Hartlepool magician Michael has a few tricks up his sleeve

The talented 22-year-old turned his passion for trickery into a new career after losing his job as a waiter at Hartlepool Marina earlier this month.

He began by taking his magic onto the street to dazzle “anyone who would watch” and since the launch of his new Facebook page Deception 52 is finding himself in demand at a host of functions.

He invited the Mail to sample his skills and amazed by finding all four aces in a flash while constantly shuffling and cutting a deck of cards as well as performing other seemingly impossible feats.

Michael, who lives in Dyke House, said: “I’ve been doing magic for almost three years but since I lost my job I practice any time I can.

“In the past I’ve done street magic around the town centre for anyone that will watch.

“Since I launched my new Facebook page I’ve had a lot more booking requests. I would love to be on TV one day, that would be the ultimate dream to be on television or have my own show.

“I’m considering entering Britain’s Got Talent next year.”

Michael, who is engaged to Candice, 22, and has two children Ethan, aged two, and six-month-old Elouise, got hooked on magic after catching UK magician Ben Earl on TV.

“The next day I found an old deck of cards and started practising,” said Michael. “I got the bug and once I started I just couldn’t stop.

“Now I never leave the house without a deck of cards.”

Michael, who studied public services and plumbing at Hartlepool College of Further Education, specialises in sleight of hand card tricks where the magic takes place right in front of the volunteer’s eyes without them being able to spot the secret.

He added: “I like the mystery behind it and seeing the looks on people’s faces.

“Some people scream, some people don’t speak at all.”

He is also writing a beginner’s guide book on magic for all budding illusionists.