Clarabelch

(BBC):Organisers of a music festival have had to change their fancy dress circus theme after some ticket holders told them they had a phobia of clowns. The Bestival, which takes place on 8, 9 and 10 September near Newport, Isle of Wight, had asked festival-goers to turn up in curly wigs and large shoes. But organisers decided to shelve the idea after a number of ticket holders said they suffered from Coulrophobia.

Coulrophobia - fear of clowns - can cause panic attacks, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and overall feelings of dread.