An evening with magician Paul Daniels at Banks’s Stadium in Walsall has been cancelled at the 11th hour because of a lack of ticket sales, it was announced today.

Less than half the 300 tickets for tonight’s event were snapped up.

They had been on sale for months before the show.

Those who had bought tickets were today being contacted and offered refunds.

It is not the first event to be cancelled at the Banks’s Stadium because of low ticket sales. Alvin Stardust’s show at the end of last year was also dropped over a lack of interest.

Spokesman for the Banks’s Stadium Andrew Poole said: “It is disappointing because we obviously booked this event thinking it would be a good night, but it hasn’t taken off and only around 100 tickets sold so it has been cancelled.”

The 71-year-old was due to perform at the home of Walsall Football Club tonight with tickets being sold for £32.50 including a four-course meal.

But the one-time TV star, now a motivational speaker, was outsold by other events such as singer Joe Brown’s concert and tribute acts taking to the stage at the venue.

Daniels enjoyed huge success during his television career with his magic shows topping the ratings.

He also hosted shows Odd One Out, Every Second Counts and children’s TV series Wizbit.

Mr Poole said there were other top shows lined up at the venue.

Former Spurs and England striker Jimmy Greaves will be at the stadium in November for a talk followed by former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton in December.