'That side of it comes from the magic background where you have to distract someone's attention and have them focusing on something other than what is relevant.
'But at the same time, it's not just about that.
'There are some real psychological techniques involved. So, yes, I can read people to an extent, even unconsciously in a social setting, without meaning to do it.
'And, yes, I can be more persuasive than the next person, if I want to get a person to think a certain way.'
Derren is proud of his tour, which started this month, but he is keen to point out some people may have seen it before.
'It's really important to stress that it's the same tour as last year. I don't want people thinking they're coming to see something new only to go home disappointed.
'So really it's a chance for people who couldn't get tickets last time to come along. Though, having said that, it should be quite interesting for people coming along a second time if they want to get a sense of how it all works, how it's done, which you'd find difficult to figure out the first time.
'The first half of the show is good fun, all pretty light-hearted, with lots of audience participation. The second half is a bit darker, though I tend to keep it a secret as to what goes on until people are there.'
Not content with his Russian Roulette special and his tour, there is also a new series of Derren Brown's Mind Control coming out on Channel 4 later this year.
The show is for over-12s only. Tickets from the box office on 01782 213 800 or Ticketmaster on 0870 90 80 888 24hr (booking fee).
