A WEST Devon magician has taken home the top title in a prestigious nation-wide search for the UK’s top ‘Family Entertainer of the Year 2017’ — one of the most coveted awards in the magic industry.

Martin Gardiner, known as Magic Martin, won the South West heat of the competition late last year and attended the final at the weekend at the Blackpool Magic Convention, attended by some of the world’s finest performers in magic.

Up against six other top magicians from the length and breadth of the UK, Martin showed his best tricks within a 15-minute time limit to impress the judges. His audience consisted of children and families and thousands of magicians from around the world who attended the four-day event.

Martin, from Lifton, was judged on his showmanship, originality, skill, magical content and entertainment value.

The 32-year-old said he was ‘honoured’ to have won first place. He said: ‘It was a real honour to be chosen to take part this year. I felt it was a great achievement as I have been working as a magician and entertainer for 15 years and have always dreamt of taking part in the Blackpool competition.

‘The competition was said to be very strong this year with each act being diverse, original and at the top of their game. This has to be the highlight of my career — to have my name called out as the winner on stage was a moment I will never forget!’

This was not Martin’s first foray on to the big stage however, as in 2012 Martin took part in Britain’s Got Talent performing on stage at the Apollo Theatre in front of an audience of 4,000, including judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Alicia Dixon. He was given a ‘yes’ and made it down to the last 80 contestants at boot camp before having to bow out of the competition due to contractual agreements, performing his show at sea.

Martin said: ‘Standing backstage to collect my award, I was among some of the greatest talents in magic. Ken Dodd, Paul Zenon and Fred Van Buren were beside me waiting to go out to collect their own awards — I had to pinch myself!

‘My next goal is to put together an act that I can hopefully take forward to the European championships, which takes place every three years.’