A Shepton Mallet magician won the heart of a select television audience when he took part in one of the latest reality television shows to hit the screens.

Ian Peacock, aged 47, who lives, at Cats’ Ash, was one of six magicians selected from more than 2,000 entries who took part in Magicians In Love. The show was a feature slot on the BBC3 show, Live at Johnny’s, hosted by Comedian Johnny Vaughan.

Mr. Peacock, who has lived in Shepton Mallet for 15 years, originally comes from Dunfernline, Fife.

Mr Peacock and. the other magicians were put in a luxury apartment in London and given a number of tasks over about be two months, to win the heart of Charlotte, a woman looking for some magic in her life.

He became the rebel of the show when he agreed to take a bath in front of the camera, causing him to clash with some of the more conservative contestants.

Despite having never driven a car in his life, he came first in a go-kart race set up for the magicians and, won an opportunity to take Charlotte out for dinner.

He was then one of the final three chosen to be kept in the house by Charlotte and finally won the competition when his fate was handed over to the audience.

He took a recent trip to Hammersmith Studios in London to film the final voting episode and secured 80 per cent of the public votes, winning a trip to Las Vegas with Charlotte along with £800 spending money.

He said, “1 do not know when I will be going yet, but there will be a camera crew coming, with us.

“Apparently there is only one room booked with one double bed!”

"Ian, in his role as magician, entertained the children and adults at a recent fun day.

His expertise is considerable; his audience range from toddlers up to senior citizens and all were fascinated and bewildered.

Given that Ian was working amongst them, and not from a stage, this was very impressive. I would therefore have no hesitation in recommending Ian as an excellent entertainer."

From Rev'd Brian Atkinson
Parish of Holy Trinity
Trowbridge

Dear Magic Ian

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your entertainment that you provided for Simon's stag night in Bristol last Saturday.

I am confident that all the guys were very impressed with your skills that night, expecially the card popping out of the pack of cards in the Chinese restaurant.

I must say I was very impressed with the two young ladies that displayed your tricks to in the bar - I hope that you gave the young lady back her bra!

So finally, I would to thank you for your excellent hard work. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to someone who may require a magic show, so good luck with your next television rehearsals - and watch out for Paul Daniels!

Many thanks

Phil Russell

Fonexchange
Trowbridge