Star Facts
- Derren was an evangelical Christian in his teens but is now an atheist
- He studied Law and German at university
- Derren is 5’ 9” tall
- Alongside his work as an illusionist, Derren is also a skilled painter
Derren Victor Brown Quotes
I am often dishonest in my techniques, but always honest about my dishonesty
Biography:
Master mindbender Derren became fascinated with the world of magic and illusion at an early age. While studying Law and German at the University of Bristol, he began working as a traditional conjurer, performing close-up magic in pubs. By 1992, his work manipulating the mind had begun and he staged his first hypnosis shows at university.
Asked to put together a mind-reading show for Channel 4 in 1999, it was originally going to be hosted by his magician pal Andy Nyman, who turned it down. Derren hosted the show, and a new TV superstar was born. A master of the power of suggestion, Derren’s unique brand of illusion bewitched us all, and he’s since gone on to present five series and eight specials, each more ambitious than the last.
Through shows like The Heist, Messiah, Seance and The Gathering, amongst other things Derren’s convinced a group of people to rob a security van at gunpoint without directly telling them to do so, and convinced people that he can not only contact their dead relatives, but that he can also read their thoughts and dreams.
Along the way he’s debunked myths, charlatans and so-called psychics, transforming the way we look at magic and confronting us with the uncomfortable idea that we’re all far more suggestible than we like to believe.
Alongside his TV work, Derren’s also published four magic books and one of his wonderfully bizarre caricatures and paintings. He currently lives with his boyfriend Mark, a graphic designer.