{{Short description|English entertainer}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Paul Zenon | image = Paul Zenon 2012.JPG | caption = Zenon in 2012 | birth_name = Paul Collins | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|year=1964|month=6|day=29|df=yes}} | birth_place = Skipton, Yorkshire, England | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | occupation = magician, sceptic, comedian, writer | years_active = 1980–present | spouse = | parents = | website = {{Official website}} | television = | education = | alma_mater = | module = {{Listen|embed=yes|filename=Paul Zenon voice.ogg|title=<span align="center">Paul Zenon's voice</span>|type=speech|description=<span align="center">Recorded October 2016</span>}} }}
'''Paul Zenon''' (born '''Paul Collins''') is an English stage and TV magician, comedian, presenter and writer.
He is the author of three books on magic, proposition bets and practical jokes, and an expert on the history of magic and magicians, variety, and unusual entertainments. His specialist subjects include magician and escape artiste Harry Houdini, faux Chinese magician Chung Ling Soo, and Jasper Maskelyne, the 'War Magician'. He is a sceptic with strong views on claims of psychic abilities and the paranormal.
Zenon is a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star status and was the recipient of the Carlton Award for Comedy in 2015, the Sir Ken Dodd Comedy Award in 2017, presented by the man himself, the Neville King Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2019 and the David Berglas Award for Outstanding Contribution to Magic, also in 2019.
==Career== Throughout his teenage years, Zenon spent the summer holidays working in the Blackpool magic and joke shop 'The House of Secrets' which was run by Bill Thompson, who became his friend and mentor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Under no illusion why magician is back in town|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/features/under-no-illusion-why-magician-is-back-in-town-1-5925025|website=The Gazette|accessdate=15 June 2014|ref=08/06/13}}</ref><ref name=janarchy>{{cite web|last=Morley|first=Jacqui|title=illusionist and tV personality Paul Zenon returns to his 'spiritual' home|url=http://www.janarchy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/paul-zenon.pdf|work=08/06/13|publisher=Blackpool Gazette|accessdate=10 April 2014|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140839/http://www.janarchy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/paul-zenon.pdf|archivedate=13 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His solo theatre piece 'Linking Rings' covers this story, together with the parallel one of Houdini and his righthand man Jim Collins, his family namesake. 'Linking Rings' has been performed at Edinburgh and Brighton Fringe Festivals with additional short seasons at Jermyn Street Theatre in London's West End, The Secret Cellar (by Waterloo Vaults), and a performance at the 2017 Blackpool Magicians' Convention.
After early performances at seaside hotels, with several dates supporting rock band Hawkwind on tour and being the lead singer in Blackpool band Crackousrockanroll, at the age of 19 Zenon travelled around Europe as a street performer, performing magic and fire-eating and supplementing his income with fortune-telling. On his return to the UK, he began performing in summer seasons and comedy clubs. He went on to host tours for the British,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pollard|first1=Su|title=Su set to entertain the troops|url=http://www.supollard.co.uk/newsarchive17.html|website=Su Online|accessdate=15 June 2014|ref=30 March 2003}}</ref> UN and US Forces in locations including Germany, Gibraltar, Benbecula, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Belize, Argentina, the Falkland and Ascension Islands and on board the aircraft carrier HMS ''Invincible''.
Zenon has performed and presented at corporate events worldwide since the early eighties and more recently has been a regular performer at international Arts and Fringe Festivals including Edinburgh, Brighton, London, Dublin, Cork, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland, both as guest performer and with his own solo shows, 'Turning Tricks', 'Off the Street, On the Road', 'Cabinet of Curiosities' 'Linking Rings' and 'Paul Zenon's Hellfire Club',<ref>{{cite web|title=Brighton Fringe 2010 Paul Zenon's Cabinet of curiosities|url=http://www.fringereview.co.uk/fringeReview/3390.html|website=fringereview.co.uk|accessdate=28 June 2014|url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202726/http://www.fringereview.co.uk/fringeReview/3390.html|archivedate=14 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 'Lounge Wizard' and 'Linking Rings'.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Paul Zenon in Linking Rings|url = https://www.facebook.com/paulzenonlinkingrings|website = www.facebook.com|accessdate = 2015-10-27}}</ref> Since its inception in 2003, he has been a long-term regular cast member and Ringmaster in the Olivier award-winning New Variety show 'La Clique' and its spin-off production 'La Soiree'.
Since 1980, Zenon has appeared on television as performer, presenter and pundit, including a Royal Command Performance, four one-man 'specials' on Channel 4 and ITV, and as a regular Dictionary Corner guest on Channel 4's 'Countdown, with around 120 appearances to date.
He is a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star status. He is the author of three books.<ref>{{cite web|title=Books by Paul Zenon|url=https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Zenon/e/B001JS40PS|website=amazon.com|accessdate=28 June 2014}}</ref> In 2012, Zenon collaborated with cult comic book artist Vince Ray to produce a custom deck of playing cards: the Z-Ray Deck,<ref>{{Cite web|title = zray deck|url = http://www.zraydeck.com|website = www.zraydeck.com|accessdate = 2015-10-27}}</ref> printed by the United States Playing Card Company, as part of their 'Bicycle' brand.
Zenon has given live talks, including TedX Salford, Centre for Inquiry, Goldsmiths,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Paul Zenon: Mediums at large|url = http://www.gold.ac.uk/calendar/?id=5549|website = Goldsmiths, University of London|accessdate = 2015-10-27}}</ref> University of London, Ratio Conference Bulgaria,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Пол Зенон: Тайните на медиумите {{!}} RATIO - Наука на човешки език|url = http://ratio.bg/news/pol-zenon-tajnite-na-|website = RATIO 2013| date=22 June 2014 |accessdate = 2015-10-27|language = en-US}}</ref> and in 2014 he hosted the QED Conference in Manchester.<ref>{{Cite web|title = QED 2014, 12th-13th April 2014|url = http://lanyrd.com/2014/qedcon/|website = lanyrd.com|accessdate = 2015-10-27|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160420105040/http://lanyrd.com/2014/qedcon/|archive-date = 20 April 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>
In parallel with his career in magic and comedy, Zenon has also worked as an actor; in addition to his early roles in ''Tricky Business'' on Children's BBC, he has made cameo appearances in short films,<ref>{{cite web|title=Films by Paul Zenon|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1600133/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|website=imdb.com|accessdate=28 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=QED Conference 2014|url=https://qedcon.org/schedule/|website=qedcon.org|accessdate=28 June 2014}}</ref> and has written, produced and performed his first one-man stage drama, 'Linking Rings', at Brighton and Edinburgh Festivals which received 5 star reviews from The Edinburgh Evening News,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Review: Linking Rings|url = http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/what-s-on/theatre/review-linking-rings-1-3855118|website = www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com|accessdate = 2015-10-27}}</ref> The List <ref>{{Cite web|title = Linking Rings|url = https://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/event/493099-linking-rings/|website = Edinburgh Festival|accessdate = 2015-10-27}}</ref> and FringeReview.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Linking Rings|url = http://fringereview.co.uk/review/edinburgh-fringe/2015/linking-rings/|website = FringeReview| date=25 August 2015 |accessdate = 2015-10-27|language = en}}</ref> In 2016, Zenon made his one-man West End debut in 'Linking Rings' at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Linking Rings - Jermyn Street Theatre|url = http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/linking-rings-2/|website = Jermyn Street Theatre|accessdate = 2015-12-09|language = en-GB|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129073323/http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/linking-rings-2/|archivedate = 29 January 2016|df = dmy-all}}</ref> In 2015, he was presented with the Carlton Award for Comedy at a ceremony at The Magic Circle's London headquarters.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Magic Circle Awards 2015|url = http://themagiccircle.co.uk/news/995-the-magic-circle-awards-2015|website = themagiccircle.co.uk|accessdate = 2015-10-27}}</ref> In 2017, while MCing the gala show of the Blackpool Magicians' Convention at the Opera House, Paul was presented with the Sir Ken Dodd Comedy Award, by Ken Dodd himself.
==Television== thumb|left|Paul Zenon with Susie Dent on C4's CountdownZenon's early TV appearances included Fun Factory (Granada) in 1980,<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229286/|title = IMDB|date = |accessdate = |website = IMDb|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> and New Faces of '86 (ITV).
In 1990/1991, Zenon starred in two series of the BBC Children's drama ''Tricky Business'', playing the role of Micky.<ref>{{Cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041227000025/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/t/trickybusiness_1299003174.shtml | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/t/trickybusiness_1299003174.shtml | archive-date=2004-12-27 | title=BBC Comedy - Tricky Business}}</ref> In 1992/1993, he was the presenter of ''Tricks n Tracks''<ref>{{cite web|title=Tricks n Tracks|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2256571|website=imdb.com|accessdate=28 June 2014}}</ref> on BBC One, a programme on which he also acted as Magic Consultant. In 1993, Paul wrote, produced and presented ''Magic You Can Do''<ref>{{citation | last=Zenon | first=Paul | title=Magic You Can Do | year=1994 | publisher=Beckmann | location=Ramsey, Isle of Man | oclc=650151619}}</ref> for retail release.
He created, wrote and produced ''Crazy Cottage'', an ITV game show which ran for three series between 1996 and 1998. Zenon was given his own Channel 4 'Comedy Lab' episode ''Paul Zenon – Turning Tricks'',<ref name="Paul Zenon's Tricky Christmas">{{citation | title=Paul Zenon's Tricky Christmas | url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/paul-zenons-tricky-christmas/4od | publisher=Channel 4 | accessdate=2 May 2013}}</ref> in 1998 resulting in the commissioning of his first one-man hour-long Street Magic special of the same name in 1999. This was followed by consecutive specials ''Paul Zenon's Tricky Christmas'' (C4, 1999), ''Paul Zenon's Trick or Treat'' (C4, set in Prague, 2000) and ''White Magic with Paul Zenon'' (ITV1, set in Lapland, 2003),<ref name=speaker>{{cite web|title=Biography: Paul Zenon|url=http://www.speakerscorner.co.uk/speaker/paul-zenon|publisher=Speakers' Corner (UK)|accessdate=10 April 2014}}</ref> where he acted as writer, presenter and executive producer.
In 2005 he wrote, presented and executive-produced a prank special involving hidden cameras ''Paul Zenon's Revenge Squad'', broadcast on ITV. Since 2004, He has been a regular guest contributor in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4's ''Countdown'' and has also appeared on ''The One Show'' (BBC1), ''The Culture Show'' (BBC2), ''The Story of Light Entertainment'' (BBC2), ''Magic'' (BBC2) ''Surviving D-Day'' (Discovery), ''Crafty Tricks of War'' (BBC2), ''The Gadget Show'' (C5), ''The Big Stage'' (C5), ''It Shouldn't Happen to a TV Performer'' (ITV1), and ''50 Greatest Magic Tricks'', ''Duck Quacks Don't Echo'' (Sky1), ''When Magic Goes Horribly Wrong'' (C5), ''BBC News'' and ''Mysteries at the Museum'' (Travel Channel).
==Charity== thumb|Wonderbus Outing He is the founder of The Wonderbus,<ref name="janarchy"/> a Registered Charity<ref>{{citation | title=Charity Overview – 1126557 – The Wonderbus | url=http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/search-for-a-charity/?txt=Wonderbus | publisher=The Charity Commission | work=The Register of Charities | location=United Kingdom | accessdate=2 May 2013}}</ref> which takes older people from homes and sheltered housing on days out to see live entertainment and events.
After an early fundraising show at The London Comedy Store featuring comedian Stewart Lee, in the summer of 2008 he toured British theatres with comedians Harry Hill and Lee Mack to raise funds for the organisation. In 2009 he put together and hosted a benefit show at the London Palladium featuring comedians Dara Ó Briain, Sean Lock, Lee Mack and Dave Spikey.<ref>{{citation | title=Theatre Review: The Wonderbus – Wycombe Swan | url=http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/Entertainment/Theatre/Theatre-Reviews/THEATRE-REVIEW-The-Wonderbus-Wycombe-Swan-6895.htm | date=19 June 2008 | newspaper=Maidenhead Advertiser | publisher=Baylis Media Ltd | location=Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK | accessdate=2 May 2013 |url-status = dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413130938/http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/Entertainment/Theatre/Theatre-Reviews/THEATRE-REVIEW-The-Wonderbus-Wycombe-Swan-6895.htm | archivedate=13 April 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
==Scepticism== During his early career, Zenon worked as a fortune-teller and since then has been a long-term sceptic with regard to the paranormal and the supernatural.
In 2011, he wrote an article in the Daily Mail<ref>{{cite web|last=Zenon|first=Paul|title=Contact with the spirit world ... or a load of crystal balls?|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/contact-spirit-world--load-1812598|work=09/26/11|date=25 September 2011 |publisher=Wales Online|accessdate=10 April 2014}}</ref> suggesting that psychic Sally Morgan might be using an earpiece through which she could be fed information about members of her audience. This was after members of the public had called a radio station claiming to have heard her appearing to repeat back information that they said moments earlier they had overheard coming from the theatre lighting box during one of Morgan's shows at ''The Grand Canal Theatre'' in Dublin.
Shortly after the article was published, Zenon saw video footage of Morgan walking off a theatre stage and appearing to remove an earpiece. He announced this finding on live television on ''This Morning ''(ITV1). Shortly afterwards Morgan made a statement on her Facebook page saying: "I have done and will continue to wear an earpiece... This is entirely normal and allows me to take stage directions and cues from my Stage Director. Just to be clear, I have never received anything other than stage direction or cues from my Stage Director through an earpiece."<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.facebook.com/sallymorgantv/posts/263732197002482 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/223346227707746/263732197002482 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title = Sally Morgan Facebook Page|date = 14 October 2011|accessdate = 11 October 2014|website = Facebook|publisher = |last = Morgan|first = Sally}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Citing "substantial damage to her reputation, as well as hurt, distress and embarrassment" Morgan filed a complaint to Associated Newspapers and sued for damages over their allegations made via a number of articles about the subject. ''The Daily Mail'' eventually agreed to pay a smaller figure as settlement and retracted the allegation that an earpiece was specifically used to receive information about members of the audience.<ref>{{cite web|last=Halliday|first=Josh|title=Daily Mail to pay £125,000 libel damages over TV psychic 'scam' claim|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jun/20/daily-mail-libel-damages-tv-psychic|date=20 June 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=10 April 2014}}</ref>
Zenon continues to be an outspoken critic of those who purport to be psychic, particularly with regard to claims of receiving communications from beyond the grave. He has contributed to many debates on the subject both at live events including those hosted by Edinburgh Skeptics, Skeptics in the Pub (various), Center for Inquiry (London), Goldsmiths, University of London and Ratio Conference, Bulgaria as well as numerous radio and television programmes. In April 2014 he hosted the QED Conference in Manchester, also co-writing and appearing in the opening film.<ref>{{cite web|title=QED Conference Speakers|url=https://qedcon.org/speakers/|website=www.qedcon.org|publisher=QED|accessdate=11 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807053653/https://qedcon.org/speakers/|archive-date=7 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/bZkLzrnOHVk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140416093450/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZkLzrnOHVk&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|last1=Zenon|first1=Paul|title=Paul Zenon's Preparations (2014)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZkLzrnOHVk|website=YouTube|date=16 April 2014 |publisher=Question, Explore, Discover|accessdate=4 May 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Books==
Paul is the author of three books:
* ''100 Ways to Win a Tenner: Scams, Cons, Games You Can't Lose!'' (2003).<ref>{{citation | last=Zenon | first=Paul | title=100 Ways to Win a Tenner. | publisher=Carlton | date=2003 | location=London | isbn=9781842229231 | oclc=52232080}}</ref> * ''Paul Zenon's Dirty Tricks: Pranks, Wind-Ups and Practical Jokes – A Guide to Getting Your Own Back!'' (2004).<ref>{{citation | last=Zenon | first=Paul | title=Paul Zenon's Dirty Tricks. | date=2004 | publisher=Carlton | location=London | isbn=9781844428571 | oclc=56457346}}</ref> * ''Street Magic: Great Tricks and Close-up Secrets Revealed'' (2005).<ref>{{citation | last =Zenon | first =Paul | title =Street Magic. | publisher =Carlton | date =2005 | location =London | isbn =9781844425327 | oclc =60320756 }}</ref>
''Street Magic'' was re-published in 2008 in a smaller format, with illustrations rather than photographs. it was also sub-divided into smaller sections which were released as individual volumes under various titles.
''100 Ways to Win a Tenner'' was released in the States under the title ''100 Ways to Win a Ten-Spot'' and in Australia as ''Bar Bets''.
Condensed versions of ''Paul Zenon's Dirty Tricks'' and ''Street Magic'' were re-released in 2016 as ''Paul Zenon's Practical Jokes'' and ''Paul Zenon's Practical Magic''.
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.paulzenon.com/ Official website of Paul Zenon] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075702/http://www.thewonderbus.org/index.html Wonderbus website] * {{IMDb name|1600133|name=Paul Zenon}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da5moWgDlF8 Clip] from upcoming documentary, "Miracles or Manipulations"
{{Magic and Illusion}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zenon, Paul}} Category:Living people Category:English magicians Category:People from Skipton Category:1964 births Category:English male comedians Category:Comedians from North Yorkshire