Not only has the TV star been given access to one of Britain's most haunted theatres in Leeds City Varieties, he has also scooped the Most Popular Spiritual Male Award at the Spiritual Connextions ceremony – the Oscars of the spiritual industry.

Barrie is currently starring in a series of exclusive web-tv programmes called Haunted Leeds on the Yorkshire Evening Post website, with each episode investigating paranormal activity at six of the city's most famous – and most notorious – buildings.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the City Varieties episode of Haunted Leeds, Barrie said: "City Varieties was a very emotional place for me. But it also felt like a place that had lost its soul and beauty."

The investigation, which also features YEP writers Grant Woodward and Debbie Leigh, as well as YEP commercial manager Nicola Atkinson and paranormal investigator Lynne Robinson, was carried out while the theatre was undergoing exploratory works as part of a bid for funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund for extensive refurbishment.

"It could be such a beautiful building," added Barrie. "I thought it was a lovely place and I really hope they are successful in their bid for funds.

To watch the full video, go to our dedicated Haunted Leeds website www.hauntedleeds.co.uk or www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

"As for the activity there, I thought we gathered some good proof and there was enough going on to convince me that it would be worth an even more extended investigation.

"We had some particularly good table moving and, as the episode shows, Lynne had a very unnerving experience out on the stage area."

Commenting on his award success, he said: "It's nice to be recognised for the work I've done, especially as this is something that is voted for by the public.

"It's nice that I can give something back to people."

The latest episode of Haunted Leeds lifts the lid on the ghosts said to haunt City Varieties which for many years hosted the BBC's The Good Old Days and is the country's oldest working music hall, dating back to 1762.

There have been several ghost sightings at the Varieties – with people said to have seen a man in Victorian attire and a top hat, there have also been sightings of another man in a bowler hat and old-fashioned clothing standing on stage near the piano.

There's also the story of a TV producer, who was once locked in the Circle bar accidentally overnight and awoke to see a lady actress staring at him.

He is said to have shouted in terror and watched as she appeared to walk through the fireplace.

A piano that plays by itself in the night and the ghost of a man who was found hanged inside the theatre are just some of the mysteries the Haunted Leeds team try to unravel.

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