He used to weave his magic in the office – mending broken equipment – but Chris Corngreave’s new career as a magician has conjured up a whole new life that sees him mixing with the stars and celebrities.

Chris was delighted to be invited to address The Magic Circle and show off some of his sleight of hand routines.

And the Willenhall father-of-one has also been rubbing shoulders with celebrities, entertaining stars such as Wolves legend Steve Bull, comedian Frank Skinner and ’Allo ’Allo’s Vicky Michelle with his mind-boggling illusions.

Chris, aged 36, started doing tricks four years ago when his wife Jane bought him a magic set as a Christmas gift.

In 2005, he gave up his job mending office equipment and decided to take on the mysterious venture full-time.

He works at weddings, conferences and trade fairs where he shows off his slight-of-hand tricks and coin routines. And now he is now even training daughter Georgia, five, for a future in the business.

He is well accustomed to mixing with celebrities in his new role but he said the biggest honour of his career was to visit The Magic Circle, where he gave an hour-long lecture on his coin routines and showed off some of his act. It’s wonderful. It started off as a hobby, and then I realised that I really loved working as a magician,” he said.

“It was a big step giving up my full-time job to go part-time but it was the best thing I ever did. I absolutely love what I do,” said Chris, of Whitewood Glade, Short Heath.”

Chris met Steve Bull at a party of the Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians, and actress Vicki Michelle at a charity party in Wickham. He is known in the business as a “close-up magician”, as all of his tricks are sleight of hand, with cards, coins and money.

He said: “I love impressing people with my tricks and seeing the look on their faces.” Visit www.christophercongreave.co.uk