Coulrophobia: The fear of clowns. With their horribly distorted facial features, wacky costumes and unhealthy reliance on slapstick, it’s no wonder that these allegedly amusing creations strike fear into the heart of many children and adults alike. Pop culture has long played on their creepy connotations, from The Joker’s first appearance in the Batman comics of the early 1940s to the army of clowns in Yellow Submarine, while real life serial killer John Wayne Gacy was dubbed ‘Killer Clown’ for his habit of performing at children’s parties. Matt McAllister looks at some of the most terrifying clowning to have graced our screens.

It (1990)
“Aw, whassa matter Georgie? Doncha want a balloon?” Tim Curry inspired night terrors for an entire generation with his portrayal of Pennywise - an alien-dressed-as-a-clown who torments a group of pals. Less scary when he turns into a rubbish stop motion spider.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
These clowns are so evil they spell clown with a ‘k’. One of those great low-budget 80s horror-comedies with colourful poster art and a real sense of fun.

Supernatural: Everybody Loves a Clown (2006)
Sam and Dean investigate a series of murders linked to a clown. Or a shapeshifting, flesh-eating Hindu demon disguised as a clown to be precise.

Masters of Horror: We All Scream for Ice Cream (2007)
A dead clown kills people by turning them into ice cream. Not based on a true story.

Ashes to Ashes (2008)
As if being transported back to 1981 wasn’t scary enough, detective Alex Drake finds herself haunted by the clown from David Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes video. Though he’s not half as scary as the sight of Bowie and Mick Jagger prancing around in the Dancing in the Street promo.

Doctor Who: The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (1988)
Poor old Ace is afraid of clowns. So where does the Doctor decide to take her? To the Psychic Circus, that’s where – which is, of course, FULL OF EVIL CLOWNS! Other notable Doctor Who episodes to feature clowns include Terror of the Autons, The Celestial Toymaker and The Deadly Assassin.

The Clown at Midnight (1998)
A homicidal clown stalks students. At midnight. It’s not exactly original, but it does feature some good clown-based murders plus cameos from Christopher Plummer and Margot Kidder.

Clownhouse (1989)
Although Clownhouse features some reasonably effective killer clown action, what happened away from camera was far more shocking – director Victor Salva was convicted of molesting 12-year-old actor Nathan Forrest Winters on set. Salva later went on to make the non clown-based horror Jeepers Creepers.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)/ The Devil’s Rejects (2005)
Actually, Sid Haig’s clown-clad Captain Spalding is the most personable of the psychotic Firefly family, but he’s still a depraved killer with exceptionally bad teeth.

The Simpsons: Clown Without Pity, Treehouse of Horror III (1992)
Homer buys Bart a talking Krusty doll from the House of Evil. Evilness ensues. Turns out someone has switched the toy to ‘Evil’ mode. Non-coulrophobic Simpsons fans should also check out the episode Lisa’s First Word, in which Homer builds young Bart a horrifying clown-themed bed, prompting Bart’s immortal line: “Can’t sleep…clown will eat me.”