Bedtime Stories

"Turn off the lights, get into bed and plug in your earphones. It's time for a creepy bedtime story."

Bedtime Stories is a British YouTube channel created by Richard While that recounts tales of true horror, from the unexplained to the supernatural to some horrifying true crimes.

About
Richard While had a passion for creative writing as a sideline to his day job working as a Marketing Communications Executive, saying he initially liked to write creepy stories to scare his mates, until it was suggested that maybe he could make more of his hobby. The initial plan was to create a website that told true horror stories, with artist Mikey Turcanu creating the banner image for each story, until While noticed that while there were many YouTube channels discussing true horror and the paranormal they all used stock images to illustrate the stories, and While hit on the idea of using Turcanu's hand-drawn art to illustrate the stories while giving the channel a unique look.

Realising it was a one-man operation, While took on the responsibility of writing, editing and narrating every video until he was joined by former journalist Dwain Reynolds during the first season of episodes, who as well as helping during the creative process also serves as the channel's proof-reader and copy editor.

Since the channel began to grow, they have added Red Fawcett to the writing team, and have also made videos based on stories told by their subscribers.

The Flannan Isle Lighthouse Mystery
In 1900 a steamship noted the light from the lighthouse on Flannan Isles was not operational in spite of the poor weather conditions. A few days later, once the weather had cleared, a relief vessel traveled to the islands and became concerned when none of the lighthouse keepers was there to welcome them ashore

The Curse of the Ourang Medan
In 1947 the radio operator from the ship Ourang Medan sent out a distress call saying he was the last surviving member of the ship's crew. Discovering the ship drifting in the Indian Ocean, the crew of the ship Silver Star board in an attempt to rescue survivors and salvage the ship's cargo, only to find the radio operator's words to be correct

The Last Moments of Elisa Lam
In 2013 a Canadian student by the name of Elisa Lam was visiting Los Angeles and staying at the Cecil Hotel, but after a few days in the city she stopped calling home, even though her belongings were still in her hotel room. Two weeks after she disappeared the hotel released a video of Elisa acting strangely inside on of the hotel's elevators, and a few days later guests were complaining about the discoloured water coming through their taps

The Body on the Reservoir
In 1988 a body was found on the banks of a man-made reservoir in São Paulo. Several years later, in 1994, the coroners report was leaked to the press detailing the horrific mutilations the corpse had inflicted upon it, mutilations which seemed impossible for either man or animal to inflict upon a human being

The Ghosts of Stocksbridge Bypass
A stretch of the A616 has become notorious for the number of fatal accidents that have occurred since its opening in 1988. Yet in spite of its reputation as a dangerous road, there are several people who have reported experiencing something equally terrifying on the road

The Dyatlov Pass Incident
In February 1959 a group of nine ski hikers set off on an expedition across the Dyatlov Pass, stating they would return to base no later than the 12th. Once the date had passed with no sign of the part, a search party set out to find them, and on the 26th the remains of the party's campsite was found, along with the remains of the party - but what had happened on the night of their deaths defied rational explanation

James Dean's Little Bastard
In September 1955, James Dean bought a Porsche 550 Spyder that he dubbed "Little Bastard" as he looked to continue balancing his acting and his racing career, yet a week later Dean was killed while driving the car - however this was not the last piece of misfortune to befall those who owned "Little Bastard"

The Wraith of Trench Pool - A Subscriber Story
Whilst cycling to work one October morning, channel subscriber Reece Matthews almost collided with a woman on the gravel path beside Trench Pool in Telford, but having avoided her he looked back to see nobody was there. Yet this was not the last time he encountered this woman

The Mysterious Disappearance of Flight 19
In December 1945 a squadron of five torpedo bombers departed from Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale for a routine training exercise off the coast of Grand Bahama Island before returning to base, but once the exercise was complete the squadron leader reported that his compass was malfunctioning and he was unable to ascertain where they were

25 Cromwell Street
In February 1994, the police investigated a house in Gloucester on suspicion that the body of the daughter of the occupants, Fred & rose West, was buried in the garden. What they did not expect was they would soon uncover one of the most gruesome crimes in British history, crimes which dated back over twenty years.