Psychic powers or tricks of the magic trade?

Popular clairvoyant Stephen Holbrook claims he can channel messages from the dead.

Wakefield-born Mr Holbrook appears in shows across northern England in cities including Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.

BBC Inside Out asked mentalist Kennedy to analyse one of his performances. He believes Mr Holbrook is using a traditional entertainment technique called 'cold reading'.

Kennedy demonstrates how easy it is to use the technique on the streets of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Mr Holbrook told Inside Out his critics are not qualified to judge him.

He says he does not advertise his evenings as entertainment shows because they are "genuine", and he denies using 'cold reading techniques'.

BBC Inside Out is on BBC One North East & Cumbria, North West and Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Monday, 10 December at 19:30 GMT and nationwide for seven days thereafter.