TV magician Wayne Dobson dies, aged 68

Former TV magician Wayne Dobson has died at the age of 68.

The Leicester-born entertainer became a well-known face through appearances on British television variety shows in the late 1980s before landing his own ITV series, which ran from 1991 to 1993.

He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 31 but continued to perform live until 2003.

A representative said he died on Monday following “several months of debilitating illness”.

Dobson’s wisecracking style of magic saw him rise to prominence through the 1980s.

He was hired as a support act for Engelbert Humperdinck’s Las Vegas residency in 1988, before receiving his multiple sclerosis diagnosis a short time later.

Despite this setback, a well-received appearance at the The Royal Variety Show in 1989 saw him given a regular spot on Joe Longthorne’s TV show before ITV commissioned his series Wayne Dobson – A Kind of Magic.

Featuring Linda Lusardi as his regular assistant, the show ran until 1993.

While his multiple sclerosis symptoms continued to worsen in the years that followed, Dobson continued to tour.

At one point he became part of Joe Pasquale’s live show.

When he became unable to perform live any longer, he started a business selling his routines, illusions and creations to magicians around the world.

He continued to make regular appearances at conventions until two years ago.

In the 2010s he became a supporter of the MS Society.

In a statement, the charity said: “Diagnosed with MS in 1988, Wayne was a passionate supporter of MS research and used his magic to inspire others.

“He once said he wished he could make MS disappear. We won’t stop until that’s a reality.”