Television personality and self-professed spirit medium Derek Acorah has often courted controversy, but he insists that many of his doubters have never even seen him in action.

As with any performers proclaiming a supernatural gift, Acorah has had to deal with criticism, outrage and high-profile parodies of his act.

But, as a veteran of 19 years’ touring, he insists that his track record speaks for itself, and he challenges his critics to come and watch his show so that he can prove them wrong.

“This will be my first live show in Braintree, but I’ve been in the area before filming for my TV programmes.

“When you come to a new theatre where you haven’t done shows before, it’s always refreshing.

“There’s an extra buzz and a new audience who often do not know what to expect.”

So what is a typical experience for an audience member during Derek’s True Vision tour?

“Last night, there was an elderly lady who came along with her husband.

“Her sister had passed away recently and the details that were communicated were amazing.

“She started talking about an event that had happened to the lady and her husband at 4pm that same afternoon before they came to the show.

“It knocked them sideways - they were stunned by what they heard.”

Derek’s enthusiasm is clear in his voice as he recounts experiences that have taken place on his tour in recent weeks, but do such seemingly extraordinary readings rely on having an audience member who is a willing participant?

I put it to Derek that he would struggle to get a valid reading from a sceptic sitting in the audience, but he disagrees.

“It happens to the sceptics in the audience just as well as anyone.

“We’ve had a large amount already on this tour - people who didn’t really want to come but were dragged along by someone else.

“But so many of them come talk to me after a show and say that they are amazed.”

As he talks about a disbelieving audience member who had recently lost his job being given a motivational talk by his deceased father, the conviction in Derek’s voice is striking.

In a way, it is unimportant whether he genuinely believes in his gift or whether he is a convincing actor and performer, audiences will find themselves scratching their heads in wonder anyway.

Being a spirit medium, Acorah tells me, is a “vocation” that has passed through his family.

“It started at the age of six when I saw an unfamiliar man at my grandmother’s house.

“My grandmother then brought out an album of old photos and asked if I could spot the man I had seen.

“There he was in one of the photos dressed up in a dark suit - she then told me that it was my grandfather, who had died two and a half years before I was born.”

Whatever you think of Derek Acorah, he is undeniably a compelling orator and someone who seems to have the gift of holding an audience captive.

How does he respond to the negative press he receives?

“My worst critics are people who have never been to my shows.

“All I can do is invite them to come along and see for themselves - I can’t do any more than that.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in Braintree, critics included.”

Derek Acorah’s True Vision Tour comes to the Bocking Arts Theatre tomorrow at 7.30pm.

Tickets prices start from £15 and are available by calling 01279 815464 or visiting www.wegottickets.com/thebocking