HE stared down the barrel of a loaded gun just to get your attention. Now illusionist Derren Brown wants to take you further into his crazy world - live on stage.
His Russian Roulette stunt (in which he had to guess which of a revolver's chambers was loaded, then try not to shoot himself in the head), was one of the most talked-about shows of 2003. Was it a trick, should he have done it, and what if he'd killed himself on live television?
Now the Croydon-born psychic is setting out to prove his talent is genuine in a show which allows audiences to watch him at close range.
Derren, 33, says he first developed his mind reading skills as a boy playing with magic tricks.
'I was a good liar and a revoltingly charming child,' he says. 'I found myself developing an analytical mindset, able to spot the loopholes in anyone's argument very quickly.'
At first he planned to channel these qualities into a career in law. But he soon realised his skills ran deeper - he was actually able to predict, suggest and even control human behaviour.
He threw himself into developing his psychological magic skills, paying the bills as he went by combining performing in cafes and bars with a sideline in portraiture.
In 1999, his big break came along when Channel 4 asked him to put a TV show together.
The result, Derren Brown: Mind Control, was shown in December 2000, proving an immediate success. Two more series followed as his popularity grew with viewers and critics alike, and there was even a whole night of programming dedicated to the mysterious man in November 2002.
Last year, more than 3.3m people watched his Russian Roulette stunt, and his first video/DVD, Derren Brown: Inside Your Mind flew out of the shops after release.
So, whether you're a believer or a hardened cynic, why not see what Derren can pull out of the hat when he calls at the Manchester Palace Theatre on Sunday, May 9.
