Darryl Rose
Magician, Mind Reader, Emmy Award-Winning Television Editor & Master of Ceremonies
Darryl Rose is an award-winning British magician, mind reader and master of ceremonies whose career has taken him from London’s most prestigious venues to royal palaces, international television productions and the stage of the London Palladium.
Born and raised in central London, Darryl has spent more than 30 years entertaining royalty, celebrities, corporate clients and private audiences around the world. He is a Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, an Emmy Award-winning television editor and one of Britain’s most experienced close-up magicians.
Where the Magic Began
Darryl’s fascination with magic began at the age of ten, during a school trip to the former Soviet Union.
He noticed that people rarely seemed to smile. But when a group of Russian students visited his hotel and he performed a few magic tricks for them, something remarkable happened. Suddenly, everyone was laughing and smiling.
It was a moment that changed his life.
Darryl realised that magic could cross barriers of language, culture and nationality. If a simple trick could have such an effect in the Soviet Union, imagine what it could do elsewhere?
Inspired by Pat Page’s The Big Book of Magic, he began learning everything he could about the art.
What started as a childhood fascination soon became a lifelong career.
The Magic Circle — Making History
Darryl joined The Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians while still a teenager, quickly becoming involved in the organisation’s activities and leadership.
He became the youngest member ever elected to The Magic Circle’s Council and went on to play a significant role in one of the society’s most important moments.
For decades, women had been excluded from membership. Darryl campaigned strongly for change, and his proposal at the society’s 1991 Annual General Meeting helped pave the way for women to be admitted to The Magic Circle for the first time.
It remains one of the achievements of which he is most proud.
Darryl went on to become a Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, one of the highest distinctions within the society.
He also won The Magic Circle Foundation Challenge Medal three consecutive times, an award voted for by fellow members.
His contribution to the society has continued throughout his career.
For the past 15 years, Darryl has chaired The Magic Circle’s Club Night Committee, organising more than 750 shows, lectures and special events, bringing together some of the world’s finest magicians, lecturers and creators.
His involvement spans performing, competing, organising events and advocating for change within the organisation.
From London’s Finest Hotels to Royal Palaces
Darryl was among the early generation of professional magicians who helped establish regular close-up magic entertainment in London’s leading hotels and restaurants.
Performing alongside legendary names such as Pat Page, Ali Bongo and John Gordon, he entertained guests nightly at prestigious venues including The Dorchester and Grosvenor House.
His reputation soon took him far beyond London.
He has performed at the Royal Palace in Brunei for the Sultan, at Dubai’s Burj Al Arab, and at the Palace of Westminster, entertaining Members of Parliament.
For two years, Darryl worked as Richard Branson’s personal magician, entertaining guests at his London and Oxford parties and performing aboard the inaugural Virgin Atlantic flight from Boston to London.
His audiences have included royalty, world-famous entertainers, business leaders, politicians and sporting personalities.
One particularly memorable engagement was performing for media tycoon Robert Maxwell at what turned out to be his final party.
Fortunately, Darryl was paid — and he didn’t make Maxwell disappear!
Over the years, he has also entertained personalities including Joan Collins, Ant & Dec, Sir Norman Wisdom, Ainsley Harriott, Al Murray, Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Christopher Biggins and Rick Wakeman.
The London Palladium and Stage Performances
Although best known for his intimate close-up magic, Darryl is equally comfortable entertaining large audiences.
In 1991, he performed a summer season in Brighton, further developing his stage experience.
One of the proudest moments of his career came in 1997, when he performed at the legendary London Palladium, one of the world’s most celebrated entertainment venues.
From private performances for a handful of guests to entertaining thousands, Darryl has always believed that the secret to great magic is creating a genuine connection with the audience.
Television — In Front of and Behind the Camera
Alongside his career as a magician, Darryl has enjoyed a successful second career in television production.
He has performed magic on programmes for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, including appearances as a performing magician across two series of the BBC’s Tricks ‘n’ Tracks.
His television work also includes serving as a magical adviser and mentor on BBC One’s entertainment pilot The Dare, helping members of the public prepare for extraordinary performance challenges.
Behind the camera, Darryl has worked on some of television’s best-known magic productions.
His credits include:
- The Best of Magic, working with producer John Fisher at Thames Television
- The Paul Daniels Magic Show
- The Quick Trick Show
- Derren Brown television specials
An Emmy Award at the Athens Olympics
In 2004, Darryl won an Emmy Award for his editing work on NBC’s television coverage of the Athens Olympic Games.
Working in the demanding environment of live Olympic broadcasting, he was involved in pioneering rapid-turnaround editing using an EVS system, enabling footage to be edited and prepared for broadcast almost instantly.
The award recognised his contribution to one of the world’s largest television productions.
His work has also extended to radio.
On BBC Radio 4’s Now Before Your Very Ears, Darryl performed what he describes as the world’s first interactive radio magic trick, incorporating the BBC website into the performance.
His experience both in front of and behind the camera gives him an unusual understanding of timing, presentation, production and audience engagement.
Inventor and Creator of Original Magic
Darryl’s contribution to magic goes beyond performance.
Over the years, he has developed and published several original magical effects and routines, including:
- The Rose Control (1989)
- The Apprentice (2005)
- Inflated Odds (2011)
- Cash or Credit (2012)
His interest in creating original magic reflects a lifelong passion for the art and a determination to surprise even experienced magicians.
Corporate Magic, Product Launches and Extraordinary Events
Darryl has entertained at countless corporate events, exhibitions, awards ceremonies, private parties and product launches across the UK and internationally.
His work has included everything from intimate close-up magic and mind reading to spectacular product reveals.
Over the years, he has made cars, washing machines and even a pub appear, using magic to create unforgettable moments for audiences and brands.
He has performed at international trade shows in locations including Las Vegas and Dubai, helping companies attract attention, engage visitors and make their products memorable.
His experience combines the skills of a professional magician with an understanding of commercial presentation, production and audience psychology.
The Magical Emcee
Drawing on decades of experience in live performance, television and corporate entertainment, Darryl also works as The Magical Emcee.
As a master of ceremonies, he hosts corporate events, awards presentations, weddings and private celebrations, combining professional presenting with humour, audience interaction and unexpected moments of magic.
His approach is about much more than introducing speakers or announcing awards.
It’s about keeping an event running smoothly, making guests feel involved and creating an atmosphere that people remember.
Whether entertaining at a drinks reception, performing around dinner tables or hosting an awards ceremony, Darryl brings together his experience as a magician, television professional and presenter.
Professional Honours and Memberships
- Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star
- Order of Merlin, International Brotherhood of Magicians
- Honorary Member, Chicago Magic Round Table
- Doctorate of Magic, FFFF, New York
- Member of Equity
- Three-time winner, The Magic Circle Foundation Challenge Medal
- Emmy Award, 2004, for television editing on NBC’s Athens Olympics coverage
- Former Magic Circle Council member, first elected as its youngest-ever member
- Chair of The Magic Circle’s Club Night Committee, 15 years and more than 750 shows, lectures and special events
The Magic Continues
More than three decades after beginning his professional career, Darryl remains as passionate about magic as he was when he first picked up Pat Page’s book as a young boy.
Whether entertaining royalty, astonishing guests at an intimate dinner, performing on stage or hosting a prestigious corporate event, his philosophy remains remarkably simple.
Magic should make people smile, bring them together and leave them with a memory they’ll never forget.
It’s a belief that began during a school trip to the Soviet Union — and one that continues to inspire everything he does today.
Based in London, Darryl Rose performs throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.