Killers, Cults and Queens

On this Spooky Sleepover, Nikki and Cheryl are kick off the start of November with a swift goodbye to the spooky season and are already in the Christmas spirit! The pair chat all things about Cheryl’s upcoming pantomime season in London, they discuss their fav festive sandwiches and the trauma that comes with supermarket temptations with Christmas goodies.

The pair debrief on the case of the Patreon mini-episode on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Jen Shah, discussing the fraud case, her TV persona, and prospects for a return to television. They also discuss th...

Who was the Isdal Woman, and why did she go to such extraordinary lengths to hide her identity? In part two of one of Europe's most baffling unsolved mysteries, we're picking up where we left off as investigators begin piecing together the final movements of the unidentified woman found dead in Norway's Isdalen Valley in 1970.

After discovering two suitcases abandoned in Bergen railway station, police had uncovered wigs, disguises, foreign currency, coded notes and clothing with every identifying label removed. But one seemingly insignificant item would provide investigators with their next lead: a shoe shop dust bag...

A mysterious woman. A body burned beyond recognition. Two suitcases full of disguises, foreign currency and coded notebooks. And absolutely no idea who she really was.

In this episode of Killers, Cults & Queens, Nikki and Cheryl investigate one of Norway's most baffling unsolved mysteries: the case of the Isdal Woman.

It's November 1970, and a family hiking through the remote Isdalen Valley near Bergen, Norway, stumble across something horrifying. Nestled among the rocks is the badly burned body of a woman. Her face has been destroyed by fire, her clothes have almost entirely disappeared, and...

On this Spooky Sleepover, Nikki and Cheryl are live in studio together on the back of recording brand new main cases for you all. Nikki drops the bombshell news that she is now a MOTHER… to two new baby cats! Their names are so cute but more-so, very Nikki Druce. Cheryl spills all the beans on her latest appearance on The Real Housewives of London and what it was like prepping the housewives for a Drag Roast!

The pair debrief on the case of the men with The Lead Masks. And why did Nick Knowles made a...

In today's minisode we pick up with the woman who's "fighting for her life, not your approval" in part two of our deep dive on perhaps the most controversial criminal Real Housewives star - Jen Shah. You'll know by now that Cheryl and Nikki are addicted to the Real housewives of Salt Lake City and it's given them something to bond over. And one particular scandal made their jaws drop in unison - the criminal pursuits of Jen Shah.

She claims to be downtrodden and work harder than anyone else but when it was revealed that...

What's this? A patreon episode on main? Yes, that's right, it's time for a little treat.

Whilst Nikki and Cheryl are getting chapter two of the pod ready for you, enjoy an episode from our patreon mini eps. We'll be back next week as usual with a brand new case but for now, enjoy this bitesized chunk of KCQ...

If you you know Cheryl and Nikki, you know they have both bonded over The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Nikki had surgery and Cheryl got her hooked whilst she had nothing better...

On this Spooky Sleepover, Nikki and Cheryl are back discussing their jam packed week. From Cheryl’s 33rd Birthday celebrations, to the Edinburgh Live show and all the backstage antics to Cheryl’s experience on the Caledonian Sleeper train from Edinburgh to London STRAIGHT after the show in a 25 hour round trip.

The pair debrief on the case of Borley Rectory and all its hauntings, the queens find out some Norwegian words that are similar to the case and one listener email sends auestions religious figures and ghosts.

Diving down the rabbit hole this...

Two men. Two mysterious lead masks. A remote Brazilian hillside. And a case so bizarre that it still has people asking one very big question: were they trying to contact aliens?

Welcome to Killers, Cults & Queens, where Cheryl and Nikki investigate one of the strangest unexplained deaths in true crime history: the infamous Lead Masks Case.

On 20 August 1966, an 18-year-old boy went looking for his lost kite on Vintém Hill in Niterói, Brazil. Instead, he stumbled across the bodies of two men lying side by side in the grass. They were dressed in...

🎟️ SEE US LIVE ON TOUR

Last stop - Brighton 28th October - tickets: https://cheerfulearful.co.uk

Have you ever wondered what a slightly cultured version of The Spooky Sleepover would be? Well, we've finally managed it because this one has poetry by the wonderful Robin Ince. We loved this chat, things get a bit vulnerable and at times, a bit emotional tbh!! Robin tells us a few of his favourite poems he's written, Cheryl and Nikki discuss forgotten creative pursuits and how pesky capitalism sneaking into everything ruins it all for everyone.

COME AND SEE US ON TOUR THIS OCTOBER!

15th October - The Monkey Barrel - Edinburgh

28th October - Komedia - Brighton

https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/

Was Borley Rectory really the most haunted house in England, or was something far more human going on behind its terrifying reputation? 👻

In Part Two of our deep dive into the infamous Borley Rectory haunting, Nikki and Cheryl are joined by special guest Robin Ince to explore the chilling reports, strange discoveries and controversial investigations that helped turn this Essex mansion int...

🎟️ SEE US LIVE ON TOUR

Edinburgh 15th October Money Barrel - 7-8:30pm and Brighton 28th October - 7-8:30pm - tickets: https://cheerfulearful.co.uk

👻 Is Borley Rectory really the most haunted house in England? Or is there a darker explanation behind one of Britain's most famous paranormal mysteries?

This week on Killers, Cults & Queens, Nikki and Cheryl are joined by comedian, writer and horror enthusiast Robin Ince to investigate the chilling history of Borley Rectory — the infamous Essex house that became synonymous with ghost sightings, unexplained noises and terrifying tales of the sup...

On this Spooky Sleepover, the pair debrief on their weekend at Crime Con, spill the tea on their upcoming live shows and Nikki tells all about the Haunt at Thorpe Parks Horror Night that ended up in a trip to the medical bay.

Nikki and Cheryl debrief on the Titanic case and one listener email sends the queens down the potential conspiracy theories route.

CONTENT WARNING FOR THE RABBIT HOLES: Diving down the rabbit hole this week, Nikki has a deep dive into the Christa Pike case with discussions of her time on...

Imagine discovering that your wife has been secretly keeping her lover in the attic… for FOUR YEARS.

In this episode of Killers, Cults & Queens, Nikki and Cheryl head back to the 1920s for one of the strangest true crime stories we've ever covered: the bizarre case of Dolly Oesterreich and Otto Sanhuber.

In 1922, Fred Oesterreich was shot dead inside his Los Angeles home. His wife Dolly was discovered locked inside a pantry, apparently the terrified victim of a robbery gone wrong. But there was one problem: the evidence didn't quite add up.

Be...

The Titanic sank on 15 April 1912 — but what happened after the ship disappeared beneath the Atlantic?

In the final part of our Titanic series, Nikki and Cheryl go beyond the famous sinking to uncover what happened to the survivors, the dead, and the wreckage left behind. As survivors waited in freezing lifeboats, the RMS Carpathia raced towards them. But rescuing those who survived was only the beginning. Hundreds of people were still missing in the icy Atlantic, and recovery ships were sent back to search for the dead.

In this episode of Killers, Cults an...

On this Spooky Sleepover, Cheryl starts off with a massive rant and the pair discuss the unspoken rules of podcasting. Cheryl’s Misophonia couldn’t take ANYMORE podcasters eating on the job! Nikki shows off her spooky new nails and the pair get deep into Spooky Season prep!

The pair debrief on this week’s case on the murder of JonBenét Ramsey and react to some listener comments for Part 3 and 4 of the case.

Diving down the rabbit hole this week, Nikki has MORE updates on the case including a forensic analysis who wor...

🎟️ SEE US LIVE ON TOUR

Edinburgh, London and Brighton tickets, plus London livestream options: https://cheerfulearful.co.uk

The Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable. On the night of 14 April 1912, everything changed.

In Part 2 of our Titanic series, Killers, Cults & Queens takes you inside the final hours of RMS Titanic — from the moment the iceberg was spotted to the devastating decisions that followed.

Why were Titanic's lifeboats launched half empty? What did "women and children first" actually mean? Why did some passengers refuse to leave the ship? And how did so...

The Titanic was the most luxurious ship in the world. But how did the supposedly unsinkable ship go from a floating palace to one of history's deadliest maritime disasters? And what REALLY happened before she ever hit the iceberg?

In Part 1 of our Titanic series, Cheryl and Nikki explore the incredible true story of the RMS Titanic, from her construction in Belfast to her ill-fated maiden voyage in April 1912.

Forget everything you think you know from the blockbuster movie. We're going back to the beginning to uncover the real history of the Titanic, the lives...

On this Spooky Sleepover, Nikki & Cheryl spill the tea on their upcoming live shows and what to expect. Nikki tells all about her new(ish) portable DVD player that sounds like an aircraft and the pair reflect on the nostalgic DVDs and all their bonus bonanza. 

The pair debrief on this week’s case on the murder of JonBenét Ramsey and react to some listener comments who have some thoughts on potential suspects that weren’t even a thought! 

Diving down the rabbit hole this week, Nikki has an UPDATE on the case to...

COME AND SEE US ON TOUR THIS OCTOBER!

8th October- The Bedford - London (Livestream available if you can't make it in person)

15th October - The Monkey Barrel - Edinburgh

28th October - Komedia - Brighton

https://www.cheerfulearful.co.uk/

In the final episode of our four-part series on the unsolved murder of JonBenét Ramsey, we turn our attention to the Ramsey family themselves — Patsy, Burke and John — and examine the theories, evidence and unanswered questions that have kept this case in the public eye for a...

Who killed JonBenét Ramsey?

In Part Three of our deep dive into one of the most notorious unsolved murder cases in modern history, Nikki and Cheryl examine the suspects, theories and bizarre confessions surrounding the murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey.

From the intruder theory and the strange circumstances surrounding the ransom note, to the people investigated by police and the suspects who later inserted themselves into the case, we look at some of the most widely discussed possibilities surrounding JonBenét's death.

We examine the claims surrounding Gary Oli...

On this Spooky Sleepover, Nikki & Cheryl dive straight into it with their weekly updates. Cheryl has been chasing her shopping Dopamine high ever since she hit the shops with her sister & Nikki spills the beans on her solo trip to the Soho Theatre. The Queens give you all an update on the podcast too!

In an audience request, the pair do one more blind ranking but this time… British Chain Restaurants. And let’s just say, Nikki’s ranking is definitely gonna leave you angry! 

Diving down the rabbit hole this week, fresh off of...

The investigation into the murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey continues in Part Two of our deep dive into one of the most infamous unsolved true crime cases in history.

In this episode of Killers, Cults & Queens, Nikki and Cheryl return to Boulder, Colorado, in the aftermath of JonBenét's murder on Boxing Day 1996. What should have been a straightforward investigation into a kidnapping quickly became a murder investigation — but the crime scene had already been seriously compromised.

We look at the Ramsey family, the backgrounds of John, Patsy and Burke Ramsey, and the even...

Christmas Day. A beautiful family home. Presents under the tree. And a six-year-old beauty queen who has no idea that this will be her final Christmas.

In December 1996, JonBenét Ramsey was murdered inside her family home in Boulder, Colorado. By the following morning, her mother had discovered a bizarre ransom note claiming that JonBenét had been kidnapped — and the police were called.

But there was a problem.

JonBenét was never taken from the house.

Her body would be discovered hours later in the basement.

On this Spooky Sleepover, Nikki & Cheryl are back discussing Cheryl’s instagram fail thinking her latest post was an obituary and Nikki is so excited for her building work to finally come to an end. Cheryl also has a special announcement for a TV appearance she has coming up!

In a new segment, Cheryl challenges Nikki to ‘Flag It or Bag It’ ranking scenarios with red/beige or green flags. 

Diving down the rabbit hole this week, Nikki induces us all into trauma land and lets us all know about the top worst items l...

Calling all true crime obsessives, paranormal princesses, and unsolved mystery addicts – it’s time to get spooky! Join Nikki and Cheryl as they return with exciting news - Killers, Cults & Queens is now going to ALWAYS ON which means no more season breaks and no chance to miss us because we're sticking around this time!!

This chapter, we’re diving deeper into infamous serial killers, twisted cults and the dark history you can't get enough of. Expect shocking stories, eerie surprises, and spine-tingling twists alongside a guest or two. AND we've got plenty of new surprises up our...

On this Spooky Sleepover, Cheryl & Nikki leap straight into September. The divas catch up after the bank holiday madness. Both debrief on their concerts of Sugababes in Chelmsford & Twenty One Pilots at All Points East for Cheryl and Nikki down on the south coast for Victorious Festival. The pair talk about the highs and lows of Festival food and some of the crap and crème de la crème items with a little ducky surprise.

After last week’s Blind Ranking bonanza, Cheryl tests Nikki again but this time we’re getting more controversial… With PIZZA TO...

THIS WEEKS EPISODE IS A CORKER! YOU’RE NOT READY!

On this Spooky Sleepover, Cheryl & Nikki catch up on this week’s antics. Cheryl tells all about her current rants about coffee shop etiquette, and Nikki asks would you use your real name or a fake name when ordering your coffee. Cheryl cannot stand peoples ridiculous coffee orders and the girls debate about the age old milk debate. 

Cheryl tests Nikki with a blind ranking list of British food classics- with some absolute debate on the placement and we find out where we ALL s...

This week on The Spooky Sleepover, Cheryl & Nikki are back after some technical difficulties & the pair catch up on this weeks antics. Cheryl spills about her clean girl life by de-hoarding her house and what really grinds her gears with it. Nikki has turned Paparazzi and been chasing around the streets of Soho for one very famous cat! 

The girls play another round of Am I The Arsehole and a deep discussion is had whether a simple family argument should have outed your siblings virgin status?

Diving down the rabbit hole this week, N...

This week on The Spooky Sleepover, The queens update on the latest KCQ news including the Tour Announcement in October. Nikki tells all about a fart that went astray at a hotel breakfast and Cheryl is patient zero as she has been struck down with a mysterious cold.

A impromptu trip to the cinema for Cheryl opens up conversations about the correct time to have nachos at the pictures and you asked for it… The pair list their top pick and mix selections and brave the extortionate prices.

Diving down the rabbit hole th...

Ask and you shall receive divas! 💅🏻 For the first time ever, you can experience your favourite Detective Divas LIVE as Killers, Cults & Queens hits the road this October with Cheerful Earful taking you to the spookiest, Scariest & damn right weirdest corners of the world! 👻

With three exclusive shows across the UK, experience your favourite true crime podcast in the room with Nikki Druce and Cheryl as they explore gripping new cases, live performances from Cheryl, Spooky surprises and a whole lot of fun! 🎉

Find us at:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Edinburgh | 15th October

🇬🇧 London | 17th October

🌊 Brighton...

This week on The Spooky Sleepover, Cheryl debriefs on her sun-soaked holiday to Crete, while Nikki survives her very first camping trip and discovers that camping showers are somehow both curious and camp at the same time (if you’ll pardon the pun). The pair also wrap up Season 5 of Killers, Cults & Queens, look back on some of their favourite moments and tease what's to come in the next chapter of the podcast. Get ready for more episodes, more cases and more in your ears and on the eyes… 

Diving down the rabbit hole this week, Chery...

A gang of grandads have stolen £14 Mil in diamonds, gold and precious stones but they left no trace behind and now the police have no idea who to go after.

As the gang thinks they've gotten away with their mega haul of jewels, they don't realise they're being watched by the most elite fraud unit in the country - The Flying Squad.

As they carry out their surveillance, they follow the threads that lead them to their suspects but one is noticeably absent - but what happened to these pensioners and how did they get c...

When the last of the east ends gangsters set their eyes on a seemingly unachievable target, they knew they had their work cut out for them.

But these were no ordinary criminals, they were some of the most hardened theives in the game. Responsible for some of the countries biggest heists including Brinks Mat and The Security Express Depot robberies, these men knew if anyone could carry this of, they'd be the most likely to...except there was once small problem...they were all in their sixties or above.

Breaking into the Hatton Garden...

This week on The Spooky Sleepover Cheryl tells us all about her Bree Van De Kamp lifestyle of being the doting housewife of Essex, debriefs on her trauma after cooking in full drag on Celebrity Master Chef and we have a Cat Watch update from Nikki’s neighbourhood watch patrols with some brand new divas in the mix.

The pair also debrief this week’s case from the Grindr Killer, Stephen Port case. Discussions are had about the misconduct from the Met Police and how this all could have been prevented if they just looked al litt...

Three bodies of young gay men have been found dead, all within a short distance of each other. These deaths are treated by the police as overdoses when there is quite obviously a pattern emerging which they fail to see.

In their pockets are bottles of a drug known as GHB, none of them have a mobile phone and they're always found outside in or near to a churchyard.

As the devestated families of these victims start to put the pieces together, they work out that their loved ones killer is a man who can't...

When a series of young gay men die from supposed drug overdoses, the police take it as given that nothing weird is going on. Despite there being a lot of evidence to the contrary, they fall into the trap of a serial killer who is taking the lives of young men and believe his lies.

Using a technique which looked like an accidental overdose, this man - Stephen Port, got away with many preventable murders. But how did the police manage to miss such obvious clues and why did they believe the lies that the killer was...

This week on The Spooky Sleepover Nikki & Cheryl cool off after another heatwave, Cheryl tells all about her crazy 5 days of London Events from Partying with Madonna to falling over in Soho in 6 inch heels & Nikki lets us all know about the updates from Tasmania as a local legend- Neil The Seal has made his triumphant return after being moved on from the chaos and carnage he created on the streets. 

The pair also debrief this week’s case from the 9/11 “survivor” Tania Head and Nikki lets us know some new facts about the towers and what ac...

On September the 11th 2001, the worst terrorist attack of all time happened at the twin towers of The World Trade Centre in Lower Manhattan New York City. The world of Tania Head changed that day, she claimed she was on the upper floor of The World Trade Centre South Tower when the plane hit where she sustained life changing injuries to her arm. She was rescued by a firefighter - Welles Crowther and somehow she managed to avoid the gore floor of sky lobby, the floor with the largest loss of life in the whole tower.

...

9/11 was an event which changed the world forever. On the 9th of September 2001, two planes flew into the twin towers of The World Trade Centre and the devastation left in the wake of the attack was enormous.

As the dust settled, ground zero was cleared and a war was launched, there were some people left out of the narrative. The focus from the press was solely on the dead and the impact on the city but thousands of survivors were left without support. People decided to join together, turning to online chat rooms to find community and...

Welcome to another SPOOKY SLEEPOVER!

The girls are glad it's cooler, Nikki has been out getting complimented hand over fist and Cheryl has invested in AirCon. They then catch-up on this weeks episode and discuss the pros and cons of Rajneeshpuram, the cult that wouldnt quit until it had no other option.

Then it's time for their Rabbit Holes of the week - Nikki is enthralling us with the wrid world of snowglobes and Cheryl is discussing norman naming of meats - why do we call beef, pork and venison something else form the...