LEGENDARY magician Paul Daniels heads to the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight later this year as part of his new tour.

The man dubbed The Godfather of Magic by fellow illusionist Dynamo will be joined by wife Debbie McGee for their Intimate magic show at the Greendale Road venue on September 5.

The duo promise a night of bafflement and laughter.

Paul told the Globe today: "About 10 years ago we did an 'intimate' show. It was so successful and, most importantly, so much fun that we've decided to do it again.

"We're taking it around smaller theatres so the people can get involved. It's a chance for us to do request magic, something the audience loves."

The 77-year-old joked: "The tour was nearly called Debbie McGee shoe show."

The entertainer - born Newton Edward Daniels - developed an interest in magic at a very early age.

When he returned to civilian life after National Service, Paul began to hone his magic skills by performing at various clubs and developing his stage charisma and persona.

His big break came in 1969, when he was offered a summer season in Newquay. It led to performances at various talent shows and earned him several slots on television shows.

The first show Paul did for the BBC was titled as My First Trick, which made him a household name. The Paul Daniels Magic Show followed.

Looking back on his career, the Middlesborough-born star said: "I've been doing magic for 66 years, it's all I ever really wanted to do. Once I found it I just enjoyed it. It was my blood instinct.

"I think about magic, more or less, eight hours a day; reading about it, coming up with new ideas for tricks and trying them out - in fact, I've got a new rope trick for this tour.

"It's great that I have been able to combine my work with my hobby.

"Magic is such a wide-ranging hobby."

His live shows have been winning awards worldwide. This new tour is their first public appearance in the UK since their successful USA shows.

He said: "I am a member of the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques and we're due to meet in Italy in the next few weeks.

"The great thing is that magicians are really all friends. So, the meeting is just a big excuse to sit around with the likes of Dynamo and David Blaine and talk. The great American magician David Copperfield pops in sometimes, too."

Paul was the first non-American to be awarded the title Magician of the Year in 1983 when he was given the award by the Hollywood Academy of Magic Arts. He won several other awards including the title of World’s Greatest Magician.

Debbie, who married Paul in 1988, said: "The fact that Paul has achieved so much and has all of these awards is lovely, but he just loves magic and likes making people happy, so is always entertaining."

Looking to the future, Paul joked: "I'm just waiting for a call from a film company; it's not easy being an international sex symbol, you know!"

Tickets for their show at the Gladstone Theatre are from www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk or the box office on 0151 643 8757.

For updates on Paul visit www.pauldaniels.co.uk, www.twitter.com/thepauldaniels or www.facebook.com/thepauldaniels