Fay Presto

Fay Presto has earned her position as Britain's top female magician (The Independent, July 2005)-- a position that has afforded her the prestige and privilege of being personally invited to entertain Her Majesty The Queen on no less than five occasions, as well as performing for every other senior member of the Royal family. A Member of The Inner Magic Circle, her powerful personality-based magic has set a standard within the magic industry.

Fay showed little interest in performing until her mid thirties, being more content to hammer away back stage in school productions. An academic disaster, her first job was as a laboratory assistant at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment Harwell. This was not a success, nor was a foray into the world of fashion in the East end of London.

A short return to the world of academe was less than spectacular, although as a Student Union President Fay found herself defending the NUS headquarters shoulder-to-shoulder with Jack Straw, the then National President, against attack from Oxford Union Radicals. A longer career in Engineering sales showed more promise until an impending nervous breakdown forced yet another career change into show business. This chequered career was, ultimately, the finest training available for a 'would-be-magician'.

In the world of show business Fay has also performed for Sting, Madonna, Michael Caine, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Paul McCartney, Boy George, Dustin Hoffman, Billy Connolly, Jude Law and Sean Penn to name but a few. Corporate clients include 10 Downing Street, Mirimax, Arthur Anderson, Aston Martin, Tesco, Zenica Pharmacuticals, Citalia, Asprey, Bulgari, HomeBase, Shell, WestLB, Coca Cola and Yahoo.

In 2001 Fay had the privilege to play herself in ITV's 'Emmerdale', something that has only ever been done by the Prince of Wales in 'Coronation Street'. In 1998 she was voted 'Party Entertainer of the Year' by Tatler Magazine.

Fay Presto's other television includes 'Heroes of Magic' (ITV), Paul Daniel's Secrets (BBC1), The Late Late Show for Ulster TV, Dinner Dates (ITV), The Car's the Star, Trick on 2 (BBC2), Wogan (BBC1) and was the sole subject of one of the most successful '40 Minutes' that the BBC ever made, Illusions of Grandeur.

Fay has been resident magician at Langan's Brasserie in London's West End for over 15 years, and until recently she ran the team of in-house magicians at Marco Pierre White's Criterion Brasserie. When not entertaining at corporate or private events she can be seen wowing and amazing diners at Drone's and Marco Pierre White's 'Frankie's'.