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As Danny Robins’ Uncanny prepares for its fifth season, there’s a special Halloween countdown under way.

Uncanny returns this October, with an hour-long episode, recorded at London’s BBC Radio Theatre with audience in attendance for the first time ever, and broadcast on the most haunted evening of the year. Ahead of that, short ghost stories sent by Uncanny fans across the UK will countdown to Halloween, appearing in the programme’s podcast feed one per day throughout October.

The Halloween episode kicks off the fifth series of the main podcast – which investigates real-life stories of seemingly supernatural encounters. The Halloween live event from the BBC Radio Theatre will see superfans from Team Sceptic and Team Believer gather to pose theories, ask questions, and crack a new case. For the spooky occasion, Danny focuses on an unsettling story of neighbourhood-wide paranormal activity. He tells of his visit to Bath to meet Virginia, who moved to the city with her young family. A series of strange events in her terraced house cause her to question her perception of reality, until an exchange with a neighbour reveals she is not the only one experiencing scary occurrences….

In an Uncanny first, this programme will be played live in London’s BBC Radio Theatre to an audience, who will then be invited to continue the investigation with Danny, experts and a special celebrity guest. Audience reactions to every terrifying twist and turn will be captured and shared on social media along the way.

Uncanny host and writer Danny Robins said: “Halloween is like paranormal Christmas and there was no way we were going to let it happen without making it a really special Uncanny moment. This exciting live event will be deeply atmospheric and kicks off what I know so many people have been waiting for – a brand new full-length Uncanny series of 10 terrifying new episodes – keeping you happily spooked out every week right up until the end of the year. I can’t wait to unleash the chills!”

BBC Commissioning Editor, Podcasts and Formats Rhian Roberts said: “‘We all get ridiculously thrilled about the return of Uncanny. Like our loyal audience we love the ‘Do I or don’t I believe in ghosts?’ as every story tests our scepticism or belief. With interest in marking Halloween increasing across the country, Uncanny is the place to build up to the moment together and then get scared silly together as well.’

Following the live episode, the new ten-part Uncanny series will feature terrifying encounters on the A229; a real-life visit from the Men In Black; a Tudor house that has some very modern ways to scare its new inhabitants, and a group of goths getting a lot more than they bargained for as they come face to face with a poltergeist.