A television "seance" to contact the spirit of late Beatle John Lennon has been defended by its producer. The programme, which will air on a US pay-per-view digital channel, has been branded as "tasteless" by critics. Its producer, who made a show in 2003 to forge contact with Diana, Princess of Wales, says The Spirit of John Lennon is a "serious" broadcast. The musician's widow, Yoko Ono, has not given consent for the broadcast and was not available for comment. The programme, which will be shown on the In Demand channel on 24 April, will charge viewers $9.95 to see the show. The Spirit of Diana cost viewers $14.95 to watch and drew an audience of 500,000 people in the US. It was also seen on cable in the UK. Paul Sharratt, who heads the production company behind the show, said: "People say this is disgusting and I accept that criticism, but we're making a serious attempt to do something that many, many millions of people around the world think is possible."

The programme-maker added that he was sceptical about paranormal phenomena even after psychics had attempted to make contact with Diana. "I didn't come out a total believer, but it was good for a lot of people as a tribute to Diana," said Mr Sharratt. He added that Lennon was the obvious choice for the next TV seance, and that Yoko Ono and other people associated with the singer have been invited to take part in the programme.

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I do not think having disturbing the dead is right at all, but legally I have a serious problem with anyone thinking they have the property rights to control, sell, or lease a human soul.

It's pretty lame, but isn't Lenon and every other dead rock star exploited every single day in the "real world" for money? I was reading the other day that Elvis Presely is still the "top earning dead musician."

Of course, their music is their legacy and they would probably be happy that people are continuing to enjoy their art after they are gone. But the seance thing really moves more into the territory of cheap exploitation.

But wait! When celebrities are alive, they thrive on their image, publicity and name recognition. The media and people helped make them rich, and stars. So it it any wonder this phenomenon should follow them to the grave?

And maybe some people really believe in speaking to the dead through mediums.

Still, it has the element of "sleaze" about it.

Just a way to explot the name of one of the greatest poet of the 20th century.

I think it's sleazy the way some people would profit from celebrities after they are dead!

The obvious choice should be Elvis, since it would quell all the rumours about him still being alive.

it is tasteless

what is the benefit from stirring his energies?

he probably wouldn't really want to

i recall reading that most seances don't draw the correct sprit, but actually a majority are demons pretending to be that spirit

real spirits that have transcended wouldn't want to talk to us anyways...i don't know why

i read this in the Pleadian explanation for mediums, psychics and prophets..

how lame. it shouldnt even be news.