| “ | Turn off the lights, get into bed and plug in your earphones. It's time for a creepy bedtime story. For the discerning horror fan, we cover the most chilling cases from around the world. From the paranormal to the supernatural, unsolved mysteries and strange deaths to cryptids, conspiracy theories and the most disturbing of true crimes, all told in a unique and creepy way. Join us every week for a new scary story. | ” |
―Bedtime Stories' channel description | ||
Richard While, better known online as Bedtime Stories, is an English YouTube channel 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 side-line to his day job working as a Marketing Communications Executive, saying he initially liked to write creepy stories to scare his friends, 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 While's brother, Adrian, creating the banner image for each story. Sadly, Adrian passed away in 2014, which made While more determined to realize their original vision.
It took two years for him to find an artist - Mikey Turcanu - who could replicate his brother's talent and by that time, he had noticed that there were many YouTube channels discussing true horror and the paranormal and that they all used stock images to illustrate their stories.
The plan to launch a website was scrapped with While deciding to make a YouTube channel instead. He hit on the idea of using Turcanu's hand-drawn art to illustrate the stories while giving the channel a unique look. While has mentioned in Discord server chats that the channel is very much dedicated to his late brother.
For the initial run of episodes While took on the responsibility of writing, editing, and narrating every video himself, describing himself as the reluctant narrator,[1] until former journalist Dwain Reynolds joined the channel during the first season of episodes, who as well as helping during the creative process also served 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, with the channel continuing to expand, in late 2018 they advertised for new members of the channel's writing team and added Simon Andrews and George Forster for episodes being uploaded for 2019.[2]
Forster later took on the role of the channel's content manager, but left the team in 2020. The channel has also made videos based on stories told by their subscribers and requested by their Patreon supporters.
In April 2019 Richard While announced he would be stepping back from narrating duties to focus on writing and editing, with Ash Steel debuting as the channel's narrator starting with the April 14, 2019 episode. However, due to difficulties working with Ash, While returned to narration duties.
While has stated that Ash would often struggle to capture the right tone and that he would have to record transcripts two or three times to get it right. While felt this was unfair on the new narrator and it was mutually and amicably agreed between them that Ash step down.
In September 2020 it was announced that a sister channel, Wartime Stories, would be launching on 10th October.[3]
During an interview with Radiant Creators in February 2021, it was mentioned that the episodes written by Dwain Reynolds had been removed from the channel at Reynolds' request.[4]
The Team[]
- Richard While - narrator, writer, editor, animator (2017-)
- Mikey Turcanu - illustrator (2017-)
- Simon Andrews - writer, researcher (2019-)
- Christian Gaitán - artwork (2019-)
- Vijay Bharath - animation (2020-)
Former Team Members[]
- Dwain Reynolds - writer, editor (2017-19)
- Red Fawcett - writer (2018)
- Toby Young - researcher (2018-19)
- Ash Steel - narrator (2019)
- George Foster - writer, digital content manager (2019-2020)
Channel milestones[]
Subscriber milestones[]
Note: The following dates are according to Social Blade. Dates may vary by one or two days due to differences in time zones.
- 100,000 subscribers: December 29, 2018
- 200,000 subscribers: June 24, 2019
- 250,000 subscribers: August 30, 2019
- 300,000 subscribers: September 8, 2019
- 400,000 subscribers: January 13, 2020
- 500,000 subscribers: August 12, 2020
Video view milestones[]
- 1 million views: July 29, 2018
- 5 million views: November 22, 2018
- 10 million views: March 5, 2019
- 20 million views: August 1, 2019
- 30 million views: November 7, 2019
- 40 million views: March 14, 2020
- 50 million views: July 16, 2020
Trivia[]
- The channel released their first book, in 2019.[5]
- The channel logo has been given the affectionate nickname "Skully" by the team.
- Prior to starting the channel, Rich was in the band The Sibling Rivalry, as mentioned in the channel's community tab.[6]
- On the 4th August 2019, the narrator and creator of the YouTube channel, Top5s, appeared as a guest narrator for Bedtime Stories
- While briefly narrated for Top5s sister channel, Cold Case Detective
- Rich helpfully corrected a few details for this page
References[]
- ↑ Bedtime Stories: The Team
- ↑ Twitter: @BdtmStrs We're looking to take on another writer and what better place to search than right here? Think you can work to a brief and deliver to a deadline? Want to earn a bit of extra cash?
- ↑ Twitter: @BdtmStrs New sister channel focusing on war stories launching 10th October! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrJdCKIddUxHExmbMN6gZ9A
- ↑ YouTube: Bedtime Stories Interview and Q&A with Radiant Creators
- ↑ GoodReads: Bedtime Stories - Volume 1: 40 Creepy Tales from Around the World
- ↑ YouTube: Secret Agenda