I know not many people in the paranormal world watches Most Haunted, But those who do may be wondering where the great Lesley smith has gone...well here is your answer...
Myself and Gobby will miss her
Good Luck Lesley

 
LESLEY SAYS GOODBYE TO MOST HAUNTED!
In August my Mother died, quite suddenly. As a result of her death I have decided to leave the shows as I feel I need to have a quite time of reflection and a chance to catch up with my Phd writing which is a considerable academic burden and takes some concentration and peace.
I will continue with my historic presentations in various guises such as Elizabeth 1st. and Mary Queen of Scots across the UK and Europe as I do now - about 200 a year! I will also continue to lecture in Universities and schools.
I am not sad about this decision as it is by my choice and the team and production crew have been so very kind and understanding about the situation.
I am not leaving my friends on the show as we have a personal as well as a professional relationship which will continue, with luck for many years to come. My particular thanks to the girls who have become like sisters to me, Yvette and Cath. I would also like to send my best wishes to Paul Ross and Julian Clegg who taught me a great deal about live television.
The professional historic community and site owners for locations have been fantastic and I have never had a single criticism from them just letters and emails of support for my work to bring as many people as possible to think about and appreciate history as a subject. To my colleagues in America who were so helpful with the research work there, thank you. I was dependent on the support of universities and historic groups to help me as American history is both complex and fascinating.
The paranormal community have frequently come to see me here at Tutbury Castle and I know this will continue. The paranormal interests me as a subject but history is, and will remain, my passion.
I have worked across America, flown across the great hills of Transylvania and have been able to visit and film in some of the most amazing sites on the planet. Not necessarily as mind-blowing as live television, without a script knowing what I am saying is being seen and heard in scores of countries across the world.
Please give whoever follows me on the show your kind support and I send that person my very best wishes for success.
Now to my fans and supporters, I owe a debt of gratitude goes to Stacie Whittaker who runs my fan sites and sifts and forwards messages to me personally to answer. To the number of men and women who have signed up to university and college courses both full and part-time to study history as a result of us working together and the show inspiring them, thank you – it has been a privilege – keep up the studies! To the rest of you who have been so kind to me, please do continue to stay in touch. They are a number of programmes I am in that you have not seen yet and with all the repeats, I will hardly seem missing – only on the live shows.
To my overseas fans I send you my affectionate best wishes. I have a particular group in Australia who keep asking me to visit and I am pleased to announce that I hope to come out for an appearance at some point in 2010.
I will not miss see my self on television as I never watch myself and never have done having appeared in a number of BBC and ITV programmes before I started working on the show. I will continue to act as a historical consultant to BBC radio 4 and Television history programmes.
Do remember I am an English History Reformationist. I study and understand change, which can mean a whole range of new opportunities opening up.
Some people have asked me if I plan to come back as a ghost and appear in programmes then. My answer is I have no desire to hang around in dark and dirty cellars and attics in the hope a group of people will come with a ouja board and a glass tumbler so I can tap and moan and spell a few words out. No thanks, I have a date in heaven with Queen Elizabeth 1st. which is booked to last for 100 years, I have also ordered some designer wings….
Love to all…
Lesley Smith
P.S. I also have a new book out in the early summer next year, which is not about history but a horror novel called “The Weeping”. If you would like a signed advanced copy do please get in contact