Top 10 Television Shows Most Likely To Give You Nightmares

A study has found that 61% of Brits have struggled to sleep after watching something scary before heading to bed and 'Crimewatch' is the TV show most likely to give you nightmares.

It also emerged some have been left so scared by a show before bed, they have resorted to sleeping with the light on.

Sally Hotchin, Brand Manager from Slumberdown, "I've always found real-life shows like 'Crimewatch' have even more of an effect on my sleep as you know the things which are shown in this programme have actually happened – they aren't just events a group of scriptwriters have suggested to make a top drama."

"If you are prone to nightmares after watching a scary show before bed, I'd suggest recording it to watch during the daytime, to avoid the creepy fear of the midnight run to the toilet."

Almost half of those polled admitted they had changed the channel while watching a chilling film or TV show because they were worried they were going to end up having nightmares when they eventually went to bed.

40% have even resorted to watching a kids' TV show or something light-hearted to calm them down before finally switching off for the night.

'The Fall', which stars Fifty Shades of Grey's Jamie Dornan.

A team of forensic pathologists uncovers the truths behind murders, chilling stuff.

Even the doom and gloom of the daily news updates saw it voted into eighth place.

The 90s supernatural favourite, the 'The X Files' seems to still be giving viewers restless nights.

A documentary-style television series that investigates the tragic, controversial and sudden deaths of celebrities.

The US paranormal inVestigation show, 'Ghost Hunters' just made it in to the top five.

The critically acclaimed US drama, 'American Horror Story' took the fourth places in the list.

'The Walking Dead' was named third in the list of programmes which can give grown adults nightmares.

'Most Haunted', the long-running ghost hunting show hosted by Yvette Fielding came second in the poll.

The study of 2,000 Brits saw 'Crimewatch', the BBC crime reconstruction show, which ironically has the catch phrase "don't have nightmares," top the poll making it the television show most likely to give you bad dreams.