Lesley Smith

Lesley Smith (M. Univ, M. Phil, FSA (Scot), M.S.M.W) is an English scholar, historian, heritage publicist and actress. She is the curator of Tutbury Castle and is perhaps best known as the resident historian on the television show Most Haunted Live! (2006–10) and presenter of Most Haunted: Midsummer Murders. She has also been featured in a number of other television programmes.

Curator

Smith is the curator and lessee of Tutbury Castle, a position granted by the Duchy of Lancaster, for which she works as Public Relations Officer. Between 2000 (when she took up the position) and 2006, Smith presided over a 12-fold increase in visitor numbers. To reward her achievements, in 2006 the University of Derby awarded Smith an honorary master’s degree. At the conferment of the degree, she was described as "a remarkable social historian of the 16th century who is passionate about and committed to raising public understanding of the subject."

Dramatist

Smith is also well known for her dramatic interpretations of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots, for which she dons authentic replica costumes. She performs regular ghost hunt evenings, in character, at Tutbury. She also takes these reenactments, as well as those of Nell Gwyn and Anne Boleyn, to theatrical and charitable venues.