Magical Bones

London-born TV magician Richard Essien, 39, is best known as a 2020 finalist on Britain’s Got Talent

What was your first TV memory?

Paul Daniels on The Paul Daniels Magic Show. He made a real impression on me. Even the simple tricks like making a pound coin disappear amazed me.

Who was your first TV crush?

Pamela Anderson on Baywatch in that red swimsuit. That was an unforgettable image!

What was your first TV appearance? That was on This Morning with Holly and Phil to promote the live illusion stage show, Impossible, in 2016. More recently I did street magic on Penn & Teller: Fool Us on US TV. I didn’t fool them, though.

What is your favourite current show? I’m enjoying The Voice USA, which is better than our one. The standard of singing is higher. The same goes for America’s Got Talent.

Which TV show would you take to a desert island?

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-air. It’s superfunny and Will Smith is very relatable. It’s a great, family-friendly show.

What TV show would you like to put out of its misery?

Golf! All of it! It might be fun to play but it’s boring to watch.

Guiltiest TV pleasure?

Question Time. I watch it a lot. It’s just interesting to find out what’s going on and to see politicians challenged.

What are you up to at the moment?

I’m taking my Black Magic Tour around the UK. It’s a family-friendly breakdance illusion show with educational elements about historical magicians like Henry Box Brown, an American slave who used magic to escape and hid in a box to get to England.

● Tickets: magicalbones.com