
Fringe young magician shares inspirational story of how magic saved his life, in new book
It marks a return to The Fringe for Angus who was last year awarded The Derek Award for standout acts at the festival.
Bullied, excluded, expelled from three schools, Angus grew up feeling like he didn't belong. Diagnosed with Asperger's and ADHD at 15, he finally had a name for the chaos he had always felt.
Now aged 29, he is enjoying huge national success with a magic career that includes a return to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, on the back of a sell-out summer one-man show, Hidden Powers, and series of big ticket event performances.
Despite a packed schedule, Angus, from Warwickshire, is still finding time to stay true to his pledge to 'pay it forward' by helping others overcome the challenges of neurodiversity through workshops, holiday camps, mentoring and public speaking.
He recalls: 'School was a major challenge for me. Teachers didn't understand me because I was behaving very differently to the other students, and I was always known by everyone as the 'naughty one.' I spent so much time in the naughty corner, at one school the teacher even named it after me!
'Lack of understanding of Asperger's Syndrome, when everyone thinks you're being odd or naughty when in actual fact it's something you can't help, can be a first-class ticket to serious mental health problems and it's why I urge people to fight to get their diagnosis as soon as possible.'
'It wasn't until I found magic that I was able to make friends for the very first time. My social skills improved a lot.'
As a Christmas gift in 2014 Angus' parents Neil and Kate enrolled him on a magic course at the famous Davenport's in London, bolstered by which he went on to compete in – and win - his sixth form talent contest. He earned money through his talent for the first time, performing tricks for tips in his local pub.
At 19, Angus joined Leamington and Warwick Magic Society and, in 2020 he was accepted as a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. Today, he is in high demand among the magic and public speaking circuits, performing to a who's who list of rich and famous at prestigious venues across the country, including Windsor Castle, The Grosvenor Hotel Park Lane and Greenwich Theatre in London.
He's now looking forward to mesmerising Edinburgh audiences once again throughout August with his all-new show on the famous Royal Mile.
He said: 'Edinburgh Fringe has been a massive highlight of my career that created a lot of opportunities for me. It is known to be the third biggest ticketed event in the world behind The Olympics and The World Cup so I feel extremely privileged.'
Angus is also a regular keynote speaker at autism conferences, conventions and workshops around the country, and a proud neurodiversity ambassador for numerous charities and bodies.
'I think if I had been diagnosed earlier things would have been different,' he said. 'I just felt like I was a bad person and the whole world was against me. I just didn't want to be here,' he said.
His mental health battles suffered another setback in 2022 when, while waiting for a train at Warwick Parkway Station, he was witness to a suicide. This traumatic incident eventually led him to train in mental health first aid and suicide and self-harm awareness and prevention and, for the past two years, Angus has found solace in his volunteer work on Stamp Out Suicide's charity helpline.
'I've learned so much about mental health and other people and about autism and how you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. There's always hope.'
After 13 years in the making, Angus now hopes his book will help others not only come to terms with, but embrace their diagnosis.
He said: 'I have written this book to show people what it's like to grow up with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I want to share what helped me and what didn't. I also want people to understand how being different isn't bad – it's powerful. I believe the people with autism have amazing gifts to offer the world.
'I've always been different. Not naughty. Not worse, not broken. Just different. Some people see autism as a disability, others see it as a gift. There are challenges – lots of them – but there are also strengths.
'This book is my way of giving back. I want to help people find out what autism looks like from the inside. I want to help parents, teachers and kids find hope and practical ideas. I want neurodivergent people of all ages to know they're not alone.
He added: 'This book is such a proud moment for me. There were countless times when I thought about giving up and considered just deleting the whole thing! But it's always been my dream to share my story with the world and the feedback so far has been positive.
'Life on the spectrum can be tough but with support, self-awareness and the right environment, it can also be joyful, meaningful and full of magic. If even one person reads it and feels seen, understood or inspired, then it's all been worth it.'
'Naughty Or Neurodiverse: An Aspie's Road To Magic' is available as a Kindle edition for £6.99 or in paperback for £17.99 from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Naughty-Neurodiverse-Aspies-Road-Magic/dp/1068257709/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3FZYB2VJNBBF7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wNopFuZ5aHoZZpyM6wMZ7g.0qngEdIIGc2nl5-tw_gSj203uhjsEyUHcIWUQmB6k5s&dib_tag=se&keywords=Naughty+or+Neurodiverse+Angus+Baskerville&qid=1753285585&sprefix=naughty+or+neurodiverse+angus+baskerville%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-1
2 . Contributed
Angus has just published the book of his life. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales
Related topics: ADHDTeachers
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
No wonder celebs and chefs rave about this Edinburgh restaurant
He's going to grow up with some very high standards indeed. Pictured: The Palmerston is located in a former bank building in Edinburgh's West End (Image: Newsquest) Though it's my first time dining in this former bank building on Palmerston Place, I feel as though I've been here before. That's perhaps because of how often their day-to-night baking and cooking have come up in conversation over the past year. Dean Banks is a big fan of their pies, for example, and Richard E Grant is said to have awarded co-founder and chef Lloyd Morse a congratulatory high five upon sampling his fish stew. Even with zero star power between us, Gaz and I have snagged a table for two at the day's final sitting, just hours before the first pop-up kitchen takeover kicks off a new guest-chef series for Fringe season. Ah, The Fringe. While there's no escaping streets plastered with handmade posters for five-star reviewed shows you've never heard of, the West End location of this restaurant otherwise feels like a little pocket of calm in the storm that is the annual festival. Read more of Sarah Campbell's reviews: From the get-go, I'm liking the look of The Palmerston's menu. The team here buy their animals whole and makes use of in-house butchery skills to ensure minimal waste, which means they're not afraid to serve the likes of rabbit or quail on the bone. And even though we're fully aware there's a three-course meal ahead of us, a pre-starter snack of radish and anchoïade (£5) has to be done. For a salty-over-sweet-eater, it's a dream nibble with pungent, salty anchovies blitzed into a runny paste with garlic, olive oil, and vinegar served with half-moons of peppery pink-skinned veggies for dipping. Pictured: A snack of anchoiade with fresh radish (Image: Newsquest) It's accompanied by a wedge of sourdough bread (baked in-house) and an artery-clogging smear of salted butter. A simple snack that's indicative of all that's to come. There's no faffing with presentation, but man, does it taste good. Pictured: Grilled squid salad wih marinated tomatoes and harissa (Image: Newsquest) Next up is a grilled squid salad (£14), with assorted lettuce leaves and marinated tomatoes. With a touch of harissa staining the creamy dressing a soft shade of pink, it's not unlike a levelled-up version of a classic prawn cocktail. So far, so retro. It's a world away from our second choice of fried rabbit shoulder (£13), where a perfectly crisped outer layer gives way to rich, gamey meat alongside padron peppers and herb-heavy green goddess dressing. 'No judgment if you use your hands with this one,' one of the servers dressed in a matching T-shirt had assured us upon the dish's arrival. Sound advice. The smaller plates are of a deliciously high calibre, and I'd happily order either again with a glass of Cremant de Loire rosé (£10) for a more casual lunch date at the bar seats. Pictured: Rabbit shoulder with Padron peppers and Green Goddess dressing (Image: Newsquest)Moving on, I'm thrilled to find the slow-roast Shetland lamb (£30) is topped with another dollop of that silky anchoïade. It's like running into an old friend on the street, and I already know the intense flavours will enhance a generous serving of tender dark meat and the chickpeas softened in its juices below. Pictured: Slow roast Shetland lamb, chickpeas, green beans, oregano and anchoiade (Image: Newsquest) The green beans are served untrimmed, as though they've just been plucked from a neighbourhood allotment. This is not the type of food that should be fiddled about with, and once more, I find myself appreciating the no-nonsense approach to presentation. Elsewhere, a bed of smoky, spiced, sweetcorn is a terrific match for grilled quail (£27). And there are those same sort of charred green peppers from the starters again, their blistered skin giving the dish an extra bite of earthy bitterness. Pictured: Grilled quail. spiced sweetcorn, frigatelli peppers and sage (Image: Newsquest) From the side dishes of new potatoes or salad (both £5), our server had suggested the former. Given the portion sizes of the mains, we could have easily gone without the extra greenery, but for a lighter order of snack-y plates, these roughly torn leaves in a punchy dressing would likely be better appreciated. Allowing ourselves just a moment to lament the final forkfuls of lamb and quail, all too soon we're on to desserts. Pictured: Roast apricots, meringue, cream and pistachio (Image: Newsquest) Neither of us has a particularly sweet tooth, so I'm surprised that my dinner date is reluctant to share his choice of roast apricots with meringue, pistachio and cream (£8). When he eventually relents, I quickly understand the reason for this fleeting moment of selfishness. If ever there was a dessert that screamed summer, this is it, with tangy cooked stone fruit and sugary homemade meringue and a dusting of delicate nutiness. Pictured: Greenage and almond tart with creme fraiche (Image: Newsquest) My bargaining tool in this trade? The greenage and almond tart with creme fraiche (£8). This is a real showcase for the talent of the restaurant's bakery team, and there's no faulting the balance of sour, plum-like fruit with crumbly pastry and sponge-like filling. It's unpretentious, thoughtful cooking at its best, and after a triumphant duo of desserts to end our Sunday lunch, The Palmerston effortlessly sails up the rankings of my favourite Edinburgh spots. Menu: They're not afraid to serve meat on the bone at The Palmerston, and dishes are thoughtful yet unpretentious. An extensive wine list and whisky selection are also worth a look. 5/5 Service: The team are confident and chatty, filling us in on the special events to come and happy to make menu recommendations. 5/5 Atmosphere: A mix of families and small groups makes for a nice buzz in this chilled-out space. Next time, I'll make a booking for the bar seats.4/5 Price: Starters range from £9 - £14, and main courses sit around the £30 mark. 4/5 Food: With big bold flavours and no-nonsense presentation, The Palmerston effortlessly sails up the rankings of my favourite Edinburgh spots. 9/10 Total: 27/30 The Palmerston is located at 1 Palmerston Place in Edinburgh


The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Seven cheap days out for children with autism and ADHD this summer including Chessington and The Science Museum
CHILDREN with autism or ADHD can get access to cheap days out this summer. Venues, attractions and museums often sell concessionary tickets to households on benefits, including Disability Living Allowance (DLA). 1 The benefit is for children aged under 16 with mobility or care needs such as autism or ADHD. From theme parks to opera performances, here are some of the cheaper days out those on DLA can unlock this summer. Alton Towers Guests to Alton Towers who claim DLA are entitled to one free companion ticket, should that person need a carer. However, the guest on DLA and any further members of their party will have to pay full price for tickets. Day pass tickets for adults cost from £34. Find out more via Chessington Visitors on DLA can also claim one free companion ticket at Chessington World of Adventures. The guest with the disability and any other party members have to pay full price for tickets. Day pass tickets cost from £32. Find out more via Science Museum The Science Museum in London offers "early bird" reduced rate tickets to sensory friendly events for children with autism. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Standard ticket prices to non-early bird events vary but can cost between £15 and £18. Find out more via Stanley Arts Stanley Arts, in London, runs an Affordable Ticket Scheme offering free or discounted tickets to selected performances. Tickets usually cost up to £14. You may also get subsidised entry to workshops and audio-described tours. However, the scheme is only open to residents living in the following postcodes: SE25, CR0, SE19, SE20 or CR7. You will also need to be on one of the following benefits: Attendance Allowance Carer's Allowance Your child receives Free School Meals Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Housing Benefit Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Pension Credit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Universal Credit (UC) Bereavement Support Payment You can sign up and find out more via Opera North National opera company Opera North, in Leeds, offers £10 tickets to households on Attendance Allowance. You can also claim the concessionary tickets if you're on Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance, PIP and Universal Credit. Standard entry tickets can cost from £16. Find out more via UK Cinema Association cinema trips The UK Cinema Association (UKCA) runs a CEA Card scheme offering those on Attendance Allowance free carer tickets. The card costs £6.50 per year and can be used to claim free tickets across more than 100 venues. You can also apply if you're on Disability Living Allowance, PIP, Adult/Child Disability Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment. More details and how to apply can be found via Arts Depot The Arts Depot, London, offers free and subsidised tickets (usually costing £14) for selected shows across the year. To claim the tickets you have to first apply for the Artsdepot Access Fund. You will then be able to access two tickets for adult shows and up to four tickets for family shows on a first come first serve basis. To qualify, you must live in: Barnet, Harrow, Brent, Camden, Haringey, Enfield or Hertfordshire. You must also be on one of the following benefits: Attendance Allowance Carers Allowance Child receives free school meals Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Housing Benefit Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) Pension Credit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Universal Credit (UC) For further details and to apply go to Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@

The National
3 days ago
- The National
AC/DC at Murrayfield 2025: Seating plan and view from seat
The group was formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1973 by brothers Angus (lead guitar) and Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar) alongside Colin Burgess (drums), Larry Van Kriedt (bass guitar) and Dave Evans (lead vocals). If you're planning on seeing the superstars live, here is everything you need to know about your seat. When are AC/DC coming to Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium? AC/DC will perform at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium on Thursday, August 21, with doors opening at around 5pm, according to Ticketmaster. Are there still tickets for AC/DC at Murrayfield? Yes, there are still a handful of resale tickets left for their Edinburgh show. However, the availability of these is very low. This rarity has been reflected in the price, with the most affordable ticket costing around £246. What is the seating plan for AC/DC at Murrayfield Stadium and what will my view be like? This will be the seating plan at Murrayfield for the AC/DC concert, according to There will be both seating and standing zones. The colour-coded seating plan for the show (Image: Ticketmaster/ Those wishing to see what the view from their seat will be like can visit A View From My Seat. Recommended Reading: What are the age restrictions in place for the AC/DC show in Edinburgh? There are a number of age restrictions in place for the AC/DC concert at Murrayfield. No persons under the age of 14 are permitted into the standing area, with those aged 14 to 15 needing to be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over at all times (1 adult minimum per four persons aged 14 to 15 years old). No persons under the age of five are permitted into the seating zone, with those aged five to 15 needing to be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over at all times (1 adult minimum per four persons aged eight to 15 years old).