The Illusionists

The small-screen goldrush for magicians, tricksters and mentalists continues tonight as ITV host-for-hire Stephen Mulhern introduces six of the world’s top conjurers – ‘the Avengers of Magic’, no less! – to perform their wondrous deeds before assorted minor celebrities at the Hammersmith Apollo.

Some wear top hats and tweed, others favour bondage gear: all aim to drop our jaws and blow our minds. No preview material was available and details were scarce on the exact feats attempted, but expect Christmassy hocus-pocus on a grand scale, some Houdini-esque escapology and a spot of comedy magic which still won’t be a patch on Tommy Cooper’s efforts. A virgin birth, you’ll have noticed, is conspicuous by its absence.