Daisy May Cooper, known for her remarkable humor and creativity, has recently shared some personal experiences revolving around the supernatural, making headlines for her captivating anecdotes. From ghostly encounters to reflections on death, Cooper's tales weave together the lines between comedy and the uncanny, offering her audience both laughter and intrigue.
Cooper, who shot to fame with the popular mockumentary This Country, has taken her storytelling to new heights with her recent revelations. She recounts how, after enduring some difficult years, she started experiencing ghostly visitations, leading her to explore the unknown with both curiosity and humor. "It’s isolatin, because people think you’re mad. But it exists," she said, openly embracing her unusual experiences.
One of the most poignant moments she shared involved her late friend Michael Sleggs, who played Slugs on This Country. Sleggs, who suffered from health issues for most of his life, allegedly had what Cooper describes as a visitation from an angelic presence before his death. This supernatural occurrence predicted he would die exactly seven days later, leaving Cooper both mystified and contemplative about the nature of life and death. "He'd been in constant pain his entire life – even walking caused him pain," she shared with The Guardian, describing how difficult it was when Sleggs entered palliative care.
According to Cooper, this angelic figure told Sleggs, "You will have a new body at midnight.” What was remarkable is how he passed away at 11:59 PM, just as indicated. This chain of events has left Cooper pondering the reality of such visitations – was it real, or simply the mind’s way of coping with the inevitability of death? "I think it’s amazing," she mused, caught between belief and skepticism.
Reflecting on her own encounters, she shared stories of her hospital stay back in 2018 when she suffered from viral meningitis. While alone and feeling vulnerable, Cooper spoke to what she thought could be the presence of another being. After asking if anyone was there to respond, she heard the gentle voice of a girl saying, "Don’t be afraid." Those words were so impactful for her, she got them tattooed on her wrist—an ever-present reminder of her brush with the unknown.
Cooper's fascination with the spirit world didn't just begin with her personal struggles; it has roots back to her childhood when she was often taken by her mother to visit psychics. These encounters, though initially met with skepticism, fueled her curiosity about what lies beyond our tangible world. She explained her mother’s drive to seek confirmation of life after death, stemming from her own loss of Cooper’s aunt, who died tragically young. "It was her desperation to prove everything wasn’t completely meaningless, her sister was somewhere," Cooper commented.
Her most recent book, Hexy Bitch, collects these surreal experiences, blending humor with her occult adventures. Described as both riotous and serious, it chronicles her attempts to connect with the supernatural, including joining what turned out to be not just any coven, but one akin to a swingers’ club—a humorous subplot reflecting her unique perspective on seeking connections, even if they veer toward the bizarre.
Not only does she recount her misadventures with the supernatural, but she also touches upon her dreams of love beyond the grave. With anecdotes about ghost marriages and spectrophilia, she humorously explores what it would be like to date someone from the afterlife. "People think you’re mad!" she exclaims, fully aware of the hesitation surrounding such topics.
During her storytelling, Cooper revealed her attempt at manifesting her ideal ghostly partner. After considerable contemplation, she humorously settled on the idea of summoning TV presenter Ben Shephard. Though her efforts resulted in more awkwardness than achievement, they reflected her willingness to engage with humor alongside her interest in the paranormal. "Jesus ... not even a ghost wants to fuck me," she adds, blending comedy with the absurdity of the situation.
Cooper is not alone in her fascination with spirits. She has heard tales from fellow celebrities, such as actress Tilda Swinton, who once encountered someone practicing voodoo—showcasing the rich, albeit sometimes eerie, narratives found among her contemporaries. Each encounter solidifies Cooper’s belief in the existence of the supernatural—even if others may roll their eyes.
Cooper's skepticism toward the judgment of others is palpable as she opens up about her experiences. "It’s taboo to say you’ve had an encounter with the world beyond our own," she notes, emphasizing the loneliness she sometimes feels due to her beliefs. Highlighting how personal and impactful these situations have been, Cooper bridges the gap between humor and the gravitas of death—a theme prevalent not only through her experiences but also within her work.
The past few years have taken their toll on Cooper as she faced her own brush with death during the birth of her son. Rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery following complications, the fear of losing her life, and potentially her baby, surrounded her. She describes the surreal experience of realizing the gravity of her situation, stating, "I thought, I’m gonna die to Dancing Queen. This can’t be the end.” The experience, transforming from dread to laughter, underlines Cooper’s resilient nature, reflecting her deep need to find humor even amid adversity.
Through every high and low, Cooper remains committed to her craft, merging her daily challenges with her supernatural encounters. Whether she’s filming her latest series, wrangling her five young children, or penning tales of the paranormal, she continues to explore both laughter and the unknown. "What if people are watching from the other side?" she quips, bringing the narrative back to her early fears about being seen by the deceased.
While embracing the bizarre, Cooper stays grounded, focusing on her family and work. She acknowledges the struggles parents face after traumatic experiences, highlighting how often the focus is primarily on mothers post-birth, leaving fathers to silently sift through their feelings. She takes inspiration from her loved ones’ support during her trials, particularly from her partner, Anthony Huggins, who plays both supportive by her side and as her assistant.
At the heart of Cooper's stories is the reminder to embrace the mystery of life, whether it be through the lens of comedy, the supernatural, or the love of family. Hexy Bitch: Tales from My Life, the Afterlife, and Beyond is not just another book; it's her invitation for others to be curious, to wonder, and to perhaps even explore their own beliefs surrounding the paranormal.
Filled with laughter, poignancy, and genuine reflections, Daisy May Cooper invites readers to contemplate life, loss, and what might lie beyond the veil. It's about time someone gave us tales from the other side with such wit and warmth, bridging the divide between the known and the unknown.
