Don’t say it’s true. Magician Paul Daniels is about to embark on his First Farewell Tour that arrives at the Bournemouth Pier Theatre next weekend.

But fear not, the veteran entertainer is not about to hang up his magic wand for good.

“It’s billed as the First Farewell tour.

“Much like The Rolling Stones who will be doing yet another farewell tour, so I should do the same. I just keep going, because people keep asking me to perform,” says Paul Daniels.

For those of a certain age, Paul Daniels was a familiar figure on TV. Despite the mischievous name of the tour, the pint-sized magician is still going strong.

Paul will be showcasing his unique combination of comedy and magic.

“I’ve done the Bournemouth season many times, but I’ve never done the Pier Theatre. The show is non-stop magic in the same way that people laughed at Tommy Cooper when he got it wrong, they laugh at me when it goes right. Despite me being a sex symbol,” says Paul.

“But I get paid to play with my toys and the woman next to me keeps wanting more shoes.”

Cue the lovely Debbie McGee, Paul’s stage assistant and wife of 25 years.

“Even I get to do some magic in this show,” says Debbie McGee.

“It’s all new stuff and we’re itching to get going now. Paul will probably be having a cup of tea while I’m performing though. We’re also using a local dancing school from Bournemouth, the Julie Adams dancing school. Some of the children are going to open the show with a dance routine.”

At the age of 75, Paul shows no sign of slowing down. He and Debbie have moved with the times, and have become popular figures on social networking website Twitter.

Paul adds: “I’ve got over 52,000 followers on Twitter, and that’s good in terms of marketing. I love what I do, and it makes me laugh, which is why I go on Twitter because the responses make me and Debbie laugh all the time.”

He presented his own Paul Daniels Magic Show on the BBC from 1979 until 1994, hosted Odd One Out, Every Second Counts and Wipeout and starred in cult kids show Wizbit.

As well as TV and live theatre, Paul also gives motivational talks and has his own online magic shop. With such a busy lifestyle it looks as if Paul Daniels is not ready for the disappearing act just yet.

  • Paul Daniels is at the Pier Theatre on September 22 and the Tivoli Theatre on December 4

About Paul Daniels...

  • Paul’s real name is Newton Edward Daniels.
  • Paul was born in Middlesbrough, evacuated during the Second World War and posted to Hong Kong during his National Service
  • His interest in magic began at the age of 11 when he read a book called How To Entertain At Parties
  • Paul was the first magician from outside the US to receive, in 1983, the prestigious Magician of the Year award from the Hollywood Academy of Magical Arts
  • Paul has three sons – Gary, Paul and Martin – with first wife, Jackie
  • He met second wife Debbie in 1979, when he was 40 and she was 20. They worked together in Bournemouth the following year, and were married in 1988
  • Paul drives a car with the number plate MAG 1C.