A CHORLEY magician has appeared on television to showcase his skills.

Sam Hurst, 24, better known as Magic Sam, took centre stage on Friday on the BBC’s Magic Party, which is billed as a showcase for the UK's hottest up-and-coming tricksters and illusionists.

In the six-part series, a different magician each week uses close-up magic to wow a celebration party with their mind-boggling sleight of hand tricks.

In Sam’s case, he was asked to entertain at a 21st birthday party, performing tricks at close quarters to the assembled guests.

He said: “It was a strange experience to be allowed into the middle of a stranger’s birthday party but they were a great bunch and I soon relaxed and got into my stride "It seemed to go really well and I got some very good reactions.

"I also enjoyed visiting Northern Ireland, where the show was filmed.”

Producer Sarah Reddin, from Waddell Media who made the series for BBC Northern Ireland, said: “Sam is young, cool and talented and we got to see him perform the kind of close-up magic that was both mind-blowing and fascinating to watch.”

Sam, who also dubs himself ‘The People’s Magician’, began his career entertaining audiences on the streets and in the pubs of Chorley.

He can be found doing informal magic sets at the Swan With Two Necks in Hollinshead Street on Monday evenings and has also taken up a stall on Chorley market to sell tricks and perform.