How I Performed the Bullet Catch on BBC Radio 4
When people think of magic, they usually picture a theatre stage, a television special, or a close-up performance. Radio rarely enters the conversation.
So when the BBC invited me to perform one of the signature pieces from my live show on BBC Radio 4, I genuinely wondered if I’d spent a little too long in the sun.
The routine they wanted wasn’t exactly made for radio.
It was my version of the infamous Bullet Catch.
The Bullet Catch is one of magic’s most legendary illusions. Throughout history it has reportedly claimed the lives of 12 magicians and seriously injured one spectator, making it one of the most dangerous feats ever attempted on stage. The most famous magician to lose his life performing it was Chung Ling Soo, whose story is as fascinating as it is tragic.
Fortunately, my performance for BBC Radio 4 wasn’t quite so hazardous.
As part of the satirical comedy programme The Naked Week, I was asked to demonstrate how many copies of The Spectator magazine it would take to stop a projectile.
Safety First
Before anyone became too concerned, mathematical analysts and ballistic experts were consulted. They unanimously agreed that replacing the lead bullet with a paintball was a much better idea.
I was happy to trust their judgement.
Recording the Show
The programme was recorded at a fantastic venue in London before a live audience of more than 150 people.
Andrew Hunter Murray hosted the show, with Jon Holmes directing the production.
The script was brilliantly funny. We recorded well over an hour of material for what eventually became a 28-minute programme, so quite a lot ended up on the cutting-room floor. Hopefully, those extra moments are safely tucked away somewhere in the BBC archives.
I was the final guest to appear, following mathematician Bobby Seagull and media lawyer Duncan Lamont.
Although my full routine lasted around five minutes, the final broadcast featured just over two minutes. Thankfully, the laughter and reactions you hear are completely genuine. Radio audiences can’t see the sleight of hand, visual comedy, or expressions, so the script had to carry much of the entertainment while the audience’s imagination filled in the rest.
Performing the Bullet Catch on the Radio
There was something wonderfully absurd about performing one of magic’s most visual illusions on the radio.
The audience in the room could see every moment unfold, while listeners at home had to build the picture in their minds. It became less about what people could see and more about what they could imagine, which felt strangely appropriate for a magic performance.
If you’d like to see how the routine looks in front of a live audience, you can watch it here.
After the Show
Once recording had finished, several audience members came over to congratulate me on the performance and ask for my card. One lucky guest even went home with the paintball-punctured copy of The Spectator as a souvenir.
Performing magic on the radio wasn’t something I’d ever expected to do and, as far as I’m aware, nobody had previously performed the Bullet Catch on air.
It remains one of the more unusual highlights of my career.
The Bullet Catch is still part of my live show today. If you’re looking for a magician for a corporate event, awards dinner, charity fundraiser, or private celebration, I’d love to hear from you.
Listen to the BBC Radio 4 Recording
If you’re curious to hear how the performance translated to radio, you can listen to the full episode of The Naked Week below.
My appearance begins at around the 20-minute mark.
Performing the Bullet Catch for BBC Radio 4 remains one of the most memorable and unexpected experiences of my career. It proved that, with the right script, a willing audience, and a little imagination, even one of magic’s most visual illusions can work on the radio.
If you’d like to experience the routine as it was intended to be seen, take a look at my performance videos, and if you’re planning an event and would like to bring live magic to your audience, please get in touch.
Magical wishes,
