Gardener from Manchester who claims he is God has picked up a legion of followers who swear his ‘electric’ sermons have ‘saved’ them – as he says he’s known about his divine powers since childhood

A Manchester man who believes he’s God has spoken out about his growing following and unshakeable conviction that he’s an ‘absolute divinity’ in a new BBC Radio 4 podcast. 

The man, called James, preaches in South Manchester and is the subject of podcast God Next Door, which sees journalist Darryl Morris investigate the landscape gardener’s unshakable belief that he is a living deity on earth. 

The 28-minute podcast, dubbed ‘fascinating’ by listeners, sees Morris follow James as he engages with his followers, telling them: ‘I am the word made flesh, I am back here now to be with you.’ 

God on earth? Manchester landscape gardener James believes he’s ‘absolute divinity’ and has been place as a deity on earth to ‘bring peace’

James with some of his followers who are passionate about his message, which he spreads via fitness classes and games nights, alongside ‘electric’ sermons

A celestial-looking painting of James, left. Right: He tells his growing number of followers: ‘I truly am God, and I’m here to bring peace to this earth with you’.

James, who lives on an ordinary looking street in a southern suburb of the northern city, has believed he’s God since childhood, and says he’s on earth to ‘bring peace’ to the world. 

How does his Godly work manifest? When he’s finished his day job as a gardener, James hosts fitness classes, games nights and preaches in his local community. 

Morris has followed James’ ‘work’ over four years, and speaks with those who share the belief that he is the supreme being living on earth.  

One follower says: ‘I am really, really grateful that he’s here because I know he will change things.’

A man called Jake tells Morris that James’ sermons are ‘electric’ and that every moment he’s listening to them, his soul is ‘set on fire’. He says: ‘So many people are looking for answers…and here he is’.

Journalist Morris, who’s been praised by listeners for the ‘thought provoking’ podcast questions James about his conviction that’s he’s God

During one of the Q&A sessions run by James close to his home in Manchester

Morris is seen arriving at James’ home, who he shares with a woman called Anne, who tells the journalist she doesn’t think it’s strange to be living with God

One woman, Bernadette, admits she was overcome with emotion the first time she met the blonde, blue eyed James, saying: ‘I can remember the second I saw James. Sometimes I think it’s a good job I didn’t see him face on because I might have just passed out’.

She explains how she first became aware of him during a ‘challenging time in my life’ and says as soon as she saw him, she knew he was ‘the reason I was here, that he was God.’ 

Bernadette says James has ‘absolutely 100%’ ‘saved’ her.

At one point during the podcast, Morris asks about James’ appearance; the gardener refutes the idea that he is trying to look like popular images of God

God in skinny jeans and a tight tee: James pictured in casual attire as he’s interviewed by Morris for the podcast

James shares his life with a woman called Anne; who says it’s perfectly normal to her to be living with God. She says: ‘It might be [curious] for other people but it’s not for me. A mission is a mission. Peace on earth.’  

When Morris suggests that some people think James might be ‘blagging it’, he responds, saying: ‘I’m not blagging it’, adding later in the podcast: ‘I truly am God, and I’m here to bring peace to this earth with you’. Do you accept the invitation? Let’s go’. 

At one point during the podcast, Morris asks about James’ appearance; the gardener refutes the idea that he is trying to look like popular images of God, with his long hair.  

Listeners praised the podcast, with one calling it: ‘insightful and thought provoking’.

Another said: ‘Well done for getting there before Louis Theroux’. 

God Next Door is available to listen to now on BBC Sounds