London Insider
Mike Hayford
Originally from Kent, he moved to London in his early twenties and developed a fascination with the city's darker past, particularly the stories and mysteries surrounding Jack the Ripper.
Mike's Story
Mike came to London to chase the stage.
After majoring in theatre, he moved to the city with one goal in mind: to become an actor. London, with one of the longest and most influential theatre traditions in the world, was the natural place to do it. What keeps him here is the ever-changing creative scene, from West End productions to experimental performances in the city's smaller venues.
Alongside acting, Mike found himself drawn deeper into London's history, particularly its darker chapters. His childhood fascination with true crime never really left him, and the stories of Victorian London, crime, and mystery soon became his speciality.
Today, Mike balances life on stage with life on the streets, guiding visitors through London's past and bringing its most gripping stories to life.