Rodd's magic showset to hit Sky screens

‘The Irish Magician’ follows Rodd - as he wows audiences across the British Isles with his inimitable brand of close-up magic and illusions.

“I’m hoping people will be amazed and entertained by the shows,” said Rodd (36), in an interview with the Times this week.

“The series has been filmed on location in Liverpool, Co Kerry, Dublin and Northern Ireland with also Manchester and London to come.

“Viewers will see local people and celebrities reacting and responding to magic and the fun it brings. No matter where you’re from magic is a universal language, it appeals to everyone.”

The six-part series, filmed and produced by Donegal-based Jacksonsmediatv, will go out on the Irish TV channel on Sky 191 from the first week in May.

Rodd explained: “The locations in the show are very different. Kerry was amazing and beautiful, we filmed in the old Dick Mack’s pub in Dingle, it was like going into a time warp, but breathtaking nonetheless.

“In Liverpool we visited the famous Cavern Club which was incredible and through Ryan Fillis, a chef from Coleraine, I was invited by Emma Parry, the grand-daughter of the legendary Bill Shankly, to stay at the Shankly Hotel in Liverpool.”

Rodd is set to perform some magic for former Manchester United star, Paddy Crerand, at Old Trafford, during filming in Manchester next week, as well as for the ex-Coronation Street actor, Charlie Lawson.

Filming for the final show will be in London at the end of the month, where he will meet, among others, Arsenal Ladies at the Emirates Stadium.

The series explores a number of different themes of Rodd’s craft - close up magic, hypnosis and the power of suggestion, sleight of hand, and pickpocketing. A full time professional magician now for three years, Rodd has been invited to perform at a corporate party in Monaco in August.

Rodd became a member of of The Magic Circle in May two years ago, joining the likes of Prince Charles, Dynamo and Nigel Mansell among its hallowed ranks. He also became a Youtube sensation with a Harry Houdini-inspired underwater escape from handcuffs in Portrush. He adds: “I’m very lucky because magic has taken me to some incredible places and opened up so many opportunities for me that I could never have imagined when I first started. I really hope viewers will tune in and enjoy the show.”