The nationwide study released today by UKTV's leading crime drama channel Alibi, found that 19 percent of British adults are CONVINCED someone they know has put a curse on them, causing them great misfortune and grief, with a further 24 percent suspecting that this "might" have happened.
More than one in ten (11 percent) of those who believe they have been cursed, blame a jealous work colleague, while 26 percent blame a friend.
27 percent felt a bitter ex-partner is making their life a misery, while 13 percent suspect the curse was put on them by their mother-in-law.
Perhaps more worryingly, one in 20 (5 percent) suspect the perpetrator to be their own mum.
According to the study, a quarter (25 percent) of the nation believe it's possible for someone to be possessed by an evil spirit, with a further 40 percent conceding it might be feasible.
In fact, 12 percent of Brits reckon they've worked with someone who was possessed by dark forces, while 14 percent are convinced an ex was controlled by an evil spirit.
An extremely unlucky one in 20 (6 percent) genuinely believe their partner could be possessed by a demon.
The data also found that 27 percent of us say we know someone with a dark side and that we only truly trust five people in our lives, while three in five (60 percent) of us say we know people who wish us misfortune.
Emma Ayech, channel director for Alibi, said:
Our research reveals that almost a fifth of Brits believe they have been cursed, with many blaming a colleague and even a mother-in-law, so it's clear to see that we're fascinated by the unknown elements of the paranormal world and that strange goings-on are completely feasible. The good news is that we can all experience a little escapism, and possibly a few nightmares, via the stories covered in Evil, helping us learn more about the origins of evil along the dividing line between science and religion."
The study has been commissioned by Alibi for the launch of its new psychological series Evil, which starts Monday 21st September at 9pm. The scripted drama focuses on a skeptical female psychologist who joins a priest-in-training and a contractor as they investigate the Church's backlog of unexplained mysteries, including supposed miracles, demonic possessions and hauntings. Their job is to assess if there is a logical explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work.
The study also delved into the wider paranormal beliefs of the nation, revealing that 35 percent of Brits say they definitely think supernatural phenomena are real, while a further 45 percent claim they sometimes think so.
A staggering 62 percent believe in ghosts, 38 percent in evil spirits, 23 percent in demons - and four in 10 (40 percent) of us think that aliens probably do exist.
In fact, the data found that 16 percent of British adults believe they've met someone who was likely an alien.
Almost a quarter (24 percent) believe in witches, a fifth (20 percent) think that spells work, while 25 percent claim that telepathy is possible.
And a quarter (25 percent) say that miracles can and do happen. Of those, 15 percent claim to have experienced a miracle themselves, while 16 percent know someone who has had a miracle change their life.
Evil airs Monday's at 9pm on Alibi, from 21st September
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About Alibi
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Alibi is the only TV channel dedicated to crime drama, investigating the best selection from the genre and premiering hit series from around the world such as Harrow, Waco and I Am The Night. Alibi stepped into UKTV Original crime drama series with guaranteed thrills, twists and turns including last year's hit Traces, starring Molly Windsor and Martin Compston and We Hunt Together, starring Eve Myles and Babou Ceesay.
Now in its 13th series, Murdoch Mysteries has found a safe space on the channel while some of British TV's best-known detectives, including Miss Marple, enjoy a trip down memory lane. Hit British crime dramas including Death in Paradise, Father Brown and Silent Witness give the viewers another chance to catch their favourite shows.