IT’S time to say goodbye to one of entertainment’s biggest names, the magnificent Paul Daniels — but don’t worry he will be back, for this is one of many of his farewell tours.

Accompanied by his assistant and wife, Debbie McGee, he is heading to Darwen’s Library theatre next week for an evening of comical magic.

“The Rolling Stones have had many farewell tours so I decided it was time for me to do the same,” said Paul who is s a true magical legend.

In this brand new show, Paul will perform a selection of his favourite magic tricks as well as a number of new illusions, never seen in public before.

“I have to say that it’s massive on comedy. It’s similar to what I did at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It’s that sort of show. It’s all new. Luckily we have tried it out on a crowd at a village hall near where we live and the response was fantastic. The audience all cried laughing,” said Paul, who in 1983 was presented with the prestigious ‘Magician of the Year’ Award by the Hollywood Academy of Magical Arts.

The Farewell Tour is a show full of comedy and amazement and Debbie says that traditional methods are often the best.

“This is really exciting. It is all different but there are some traditions that you have to stick to make it work. It will be funny too, because we have always had a lot of laughs and it’s important that we carry that on. We are really happy with our fans. They have always been so loyal,” said Debbie, who also has her own show on BBC Radio Berkshire.

“We are always amazed and surprised and can’t quite believe all the support we get through Twitter. On the 46th night we fly off from the middle of the UK tour to Denmark,” she added.

The duo, who have been together ‘for a very long time’, will embark on the tour together for the last time before going off and learning another magic routine. They have been as far as the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Spain, and Japan and all have recognised Paul as a world-class entertainer, with Debbie being just as important in his success.

Among his achievements, Paul has starred in his own hugely successful West End Theatre Show, headlined in Las Vegas and Broadway, as well as performing more unique magic on TV than any other magician in history “I can honestly say that it’s a fantastic show and it’s going to be great, but without a doubt the tradition is still there. I have been to Darwen before so I know where I am going. It’s just a good night out and the magic is non-stop.” said Paul.

With a hectic schedule, Paul has also recently toured the country offering future magicians some tips with Magic Teaching and Advising Days.

“Even if you only intend to do close-up magic you should still try to learn about all aspects of theatre, including lighting and sound. Join a local acting group and learn learn learn. I do the master classes and it’s all about blending the comedy to make the show work. If you tell jokes that aren’t related to what you are doing then it doesn’t work. But I am never going to give too much away. There’s still time yet. And it’s not farewell, it is basically the title of the show.”

  • Paul Daniels The First Farewell Tour - From Legend to Leg End, Wednesday October 23, Darwen Library Theatre, Tickets £17.50, Box Office: 01254 706 006.