a decade ago, and I t…

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HUN #60 - The Haunting of Willington Mill 34:10

2M ago34:10

34:10

Today, we journey to the north east of England to uncover the hidden horrors of a haunted mill. Willington Mill - one of Europe's first steam-powered flour mills - once stood as a beacon of ingenuity. But its industrial prowess wasn't its only claim to fame. For decades, the mill was plagued by unsettling forces - whispers, footsteps, and chilling …

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Episode 10 - Claire Murdoch 36:11

2M ago36:11

36:11

In their latest venture In the Loop, Niall and Roy turn to mental health and conduct the first interview with Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s outgoing mental health director since she dramatically resigned earlier this month after nearly ten years on the job. In the podcast, Claire says she quit because she felt she no longer had political support an…

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Ep 116 - Haunted Dolls with Fiona Dodwell 45:15

3M ago45:15

45:15

In episode 116 we’re revisiting what some might consider the scariest aspect of the paranormal – haunted dolls. Those, supposedly innocent, inanimate, companions of young children the world over, which may well be, in some cases, vessels for the dead. I am joined by Fiona Dodwell to discuss her new book - A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls: From …

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58. Shoot 'Em Ups 1:26:04

3M ago1:26:04

1:26:04

It's time to put up or shmup up, as we're nominating shoot 'em ups for the Hall of Fame. We decided to include games from the sub genres of horizontal and veritcal-scrolling shooters, twin stick shooters and run and gun games. When you've heard the pod, go to @vg_hof on Twitter or @vghof on BlueSky to vote for the game you want in the HOF! Thanks t…

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A Spooky Season Announcement 4:59

3M ago4:59

4:59

October is coming and this is going to be the biggest, scariest, most content-filled episode of the podcast to date. Listeners will get EIGHT episodes - Five Monster Month specials, two spooky conversations, and a three-hour-long ghost hunt. Patreon supporters will get two extra bonus episodes too. If you want to make sure you don't miss out on thi…

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September Patreon Teaser - Royalty Theatre Part 2 9:00

3M ago9:00

9:00

In the 37th Patreon bonus podcast you rejoin me and fellow Newcastle-based folklore podcaster Icy Sedgwick at a building in Sunderland which dates back to the 1800s and was formerly a hospital during World War 1 providing care and treatment for the wounded and today is a theatre. But what would Icy and I experience, alongside our team of Ghost Nort…

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Episode 9 Dame Jennifer Dixon 35:04

3M ago35:04

35:04

The latest podcast from Niall and Roy sees a somewhat different take on the current state of the NHS from Dame Jennifer Dixon, the longstanding and respected Chief Executive of the Health Foundation. Jennifer, who once practised in paediatrics before moving into public health, accuses the government of being disrespectful and menacing in its approa…

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Ep 115 - Rufford Old Hall 1:08:10

3M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

In episode 115 we find ourselves in Lancashire at a building dating back to the early 16th century that was a location that a listener requested that I cover, and what a location it is. Considered by some to be one of the most haunted places in the county, and some would even consider it amongst the most active places in all of Britain. But is this…

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Lord Darzi 33:42

3M ago33:42

33:42

In their latest podcast Niall and Roy have a fascinating exchange with Professor Lord Darzi, the eminent surgeon and former government minister whose independent investigation earlier this year laid bare an NHS that is failing at so many levels and which has lost public confidence. In the podcast, Ara Darzi reveals how shocked he was to find that s…

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Bonus Episode 22 - Middlethorpe Hall Hotel (Lost Audio Special) 2:01:09

3M ago2:01:09

2:01:09

Originally released for Patreons in June 2024 I hope you enjoy this very special episode. In the 22st Patreon bonus podcast we're doing something a little bit special. In April I found a hard drive containing audio from four investigations that I conducted in 2011 and 2012. Dozens of hours of audio that I lost around a decade ago, and I thought was…

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57. Games Represented in Smash Bros. 1:32:05

3M ago1:32:05

1:32:05

Fear not, haters of Smash and/or Nintendo (alright, Steve?), Smash Bros. has become a veritable video game museum. There are hundreds of games represented in the Big N's party fighter, so we had a huge range of wildly different games to nominate for the HOF in this one. When you've heard the episode, head on over to @vghof on BlueSky to like the po…

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Ep 114 - Eerie Edinburgh Part 3: Edinburgh Castle's Ghosts 45:02

3M ago45:02

45:02

Episode 114 brings our trilogy of episodes from Edinburgh to a close. Last episode I told you all about the long, bloody, history of Edinburgh Castle, and this time out I am joined by Wayne from the Eerie Edinburgh podcast to discuss the spirits that are believed by some to be found here. So join Wayne and I and let us ask, just how haunted is Edin…

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HUN #59 - How Haunted? With Rob Kirkup 44:38

4M ago44:38

44:38

This time on Haunted Up North, things get seriously spooky as we welcome Rob Kirkup, the voice behind How Haunted? Rob shares his most unforgettable ghost hunts, the chilling legends that inspire his podcast, and a few terrifying encounters of his own. Hear about a night trapped in the Edinburgh Dungeon, a hair-raising brush with the spirits of Chi…

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August Patreon Teaser - Royalty Theatre Part 1 12:00

4M ago12:00

12:00

In the 36th Patreon bonus podcast you join me and a fellow Geordie podcaster on location at a theatre in Sunderland which, beneath the curtain calls and festival accolades, hides a tangled past of war, transformation, and in more recent times chilling paranormal encounters. But what would Icy Sedgwick and I experience on this summer’s night when th…

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56. '90s PC Games 1:22:00

4M ago1:22:00

1:22:00

Let's go back in time to a wonderful era in gaming. An era where the first person shooter was perfected, where the RTS was king, where Mario and Sonic never dared to tread. Where PC gaming was magnificent. We've got four classics for you to vote for in this episode, so go to @VG_HOF on Twitter and vote in the poll, or like the post of the game you …

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Ep 113 - Eerie Edinburgh Part 2: Edinburgh Castle's History 32:32

4M ago32:32

32:32

Episode 113 sees us continue our time in Edinburgh and we go deep into the history of a structure that has seen it all. Built on volcanic rock, it’s been a royal residence, a military garrison, and a prison. It has held both noble prisoners and common criminals. It’s been a site of public hangings, military sieges, and brutal interrogations. From m…

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Episode 7 in conversation with Professor Tas Qureshi 29:40

4M ago29:40

29:40

In this episode of their Podcast In the Loop Niall and Roy step on to new ground in a fascinating discussion with Professor Tas Qureshi. a General and Gastro-intestinal Surgeon at Poole Hospital in Dorset. But Tas has another role – he has made a number of trips to Gaza as a volunteer, giving up his free time to support his fellow surgeons there as…

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Dr Penny Dash 43:53

4M ago43:53

43:53

In their latest podcast Niall and Roy invite Dr Penny Dash, the new chair of NHS England, to join them. Within weeks of her appointment the secretary of state announced that NHS England was for the chop and that he would subject the NHS to a major reorganisation. But Penny is unphased and says the current system is riddled with complexity and dupli…

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Ep 112 - Eerie Edinburgh Part 1: Blacket Place and Parliament Square 1:05:07

4M ago1:05:07

1:05:07

Episode 112 sees us visit a wonderful city in Scotland, as historic as it is haunted. And I’ll not be alone, as I welcome Wayne from the Eerie Edinburgh podcast to join me and in this episode you’ll hear him tell us all about two of his favourite hauntings in the city. So join Wayne and I and let us ask, just how haunted is Edinburgh? Enormous than…

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July Patreon Teaser - Scaffold Hill Hospital EXTENDED EDITION Part 2 12:02

5M ago12:02

12:02

In the 35th Patreon bonus podcast you join me for the second part of a paranormal investigation deep within a vast, dark, forest. Our focus is the site of a former isolation hospital that held those with infectious diseases such as scarlet fever and tuberculosis. We pick up our paranormal investigation as Tom, John and I enter a building that was o…

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Bonus Episode - In Conversation with the Three Raven Podcast 53:44

5M ago53:44

53:44

In this bonus episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with the lovely Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux about their fantastic Three Ravens Podcast, and their brand new book, Three Ravens Folk Tales. We covered all sorts of topics, as you'll hear, including how you could win your very own signed copy of this glorious new 320-page hardback. Quite simply…

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HUN #58 - The Curse of 15 Learmonth Gardens 53:32

5M ago53:32

53:32

Have you ever heard of someone being haunted by a bone? In the 1930s, Alexander Hay Seton took a trip to Egypt that would change his life forever. When he and his wife Zeyla returned to their elegant house at 15 Learmonth Gardens in Edinburgh with a piece of an ancient skeleton, they unwittingly invited something sinister across the threshold. What…

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55. PlayStation (PS1) Games 1:16:40

5M ago1:16:40

1:16:40

In the midst of this irritatingly annual heatwave, we bring you a podcast featuring sweaty lads with melting brains. You'll see what we mean. Bear with us, it's hot innit. We've got four PlayStation 1 games for you to vote on this time, and with classics like FFVII, Resident Evil 1 and 2, THPS and... er... Die Hard Trilogy already in the Hall of Fa…

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Dr Bill Kirkup CBE -Learning lessons from past enquiries 43:13

5M ago43:13

43:13

In this latest podcast Niall and Roy talk to Dr Bill Kirkup CBE, who has headed some of the major enquiries into failing NHS services, including paediatric cardiac surgery in Oxford. Liverpool Community Services, and the high-profile investigations into maternity services at Morecambe Bay and East Kent Hospitals. In a frank discussion, Bill reveals…

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Ep 111 - Bodmin Jail Part 2: Witness Accounts 57:07

5M ago57:07

57:07

In episode 111 we continue our time in this former jail in the south west of England, in part-one you heard the detailed history of this site as well as the stories of those phantoms who are said to still be here, forever stalking these corridors and cells, long after their sentences would have ended. This time I will talk with two ladies who have …

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54. Threequels 1:21:08

5M ago1:21:08

1:21:08

The best things in life are three! An undeniable video game fact if this episode is anything to go by. Prepare yourselves for arguably the strongest lineup of games we've ever put to a vote. Also prepare for some Rob-related controversy around percentagegate (he's not happy). Who was right? Alex or Rob? Hit us up at @vg_hof on twitter or @vghof on …

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Ep 110 - Bodmin Jail Part 1: History and Hauntings 41:08

5M ago41:08

41:08

In episode 110 we head to Cornwall, and turn our attention to an infamous building, which is by far the location I’ve had the most requests to cover on the podcast. As a result this will be the first of a two-part special. In this episode I will tell you all about this former prison on the edge of Bodmin Moor, why it was built, the terrible conditi…

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June Patreon Teaser - Scaffold Hill Hospital EXTENDED EDITION Part 1 12:49

6M ago12:49

12:49

In the 34th Patreon bonus podcast you join me at the site of a former infectious diseases hospital, which is today the countryside centre for the vast country park in which it is located. But what would happen when John, Tom and I joined Spiritus Paranormal for a night which none of us would forget in a hurry. Tonight, let us together ask the quest…