Magic Nikki joins Dynamo and Paul Daniels in world-renowned magicians' group

Magician Nikki Stapleford with husband and fellow magician Roy Charles

Now magician Nikki Stapleford has been inducted to an exclusive hall of fame for the world’s best entertainers.

Nikki – known as the Magic Lady – has been performing her act for the past 36 years.

At a meeting of the world-renowned Magic Circle in London, she was given a little surprise of her own.

Nikki Stapleford with Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee

The conjurer attended the ceremony to mark 25 years since women were allowed to be members of the exclusive group, but was then called up on stage to be inducted as an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle.

Nikki said her induction into the exclusive club was ‘a real honour’.

The title is limited to only 300 members and includes famous magicians such as the late Paul Daniels and Dynamo.

She said: ‘It was such a tremendous feeling. It is such an honour to be a part of a group that is home to magicians who have inspired me my whole life.

‘When I first started doing magic at the age of 15, Paul Daniels was my hero.

‘Being inducted was quite a shock and it means the world to me.’

Nikki, 52, lives in Portchester with her husband Roy Charles, 51, a fellow magician.

She has been a performing magician since bursting on to the stage at the age of 16 and toured the world in the 1980s and 1990s, performing to thousands of people.

Nikki said: ‘Magic has always been my life. I just love it, there’s no other job quite like it in the world. Seeing the reactions on people’s faces just provides a great feeling.

‘Magic is something that appeals to everybody. I’ve found from doing gigs at school parties to hospitals that it will always create a sense of wonder in people, no matter what their age.’

Nikki started off as a fire-eater, but has also been an illusionist and cabaret artist during her career.

Nikki and Roy met on the magic scene in 1987 and, after remaining good friends, they married in 2009.

Roy said: ‘It has been magic. We did some performances as a duo at the start and now we do them together, so we’re a real magical team. It’s great for us, as we still do jokes on one another and give each other advice.’

Magic has really brought us together.’