HE FIRST made his name as Pennywise. 

Last Halloween, Oli Kennan – a 23-year-old actor from Clydebank, had over 21 million hits on a YouTube video that saw him scaring children dressed as Pennywise from the Stephen King novel and movie IT. 

“Last year was crazy” Oli tells The Evening Times. 

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“We just do it for fun – our family loves Halloween. Last year I really wanted to dress up as Pennywise, and when I was chatting with my mum about it she said that she and my dad could be clowns, and my brother Flynn could be dressed as Georgie. 

“I just got carried away on the night. I love to get involved on the night, go out and entertain. 

“We didn’t even film the video, someone else did. When I saw how many views it got, and at the end of the week the final tally, I couldn’t believe it.”

This Halloween, Oli’s house of horrors is back with another Stephen King themed guise – The Shining. 

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“Ever since last year went so well, we were thinking what we could do to stop it. I love The Shining so much, and we love doing a house with a full theme at Halloween, so we thought what’s not to love?” 

And those who travel to Clydebank’s Overlook Hotel are in for a scary treat. 

“Everything is going to be covered in fake snow. We wanted it to look quite chilly so there will be fake fog as well, I’ll be dressed as Jack Nicolson’s character, and my brother will be Danny Torrance in a really bad bowl cut wig. 

“It should be fun – they can expect to feel like they’re in the end of that film.” 

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Going for the Stephen King theme is indeed in vogue just now, as the sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep, comes out tonight and stars Ewan McGregor. For self-confessed Halloween King Oli, the experience is the most important part. 

“My favourite part will be seeing other people’s reactions. 

“Obviously there is the selfish part of dressing up, because I love doing it, but seeing people’s reactions are the best bits.

“When I was growing up, we didn’t have the full on Halloween experience. You would go out and trick or treat but there was never the wholly immersive experience of Halloween. 

“Its nice for me that kids in this area have someone they can come. We don’t ask for anything or any return – in fact, we’re giving away sweets and things.” 

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Although he aims to terrify anyone who knocks on the door, Oli believes that Halloween is about making memories with the community. 

“I hope that in a few years time, those kids will look back and think, do you remember that guy? That terrifying house? I like to think it’s something that they’ll remember. 

And even though this year isn’t over yet, Oli says that the family are already thinking themes for next year. 

“Halloween never ends in this house” he laughs. “It’ll be Tim Burton next”.