Lincoln

Colin Fry and the Séance Trumpet Incident – Lessons from a Medium’s Journey by Kristian von Sponneck, Psychic Medium & Psychic Entertainer

When we talk about public mediumship in modern times, few names evoke as much recognition — or as much discussion — as Colin Fry.
For decades, Colin stood as one of Britain’s most prominent spiritual figures, filling theatres, appearing on television, and helping countless people find peace after loss.
But among the admiration and applause lies an event that would follow him for the rest of his life — the séance trumpet incident, a moment that changed both his career and the conversation around physical mediumship forever.

This post looks at that story not as gossip, but as a lesson — one that still resonates for anyone who works within the field of psychic mediumship today.

Who Colin Fry Was

Colin Fry was, at his heart, a communicator. Born in Sussex, he reportedly began showing psychic sensitivity from a young age and dedicated his life to demonstrating spiritual survival. By the 1990s, he was touring internationally, recording television programmes such as 6ixth Sense, and performing in packed venues across the UK and Europe.

He was known for his polished presentation and sincere tone — articulate, respectful, and deeply human. People who saw him live often said the experience was gentle rather than theatrical; that he had a way of making even sceptics feel at ease.

But early in his career, during the height of the physical mediumship revival in Britain, something happened that would define a turning point in both his professional life and his reputation.

The Séance Trumpet Incident

The story dates back to the early 1990s, when Colin — still relatively young and performing under the working name “Lincoln” — took part in a physical mediumship séance held in a darkened room.

The event, organised by a Spiritualist circle, was designed to demonstrate traditional forms of physical phenomena such as object movement, spirit voices, and the levitation of the so-called “trumpet” — a conical metal or cardboard device historically used to amplify spirit sounds.

The atmosphere was, as these sittings often were, deeply charged with anticipation. Participants were seated in near-total darkness; the medium was restrained in a chair to ensure authenticity, and observers waited in silence for evidence of spirit movement.

But at one point during the séance, the lights were unexpectedly turned on — and what the group saw reportedly shocked them.
Colin, who was believed to be secured in his chair, was standing in the centre of the room holding the trumpet himself.

In that moment, decades of faith, expectation, and scepticism collided. For believers, it was confusing; for critics, it was confirmation of their doubts; for Colin, it was the moment that would shadow his reputation for years to come.

Understanding the Context

To understand how such an event could happen, it’s important to remember the environment of physical mediumship during that era.

The late 20th century saw renewed interest in traditional séance phenomena — ectoplasm, levitation, trumpet voices — all practised under controlled darkness. The intention was sincere: to recreate the conditions of early Spiritualist circles and validate the continuity of life.

But darkness also presented risk. Even the smallest lapse of protocol could undo credibility. And when that room flooded with light that night, all sense of mystery turned instantly into suspicion.

Accounts vary about exactly what occurred, but what is agreed is that the event was genuine — and devastating. The community reacted with dismay, and Colin withdrew from public physical séances shortly afterward.

Colin’s Response and Evolution

In the years that followed, Colin Fry reinvented himself.
He openly acknowledged the incident in later interviews, referring to it as a profound learning experience. He stated that it happened early in his development and that, from that moment forward, he decided to focus exclusively on mental mediumship — the form of communication that transmits messages clairvoyantly, clairaudiently, or clairsentiently, without the theatrics of physical phenomena.

That decision proved to be one of integrity.
He went on to have a long and respected career, filling theatres, writing books, and becoming one of Britain’s best-known public mediums. For many years, audiences embraced him again — not for spectacle, but for his compassion, sensitivity, and calm authority on stage.

Lessons for Modern Mediums

The séance trumpet incident isn’t simply a footnote in history; it’s a mirror reflecting the challenges of working with unseen forces under public scrutiny.
It reminds every medium — myself included — that the responsibility of this work goes far beyond performance.

Here are the enduring lessons Colin’s story leaves us with:

Transparency Is Essential

Mediumship thrives on trust. Once trust is broken, even unintentionally, it takes time and humility to rebuild it. Colin’s eventual openness about his mistake helped restore his integrity — and showed that honesty can outlast embarrassment.

Authenticity Over Theatrics

Physical phenomena can be powerful, but the true heart of mediumship is emotional evidence — the communication of love, memory, and identity. Colin’s later work demonstrated that connection doesn’t need props or darkness; it needs sincerity.

Development Requires Humility

Every medium, no matter how experienced, goes through learning phases. Colin’s incident happened in his early career, and he owned it. In a field often surrounded by ego and competition, humility remains the strongest safeguard of authenticity.

Public Perception Shapes the Whole Field

Whenever a prominent medium faces controversy, it ripples across the entire spiritual community. The trumpet incident became a talking point not just about one man, but about mediumship as a whole. That’s why integrity must always come before publicity.

A Balanced Legacy

Colin Fry passed away in 2015 after a long illness, leaving behind both admirers and critics — but above all, a legacy that continues to shape the way modern mediums present their work.

He brought mediumship to mainstream television audiences with professionalism and polish, helping to remove the fear and superstition that had long surrounded the subject.
For thousands who sat in his audiences, he represented comfort and credibility.

And yet, the early scandal that haunted him also gave him depth and realism. It showed that even mediums, like everyone else, are human — capable of error, reflection, and growth.

In that sense, Colin Fry’s journey mirrors the very essence of Spiritualism itself: progression, through experience, toward truth.

Reflections as a Working Medium

When I reflect on Colin’s story as an unguided medium — one who works directly with Spirit rather than through an intermediary guide — I see not scandal, but evolution.

Mediumship, like any human art, requires vulnerability. The power of Spirit isn’t shown in trumpets or flickering lights; it’s shown in the quiet accuracy of a message, the emotion on a sitter’s face, and the peace that follows validation.

Colin’s later years embodied that understanding. He moved beyond the need for dramatic proof and focused on empathy, humility, and the sacred responsibility of communication.

That is the Colin Fry I choose to remember — the teacher who learned the hard way that the truest evidence of Spirit is love, not levitation.

Colin Fry and the Séance Trumpet Incident – Final Thoughts

The séance trumpet incident stands as one of the most discussed episodes in modern mediumship, but its ultimate value lies not in controversy — it lies in what it teaches.

For those of us who serve the public as mediums, it is a reminder that our credibility is our craft, and our integrity is our proof.

Colin Fry’s life demonstrates both sides of the path: how quickly trust can be shaken, and how, with courage and honesty, it can also be restored.

He remains, to this day, a pivotal figure — a man who brought Spirit communication to a new generation, learned from adversity, and showed that truth and humility will always shine brighter than any trumpet in the dark.

You may like my last post, click the following to read Who Can Come Through in a Mediumship Reading

Colin Fry and the Séance Trumpet Incident