A MAGICIAN given the seal of approval by TV star Derren Brown plays a one-off show in Wallasey tonight.

John Archer, who was hand-picked by Derren for his father's 70th birthday party, visits the Jubilee Centre on Hose Side Road tonight.

He said: "I am looking forward to the show very much – but then I look forward to all my shows! I get very restless if I am off stage for too long. I genuinely love my job.

"I have played the Wirral lots of times in various places from the Floral Pavilion to church halls. It's always fun as Wirral people seem to have a good sense of humour.

“Well,” he adds, “they get me anyway!”

John was also the first act to outsmart legendary illusionists Penn and Teller on their 2011 ITV show Fool Us, jointly presented by the American superstars alongside Jonathan Ross.

The performance led to his first show in Las Vegas - the prize for anybody able to perform an illusion the pair couldn’t explain.

Now he regularly tours the UK as support to comedian Tim Vine, famous for his one-liners and for starring in TV show Not Going Out, after the pair met at Butlin's in the 1990s.

Vine has also paid effusive tribute to Archer, calling him “one of the funniest men I know”.

It's all a far cry from life in the Cleveland police force - Archer's employers until 1997, when he was medically retired after going deaf in one ear.

Despite taking up magic and comedy later in life than many, Archer says his fascination with trickery dates back many years.

He said: "I got into magic when I was studying for a design degree in London in my early 20s.

"I had always had a fascination with magic due to an Uncle who used to do card tricks at the family get together every Christmas.

"When I started at art college (Central School of Art and Design) I soon discovered a nearby magic shop, Alan's Magic Spot, and my fascination became a hobby.

“The shop is no longer there sadly but I still have fond memories of spending my student grant across that counter.”

Archer’s TV career doesn’t end at that solitary appearance alongside Penn and Teller in 2011.

He also starred in CBBC TV series Help! My Supply Teacher Is Magic and its BAFTA-award winning successor, Help! My Supply Teacher Is Still Magic.

Urging readers to go and see tonight's show, Derren Brown said: “John’s reputation in the magic world is among the very best. He’s hysterically funny, and perfectly pitched for the occasion. I'd recommend him unreservedly.”

Tonight's show at Jubilee Church, starts at 7pm.