Legendary 80s magician and TV star Wayne Dobson dies aged 68
At the peak of his fame, he had his own TV series, Wayne Dobson – A Kind of Magic, which ran from 1990 until 1992.
Phil Dobson announced that his brother had died on Monday via a statement on Facebook. "It's with a broken heart that I share the news that my brother Wayne Dobson sadly passed away today," he wrote. "He was my best friend and I miss him already. RIP legend."
From the age of 16, his story with magic began when he became the youngest ever member of the Leicester Magic Circle.
Dobson made his TV debut on Blue Peter after he won a competition with the International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring Convention. It was this success that spurred him on to become a magician full-time at the age of 21.
Dobson starred as the opening act on tour for Dame Shirley Bassey and Freddie Starr. In 1988, he cracked America when he went on tour with Engelbert Humperdinck across Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Atlantic City and Chicago. It was a success.
The magician put on an impressive performance at the 1989 Royal Variety Show in front of Queen Elizabeth, where he was assisted by boxing's Frank Bruno and sports commentator Harry Carpenter.
In 1988, Dobson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis behind the scenes but he continued to perform magic. Never letting it stop his love of performing and magic, his most recent performance was at Haslemere Hall in Surrey in 2022.
According to the NHS, it is a condition that affects the brain and the spinal cord. The magician became an ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) charity.
Dobson previously spoke about his experience of having multiple sclerosis (MS). "I respect my illness but MS definitely makes my life more complicated," he told The Express in 2016. "Overall though, I feel lucky to still be living my dream. Magic definitely keeps me going."
Also in 2016, the magician divorced his wife Marianne. He was quoted by The Mirror saying: "The divorce has been one of the most stressful things to deal with because it just dragged on. But I am over it now and just focused on work... I don't want a girlfriend. I feel most at home with magicians — they're like my family."
In the wake of Dobson's death, people in the magic world have paid tribute to the magic legend.
President of The Magic Circle, Marvin Berglas, said: "The magic fraternity worldwide, and our society in particular, mourn the loss of Wayne Dobson, one of the great magicians of the late 20th century.
"Wayne, our honorary vice-president, wowed millions with his TV shows in the 80s and 90s and his unforgettable appearance on the Royal Variety Show with Frank Bruno and boxing commentator Harry Carpenter brought the house down.
"He did not allow the onset of MS to stop his ever inquisitive mind devising, creating and inventing tricks to the end. We will miss him."
Business partner Mike Sullivan wrote: "It is with a broken heart that my buddy, business partner, and mentor Wayne Dobson passed away peacefully today."
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