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After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

The Fairy Hoax That Fooled the World

Ep. 38

In 1920 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published a story more explosive than any adventure of Sherlock Holmes. He claimed that photographic evidence had emerged that proved the existence of fairies.


The photos were taken by two young girls, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, in Cottingley, North Yorkshire. How did their charming art project end up fooling the creator of the greatest detective that ever lived?


Maddy tells Anthony the story.


Special thanks to James Carter as the voice of Conan Doyle.


Written by Maddy Pelling. Edited by Tom Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.


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