BOLTON magician Richard de Vere was taking his celebrity dog Schnorbitz to 10 Downing Street today in a protest over a controversial TV programme.

The leading illusionist was complaining to Prime Minister Tony Blair about the show which reveals secrets on how tricks are performed. Mr de Vere reckons the programme is threatening jobs by putting people off watching live magic performances because they now know how the illusions are prepared. In a letter to Mr Blair, the magician stormed: "No mystique, no demand!

"Think also of the enormous amount of people who are directly and indirectly affected by this outrage: the set designers, carpenters, builders of illusions, illusionists and magicians... many of these folk will be heading for the unemployment offices through no fault of their own."

Four episodes of the show - called Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed - have been screened on Sky and ITV and have attracted high viewing figures.

Two more programmes are now in the pipeline, but Mr de Vere, currently performing in Blackpool, wants the Prime Minister to pull the plug on the show.

And the illusionist, travelling to Downing Street with his celebrity St Bernard to ensure maximum publicity, is also threatening to reveal the identity of the masked magician who presents the show.

Britain's Magic Circle has also complained about the programme.

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