I first stumbled across Derren Brown a few years ago when I was channel hopping and he was first doing some Mind Control specials. I was in awe of him instantly and completely. What he did was totally different to anything I'd ever seen before.

He's went from strength to strength since then, and is now onto his 2nd series of TV programmes on Channel 4, but his first series (Mind Control) is the original and the best, in my opinion.

Derren Brown mixes a unique blend of sleight of hand, misdirection, psychological techniques and tops it all with a large dollop of showmanship. Technically, I suppose you could describe him as a magician, but his magic is not tacky and childish. His magic is believable and engaging, and although you know you're being tricked, he just leaves you wanting to be tricked some more.

In his Mind Control series he performs such tricks as frightening a ghost train operator of his own ride, successfully navigating an 'obstacle course' booby trapped by ex-SAS man Chris Ryan while he (Derren) is blindfolded and making medical students feel toothache pain and making them feel numb while he sticks needles through their skin.

The series has a dark, gothic feel to it, which all adds to the atmosphere, and Derren himself has a smug wittiness and engaging confidence which makes the show rivetingly watchable. Unfortunately, Mind Control is not showing on Channel 4 right now, but many of the tricks feature on Derren Brown's DVD "Inside Your Mind". Plus, due to Derren's recent popularity rise due to his game of Russian Roulette and his live Seance, Channel 4 will probably replay the Mind Control series sometime in the future.

I would recommend the show to anyone.