Derek Acorah, One Night in Ton Pentre, and the Guidance That Stayed With Me

There are certain people in the world of mediumship who leave a mark far beyond the stage. People who open doors, encourage others, and help shape the next generation, sometimes without ever realising the full impact they have had.

For me, one of those people was Derek Acorah.

My connection with Derek was not built over years of touring together, but through moments that, looking back now, carried more significance than I realised at the time. It began through conversations on the old Twitter platform, and later through a single evening when we shared the stage together in 2014 in Ton Pentre, in the Rhondda Valleys.

Sometimes it only takes one conversation or one night to leave a lasting impression.

Back then, social media was a different place. It felt more personal, more direct. We would exchange messages now and again, talking about the work, the pressures of public life, and the responsibility that comes with representing Spirit. Derek was already a well-known figure across the UK. He had brought mediumship into people’s living rooms through television and public demonstrations, and for many people, he was the first medium they had ever seen.

Yet despite his fame, he was approachable.

There was always encouragement in his words. He understood the challenges of stepping into the public arena, and he never made you feel small or inexperienced. Those conversations meant more to me than he probably ever knew. They gave me reassurance at a time when I was still building my confidence and finding my place within this work.

Then came 2014.

I had the opportunity to work alongside him for one evening in Ton Pentre, a community in the Rhondda Valleys known for its warmth and strong sense of togetherness. It was not a grand theatre or a big city venue, but it did not need to be. The room was filled with people who had come with hope in their hearts, and there was a genuine atmosphere of connection from the moment the doors opened.

I remember feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement.

Sharing a stage with someone of Derek’s stature naturally brings pressure. You want to do your best. You want to represent Spirit properly. You want to honour the opportunity. But what struck me most that night was how relaxed and genuine he was.

There was no ego.

He spoke to people easily, laughed freely, and treated everyone with respect. Whether backstage or in front of the audience, he carried himself with confidence, but also with warmth. That presence made a difference, not just to the audience, but to those working alongside him.

We spoke briefly, shared the stage, did the work, and then the night came to an end, like so many demonstrations do. Yet the memory stayed with me. Sometimes it is not the length of time you spend with someone that matters, but the quality of the experience and the lesson it leaves behind.

Then came the news that shocked so many of us.

His death was tragic, and it was deeply felt across the spiritual community and beyond. When someone so familiar to the public passes suddenly, it leaves a sense of disbelief. For many people, Derek was more than a television personality or a working medium. He was a figure who had introduced them to the idea of life beyond this world.

His passing created a silence.

Not just in theatres, but in the community itself. It felt like the loss of a voice that had helped bring comfort to countless people. Even though I had only worked with him once in person, the impact of his loss was real. It made me reflect on the conversations we had shared and the example he had set.

It reminded me how fragile life is, and how important it is to value every opportunity we are given.

Every stage.
Every audience.
Every moment.

In the years since his passing, his legacy has continued through the people he inspired, encouraged, and supported. I am proud to say that today I am part of Friends of Derek Acorah, a lasting tribute to the man who meant so much to so many.

Being involved in this tribute is not about recognition. It is about respect.

It is about keeping his spirit of service alive and continuing the work he believed in. Through Friends of Derek Acorah, we offer live demonstrations on social media, reaching people in their homes in much the same way Derek once did through television and public appearances. It feels fitting that modern technology continues to carry that message forward.

For me personally, being part of this tribute carries deep meaning.

It is a way of honouring the encouragement he offered, the example he set, and the influence he had on so many of us in this field. It is also a reminder that sometimes the smallest connections can leave the biggest impact.

A conversation online.
A single evening on stage.
A moment of shared purpose.

That night in Ton Pentre in 2014 may have been just one show, but it became part of my journey. It became a memory I carry with gratitude and respect.

And now, through the work we continue and the demonstrations we offer in his name, his legacy lives on.

Not only in history, but in the people who carry the work forward.

Including me.