Since Victorian times, Christmas has traditionally been the time of year to gather around a log fire, turn the lights down low and indulge in a Ghost Story. Every year - journalist and broadcaster Jon Briggs (also known as the original voice of Siri in the UK) has recorded a haunted tale - thrilling enough to freeze your mulled wine and send shivers down the back of Santa's neck.They are collated here for your delectation and delight from 2015 onwards. Don't forget to come back next Christmas...will you?
Christmas 2023 - We Wish You a Scary Christmas
Thank you for taking the time to download and listen to this year's scary festive tale. It's a real cracker this year- and you don't even have to wear the paper hat! The Tale of the Monkey's Paw in it's original form, as written by W.W. Jacobs, is a "3 wishes" story with a cautionary tale enclosed. Although subsequently made into several films, the original story remains the scariest and the best. Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. We think we are the only annual podcast in the world - publishing every Christmas Eve - so thank you for your support and coming back every year. To follow Jon on social media just look for @voiceofsiri or @voiceofsiruk. You can contact him via http://www.jonbriggs.com
12/24/2023 • 29 minutes, 36 seconds
Christmas 2022 - Do You Hear What I Hear?
I'm so pleased you have returned for this year's Christmas Ghost Story. Written by a master of the supernatural - Algernon Blackwood. We last read his work in 2015. As well as being a prolific ghost story writer, he also happens to be a master of my own profession - broadcasting. In this year's tale, our hero is a 4th year student at Edinburgh University - but his hours of peaceful study are about to be rudely interrupted... Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. You can contact him via http://www.jonbriggs.com
12/24/2022 • 35 minutes, 58 seconds
Christmas 2021 - God Rest Ye Frightened Gentlemen
Welcome back for this year's Christmas Ghost Story. Written by William Wymark Jacobs in 1897, an author best known for his horror story The Monkey's Paw. This story reveals the tale of Jerry Bundler and the long term effects of his visit to a tavern, that still casts a shadow over revellers celebrating Christmas 80 years later....Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. You can contact him via http://www.jonbriggs.com
12/24/2021 • 20 minutes, 32 seconds
Christmas 2020 - Something Old and Something Grue-some
This year's Christmas Ghost Story is E. Nesbitt's "John Charrington's Wedding" from 1891. The story of a bride and bridegroom that you will never forget....Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. You can contact him at http://www.jonbriggs.com
12/24/2020 • 19 minutes, 53 seconds
Christmas 2019 - Widow Without You...
This years Christmas Ghost Story is "Father Macclesfield's Tale" by R.H.Benson. Written in 1907, the priest tells his tale of a widow and her haunted house...Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. You can contact him at http://www.jonbriggs.com
12/24/2019 • 19 minutes, 4 seconds
Christmas 2018 - Father Christmas is Dying to Meet You.
This years Christmas Ghost Story is "The Shop of Ghosts". Written in 1909 by G.K. Chesterton, it first appeared in London's Daily news, where our narrator enters a toy shop to find Father Christmas is dying...Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. You can contact him at http://www.jonbriggs.com
12/24/2018 • 12 minutes, 38 seconds
Christmas 2017 - Frightful Furniture
This year's Christmas Ghost Story is by Charles Dickens. It is titled "Mr Testator's Visitation" and was written in 1860. Have you ever wondered about the history of the furniture in your home? No? You might need to take a second look.....Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. You can contact him at http://www.jonbriggs.com
12/24/2017 • 10 minutes, 21 seconds
Christmas 2016 - Hide and Spook...
This year's Christmas Ghost Story is "Smee". Written by A.M.Burrage and originally published as part of a collection in the book Someone in the Room in 1931. A game of hide and seek will never seem the same again...Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. You can contact him at http://www.jonbriggs.com
12/24/2016 • 20 minutes
Christmas 2015 - Don't Get the Sack...
This year's Christmas Ghost Story is "The Kit Bag" . Written by Algernon Blackwood in 1908. A court case ends - but the evidence presented at the trial hasn't been finished with yet....Jon Briggs is a journalist, broadcaster and voice over. You may know him better as the original voice of Siri in the UK or the BBC's Weakest Link quiz show. You can contact him at http://www.jonbriggs.com
