Amazing bewildered audiences during one man shows have been a kind of magic for one university graduate.

Magician Jake Banfield, 27, of Cavendish Crescent, Hornchurch, is the star of Sprezzatura, a show featuring card tricks, illusions, and mind games at The Charlotte Street Hotel in central London.

He said: “I wanted a venue that was quite intimate so I would be able to speak directly to people in the audience and as there is a small cinema at the hotel, I thought that would be perfect.

“It has been an ambition of mine to have my own show so I’m really proud that I’ve finally made it a reality.”

The former Sanders School pupil has loved everything magic since he was 12 years old, looking up to magicians such as David Blaine and American double act Penn and Teller.

He said: “David Blaine was always on telly when I was younger, doing these amazing tricks and wowing crowds. Watching him made me want to go out and do tricks myself.”

Since leaving the University of Essex with a first in business management he has been performing magic up and down the country.

Jake, who is a member of The Magic Circle, has also released a YouTube video during which he performs magic in the streets of Shoreditch, shocking passers-by by reading their minds and making a £5 note float mid-air.

He said: “The best thing about street magic is that you get to see different people’s reactions to tricks when they’re not expecting it.

“Teenagers freak out a lot of time, but there have been adults that don’t stay much calmer!”

Jake’s next ambition is to star in a television show during which he would travel to different countries to perform magic.

He said: “I’m in talks with producers at the moment who know how popular magic is, but want to do something different.

“Hopefully we can put something together that people would like to watch.”