Beloved magician Paul Daniels has passed away at the age of 77, and the outpouring of tributes on social media is testament to his status as an entertainment legend. We all know him from the eponymous The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran from 1979 to 1994, but the tributes being paid to him remind us that his career was far more varied. Here are five brilliant moments you may not know about.
1. Appearing in Swim Deep’s ‘Namaste’ video as an 80s game show host
The Birmingham band’s 2015 video also starred Spector’s Fred MacPherson and singer Austin Williams’ mum Julie, but it was Daniels who really brought the magic in his parody of game show hosts of yore. Swim Deep paid tribute to him this morning.
See the video below:
2. Technically Ron’s Fringe story
Twitter don @TechnicallyRon posted the below story following Daniels’ passing, and it’s both insightful and hilarious:
I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Daniels a couple of times. Here is my weird little story. RIP you magnificent man pic.twitter.com/Xcxs9S4ZFB
— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) March 17, 2016
3. Dressing up as Ali G
Daniels geared up as Sacha Baron Cohen’s character and in our books, beat him at his own game in this surprisingly filthy exchange.
4. Locking Louis Theroux in a cupboard and finding it hilarious
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RIP Paul Daniels, a thoughtful skeptic, enemy of hucksterism and paranormal flimflam, and gifted magician. My condolences to his family.
— Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) March 17, 2016
5. Teaching Vanessa Feltz the value of silence on Wife Swap
She didn’t seem to get it, but still.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f2-FbtCzf8
See more tributes to Daniels from magicians, actors and musicians below:
Read that we've lost Paul Daniels. A legend who revolutionised magic & inspired a generation of entertainers. Huge love to Debbie & family.
— Derren Brown (@DerrenBrown) March 17, 2016
Devastated to hear that Paul Daniels has passed. A giant of the entertainment world who will be sadly missed. RIP pic.twitter.com/eS3B3iEFJd
— Dynamo (@Dynamomagician) March 17, 2016
Sad about Paul Daniels. R.I.P
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) March 17, 2016
RIP Paul Daniels. Had the pleasure of working with him and his lovely wife Debbie on a Comic Relief sketch…thoughts are with his family. X
— Keeley Hawes (@Misskeeleyhawes) March 17, 2016
Sad to hear of the death of Paul Daniels RIP Paul our thoughts are with the family
— Paul Chuckle (@PaulChuckle2) March 17, 2016
RIP Paul Daniels. His magic shows were a huge joyous part of childhood.
— Reece Shearsmith (@ReeceShearsmith) March 17, 2016