Paul Zenon
Encyclopedia
Paul Zenon is an English
magician
and comedian, known for television shows across many genres; in particular his 'Street Magic' specials featuring him performing stunts and tricks in pubs and on the streets.
before travelling the Mediterranean as a street magician. He also worked as a casino croupier, from which he was fired for (allegedly) cheating. It is fair to say that over the years Zenon has led a life of deceit and trickery but he now uses his knowledge to expose hustlers and scam/con artists, particularly those who claim to have 'psychic' and 'paranormal' powers.
shows Tricks 'n' Tracks and Tricky Business
with numerous guest appearances on What's Up Doc?
ITV
. He subsequently created and produced the Children's ITV
game show
Crazy Cottage
. He has since made hundreds of TV appearances as performer and presenter on shows of almost every genre. He has had several successful one-man shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as well as at Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland, and for some time has been one of the UK's most successful corporate performers, appearing at events and hosting awards ceremonies in over thirty countries.
Zenon was the UK pioneer of 'Street Magic', writing and presenting several one-off specials on Channel 4
and ITV
including Paul Zenon Turning Tricks (1999), Paul Zenon's Tricky Christmas, Paul Zenon's Trick or Treat (shot in Prague in 2000) and White Magic with Paul Zenon (shot in Lapland in 2002). His last special 'Paul Zenon's Revenge Squad' on ITV1 was a kickback against the faceless bureaucracy and daily irritations that we all have to suffer in modern-day Britain. He is currently a regular special guest in Countdown
's Dictionary Corner and appears as pundit on various shows with regard to subjects such as the history of magic and variety, cons and scams, and as a skeptic with regard to all matters 'paranormal'.
He has also written three books, all published by Carlton:
Street Magic was re-published in 2008 in a smaller format, with illustrations rather than photographs, and 100 Ways to Win a Tenner was released in the States under the title 100 Ways to Win a Ten-Spot and in Australia as Bar Bets.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
magician
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
and comedian, known for television shows across many genres; in particular his 'Street Magic' specials featuring him performing stunts and tricks in pubs and on the streets.
Early life
Zenon has sometimes been billed as "King Con" and "The Sultan of Swindle". He staged his first scam at the age of eight when he sold fake raffle tickets for a non-existent prize. In his adolescence Zenon worked in a joke and magic shop, The House of Secrets, in BlackpoolBlackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
before travelling the Mediterranean as a street magician. He also worked as a casino croupier, from which he was fired for (allegedly) cheating. It is fair to say that over the years Zenon has led a life of deceit and trickery but he now uses his knowledge to expose hustlers and scam/con artists, particularly those who claim to have 'psychic' and 'paranormal' powers.
Performance career
Early in his career Zenon performed with the rock band Hawkwind and was also lead singer with the Blackpool band Crackousrocknroll. As well as appearing on the comedy club circuit and performing in summer seasons and Forces entertainment, Zenon presented children's television in the early 1990s, hosting the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
shows Tricks 'n' Tracks and Tricky Business
Tricky Business
Tricky Business was a British children's sitcom which ran for three series from 1989 to 1991. It featured Anthony Davis and Sally Ann Marsh and Una Stubbs in the first series, David Wood, Anthony Davis, Patsy Palmer and a puppet rabbit called Crabtree in the second and Bernie Clifton and Leslie...
with numerous guest appearances on What's Up Doc?
What's Up Doc? (TV series)
What's Up Doc? was a Saturday Morning children's variety series produced Scottish Television and aired on ITV from 1992 to 1995 and hosted by Andy Crane, Yvette Fielding and Pat Sharp...
ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. He subsequently created and produced the Children's ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
Crazy Cottage
Crazy Cottage
Crazy Cottage was a children's game show created by Paul Zenon, produced by Action Time for Carlton and broadcast on ITV from 4 April 1996 to 29 May 1998. It was first presented by Rick Adams, followed by Jez Edwards with a puppet cuckoo called Vera...
. He has since made hundreds of TV appearances as performer and presenter on shows of almost every genre. He has had several successful one-man shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as well as at Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland, and for some time has been one of the UK's most successful corporate performers, appearing at events and hosting awards ceremonies in over thirty countries.
Zenon was the UK pioneer of 'Street Magic', writing and presenting several one-off specials on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
and ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
including Paul Zenon Turning Tricks (1999), Paul Zenon's Tricky Christmas, Paul Zenon's Trick or Treat (shot in Prague in 2000) and White Magic with Paul Zenon (shot in Lapland in 2002). His last special 'Paul Zenon's Revenge Squad' on ITV1 was a kickback against the faceless bureaucracy and daily irritations that we all have to suffer in modern-day Britain. He is currently a regular special guest in Countdown
Countdown (game show)
Countdown is a British game show involving word and number puzzles. It is produced by ITV Studios and broadcast on Channel 4. It is presented by Jeff Stelling, assisted by Rachel Riley, with regular lexicographer Susie Dent. It was the first programme to be aired on Channel 4, and over sixty-five...
's Dictionary Corner and appears as pundit on various shows with regard to subjects such as the history of magic and variety, cons and scams, and as a skeptic with regard to all matters 'paranormal'.
Other work
He is the founder of The Wonderbus, a Registered Charity which takes older people on days out to see live entertainment - see www.thewonderbus.org. In the summer of 2008 he toured British theatres with comedians Harry Hill and Lee Mack to raise funds for the organisation. In 2009 he put together and hosted a highly successful benefit show at the London Palladium featuring comedians Dara O'Briain, Sean Lock, Lee Mack and Dave Spikey.He has also written three books, all published by Carlton:
- 100 Ways to Win a Tenner (2003) - a compendium of bar bets and hustles.
- Paul Zenon's Dirty Tricks (2004) - a guide to revenge-style practical jokes.
- Street Magic (2005) - a complete 'how to' course for the budding magician.
Street Magic was re-published in 2008 in a smaller format, with illustrations rather than photographs, and 100 Ways to Win a Tenner was released in the States under the title 100 Ways to Win a Ten-Spot and in Australia as Bar Bets.