“When I started doing magic I was quite obsessive about it. I didn't feel impressive and I had a strong desire to impress people. I was putting all my creative energy into learning and performing tricks, and it helps if you're not in relationships or doing the stuff other people are doing. But it's not necessarily a healthy way of living.”

English mentalist, illusionist, and writer

Derren Brown is an English mentalist, illusionist, and writer. He describes himself as a psychological illusionist, and has built his reputation on stage performances that mix psychology, showmanship, magic, misdirection, suggestion, audience participation, and comedy. His work often targets people who claim supernatural abilities, including faith healers and mediums, with acts designed to show how such claims can be produced. In his live shows, he also explains that his effects come from performance craft rather than paranormal power.