Top 10 unconventional beliefs held by people in Britain confirmed in new study

A new study has found that most Brits’ have paranormal beliefs with 52 per cent saying they are spurred on by first-hand experience

A new study found that 70 per cent of Brits believe there are some events that science cannot explain (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The study of 2,000 people found that those living in the East of England are most likely to believe in UFOs, while Londoners believe most in witches.

The Northern Irish were most hopeful for a Bigfoot sighting and those on the Humber were open to mindreading and psychic powers being legitimate.

But Londoners consider themselves the most spiritual in the country, while those in the West Midlands are most likely to be sceptical of all supernatural phenomena.

The issue of an afterlife splits the country down the middle, with the study revealing an even divide between those who believe in life after death and those who don’t.

And 14 per cent have dabbled with a Ouija board to try and contact souls from beyond the grave.

Jamie Morris, director of programmes at Sky, which commissioned the research to launch its new mystical drama series, Souls, said: “I find it intriguing to see how spiritual, or indeed how sceptical, British people really are.”

The study also found Londoners marked themselves as the most susceptible to the supernatural, being the most likely to believe in many legendary beings and conspiracies, including demons, zombies, and that Elvis still lives.

While 43 per cent of all adults consider themselves believers in the spiritual side of life, although 33 per cent are more sceptical.

It also emerged 49 per cent followed an organised religion, 24 per cent opted for an atheistic viewpoint and 13 per cent chose agnostic.

Though 70 per cent feel there are some things in life that science and rational thought cannot explain.

Of those who believe in the supernatural or paranormal, 52 per cent were spurred on by evidence they discovered themselves, or a first-hand experience which proved to them their belief was real.

And 35 per cent just have a ‘gut feeling’ that, whether their belief is ghosts, little green men or werewolves, the truth is out there.

However, 24 per cent of those surveyed are embarrassed about one or more of their feelings.

While 26 per cent have received mocking comments at some point for sharing their unconventional views.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found 23 per cent have seen or spoken to a deceased relative in a dream, and 22 per cent have felt a ‘presence’ in their home.

An open-minded 21 per cent have visited a psychic to have their palm read or future told to them, and 16 per cent have scoured the night sky in search of alien life.

Souls, which is on Sky Atlantic and NOW, centres on three women whose lives are turned upside down when, after a car accident, 14-year-old Jacob believes he remembers his former life as the pilot of a lost passenger plane.

Jamie Morris added: “Souls dives into what can only be described as the unknown, exploring the afterlife, premonitions and the spiritual world.

“The show will certainly give viewers food for thought - whether they’re disbelievers, doubters or more spiritually minded.”

Top 10 unconventional beliefs held by people in Britain

Ghosts

Aliens/ UFOs

Reincarnation

That the JFK assassination was an inside job

Witches

Mindreading/ psychics

Demons

The Illuminati

Bigfoot

Werewolves