Wayne Dobson

Wayne Dobson (5 July 1957 – 7 July 2025) was an English magician, who became well known through various television appearances in the late 1980s and 1990s. At the height of his fame, he had his own television series Wayne Dobson – A Kind of Magic. He became known as a campaigner for multiple sclerosis charities.

Early life and magic career Dobson was born in Blaby, near Leicester and developed an interest in magic at an early age. He attributed the start of this interest to experiences including seeing an entertainer at a children's party and watching television programmes such as the David Nixon show. When he was nine his parents gave him a David Nixon Magic set as a Christmas present and thereafter, he became a dedicated performer always seeking to learn new tricks. During a school trip to London to visit the British Museum, he stumbled upon the Davenports magic shop, to which he would return often during his teens as he sought to learn more about professional magic. At Davenports, he met magician Pat Page who became a mentor and lifelong friend. Other influences cited by Dobson include Roy Johnson, Ken Brooke and Dai Vernon, who was revered among magicians for his close-up magic.

At the age of 16, Dobson became the youngest ever member of the Leicester Magic Circle. He also started to pick up work on a semi-professional basis at local clubs. In 1977, he won joint first prize in the close-up competition at the International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring Convention. This led to his television debut on the BBC Television show Blue Peter. Encouraged by this success Dobson decided at the age of 21 to become a full-time professional magician.

Later career Having reduced his performing work because of the advance of his MS, Dobson continued with a successful career in magic. Being highly regarded among fellow professionals he found himself in demand as a lecturer at societies and conferences. He ran DTRIK, a business developing and marketing magic tricks. He appeared in the 1989 episode on 27 May 2018, talking about The Royal Variety Performance, his own television special and health issues.

In 2022, Dobson announced his return to live performance with a new theatre show at Haslemere Hall in Surrey.

Personal life and death Dobson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1988. He became an ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) charity.

Dobson died from complications of MS on 7 July 2025, at the age of 68.

Awards and honors