talkmagic.co.uk

Hi. I was Zack. I'm now MagicIain.

There, I've said it. With thanks to Mandrake and a rather large pile of used £20s left in the right place, my username has been changed. Magic Iain is my business name, so it made sense to see if I could change it here on TM, too.

Now then, as part of my new website (I'm a working pro now, dontcha know!), I'm trying to keep my blog, 'Backstage', updated on a weekly basis - this week's entry concerns a certain magician called Paul Daniels. I'm hoping you may have heard of him.

Anyway, the post is entitled 'Paul Daniels comes up short' and I thought I could share it with you, as it is of a magical nature. Please feel free to leave any comments in the Backstage area.

I really hope you enjoy it.

No, really.

Great story! And what a cracking name, nice one!

Now, wasn't there a section in the Masterclass DVD called "Forgetting to Carry Change"?

Nice blog

I find it a bit depressing that everyone seems to have a negative slant on Paul Daniels. I met him once after a show, and I rarely remember a more friendly, open or helpful performer. I have met several performers after gigs and most don't give you the time of day. Paul sat down and chatted with me and three firends for two hours.

As for the book, I remember a man calling to my door once looking for a copy of my first book. I found one for him (I didn't take money, though he offered. A personal choice). He didn't know it was my last copy, and the book is out of print. Now I don't have a copy of my first book.

You got an autographed copy of Paul's out of print book, from the man himself. Surely that is worth more than the twenty you paid for it?

Just my thoughts, but I think you are being unnecessarily harsh on him.

I didn't read the blog as a slight on Paul. I read it out to my missus and we both laughed our legs off, she could never stand him until she saw some of the Masterclass and his shrewd eye for profit maximisation, we both find his business acumen endearing. It's notable in Iain's story that Paul was careful to point out how he was maximising the value that he was adding to the book by signing it without a dedication. I'm sure if someone hates Mr Daniels a story like this will feed their dislike; for me, it's a great anecdote and I dont believe Iain harbours any resentment, he thinks it's a good yarn. Did I read it wrong?

this took place just after a show.. More than once, ive packed my house keys with the act. I wouldnt have a clue where i'd put any loose change.
The Ebay lines something he'd say to loads of people as a gag.

Wow! Thanks all for reading and commenting!

Erwin's knocked it on the head - my affection for Paul Daniels is still great - the weeks of build-up to meeting him, involving searching for the book, actually receiving an email from PD himself, watching his lecture, then being invited backstage by him was so great I was awestruck when face-to-face with the great man.

In hindsight, I was only ever going to be disappointed. Having lost my power of proper speech when presented with the opportunity to actually converse with Paul Daniels, I didn't bite on what might have been at least a short chat.

I don't begrudge him at all for charging for the book, but the story of him not being able to find the change is an amusing one and one I've told to anyone that will listen.

I'm certain that there's not too many people that can list Paul Daniels as someone who owes them money - and I'm one!

It's only £3, but it is a good yarn.

Hi Iain. As you tell it here it appears far more of a funny story than a gripe. I must have misinterpreted the blog.
I was lucky enough that I was not star-struck when I met him. However as a junior reporter I got the chance to meet world champion runner Eamon Coughlan. I was completely star struck - couldn't ask him a question. I got him to autograph a t-shirt, which was stolen ten minutes later by a kid at the race. But I don't know would it have fetched anything on e-bay anyway. Cheers. Tony

Paul Daniels will talk cheerily away to the lowliest and most incompetent member of a magic club just as much as he will talk to a celebrity magician. Quite frankly I don't know of a single celebrity of his status that will do that. He has to be admired for it.

I met him once and he was at the height of his fame. To my astonishment he gossiped about the nobodies of magic just as much, if not more so, than he gossiped about the big names.

I think at heart he is still a member of the Middlesborough Society of Magicians. I have never met a major name in magic who is so down to earth.

And don't worry about him not giving you change. It is a story you can tell for ever. I am sure he was embarrassed about it afterwards.

I still remember having lunch with him in a Dublin restaurant. There were a whole bunch of other people there. He picked up the tab in such a manner that he fully assumed that he was the one who was expected to pay for everybody. I hated it. I felt like a hanger-on when he did that.