‘I performed magic to ruffians who would have battered me if I got it wrong’: Dynamo reveals tough upbringing prepared him well for daring new TV series
Dynamo has revealed he performed magic tricks for ‘ruffians’ as a child who would have beaten him up if he got it wrong.
The Bradford native, 37, said his tough upbringing prepared him well for his new Sky One series Beyond Belief where he crossed the border wall between the US and Mexico.
The magician, whose real name is Steven Frayne, told The Sun he has to be ‘fearless’ when performing.
Early days: Dynamo, 37, has revealed he performed magic tricks for ‘ruffians’ as a child who would have beaten him up if he got it wrong
He said: ‘Growing up in the Delph Hill Estate, I performed magic to ruffians who would have battered me if I got it wrong. It’s put me in good stead.
‘When I’m creating magic the agenda is to create the most amazing thing. It’s not political. I have to be fearless in order to attempt these things. It’s not exactly like I asked for anyone’s permission.’
Dynamo described crossing the border wall as one of the riskiest things he has ever attempted as he ended up in an area of Mexico with significant drug activity.
He said: ‘It was very risky. The area I crossed into is just on the outskirts of Juarez which has high cartel activity. It was very daunting. I had to try and get to a certain meeting point.’
Show: The Bradford native said his tough upbringing prepared him well for his new Sky One series Beyond Belief where he crossed the border wall between the US and Mexico
The magician added that all the camera crew was left in America and it was adrenaline that kept him going on the risky trip.
Dynamo has big plans for his magic career as he’s revealed he wants to perform in every country in the world.
Explaining his plans for a global tour, he told The Sun: ‘I want to do a world tour with my magic where I actually go to every country. It would be amazing to go to places like North Korea and Syria and do magic.
‘I often find that we get the best moments of magic in the least likeliest of places, maybe at the end of a long day’s shoot when we’re en route back to base.
He said: ‘Growing up in the Delph Hill Estate, I performed magic to ruffians who would have battered me if I got it wrong. It’s put me in good stead’ (pictured in February 2020)
‘We’ll pull over and film with a group of people, they could be homeless people, and we’ll film magic with them.’
Dynmano recently confirmed he’s on the mend after being diagnosed with coronavirus, but is continuing to sleep in a separate room to his wife Kelly Frayne.
Speaking on Thursday’s This Morning he said: ‘Coronavirus puts me at really high risk. We’re sleeping in separate rooms and keeping each other as far away from each other as possible.
‘It’s been difficult, you have to keep your distance from everyone. I’m feeling a lot better, still croaky. My thoughts go out to everyone who is going through it.’
Dynamo added he is working his way back to full health after self-isolating for two weeks, a recommendation given to all suspected carriers by the World Health Organisation.
On the mend: Earlier this week Dynamo said he’s getting better after testing positive for coronavirus, after being advised to get tested due to his ongoing battle with Crohn’s disease
Last week, Dynamo shared a lengthy video explaining to fans he was advised to get tested privately after suffering from a ‘persistent cough and lots of aches and pains,’ due to his ongoing battle with Crohn’s disease.
Despite the diagnosis, Dynamo reassured fans he’s feeling ‘better and better every day’ and urged his followers to stay at home, as he praised ‘incredible’ key workers for the commitment during the pandemic.
Dynamo explained he was well aware most people could not afford a private coronavirus test, by he’d been advised to do so as he is on immuno-suppressant therapy after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 14.
The star also put his career on hold for several years due to a crippling battle with arthritis, but is now back on screens with Beyond Belief.
Health battles: The star also put his career on hold for several years due to a crippling battle with arthritis, but recently returned to screens with a new series (pictured December 2019)