STEVEN FRAYNE, the magician formerly known as Dynamo, is making a spectacular show to mark 100 years since the death of American illusionist and stunt king Harry Houdini.
The homage will see the Brit star travel across the US recreating some of his idol Houdini’s famous wizardry, but with a modern twist aimed at 21st-century audiences.
Steven Frayne is also known as magician Dynamo[/caption]
Dynamo is making a spectacular show to mark 100 years since the death of American illusionist Harry Houdini[/caption]
The three-parter for Sky, which will start filming in spring next year and is expected to drop later in 2026, has the working title Impossible.
A TV insider said: “Steven will be carrying out death-defying challenges, just like his hero Houdini, who is considered the world’s greatest ever illusionist and escapologist.
“But the stunts will be carried out in combination with his own brand of street magic as he journeys across the US to mark this special anniversary.”
Houdini died on October 31, 1926, aged just 52.
But during his lifetime he became one of the world’s most celebrated performers, progressing from vaudeville variety shows in his home country, to stages around the globe.
He would conjure up incredible acts such as being placed underwater in a straitjacket or inside a liquid-filled milk churn — and escaping.
He even challenged police forces anywhere in the world to keep him under lock and key, such was his ability to get out of even the most robust of handcuffs.
It was partly down to Houdini that Steven gained his moniker Dynamo.
In 2001, while he was performing at a celebration of the great showman in New York — alongside US magicians David Blaine and David Copperfield — an audience member shouted: “This kid is an effing dynamo!”
The title then stuck. But in 2023, in Sky show Dynamo Is Dead, he “killed off” his alter ego and reverted back to his former name.
Phil Edgar-Jones, boss of Unscripted Originals at Sky, said of Steven’s new project: “It’s the magic pairing we’ve all been waiting for.
“This show will be bold, unpredictable and full of that edge-of-your-seat magic only he can deliver.”
Amanda nips out
WHEN cheeky Amanda Holden debuts one of her daring dresses on Britain’s Got Talent, you always have the sense she knows it will get quite a bit of attention.
Though she probably doesn’t expect to see Ofcom swamped with complaints.
At the weekend, Amanda wore an outfit that showed a bit of flesh[/caption]
But at the weekend’s BGT auditions in Blackpool she surprised even herself with an outfit that showed a bit more flesh than expected.
After walking on stage wearing a strapless top on Saturday afternoon, she raised her arm to wave at the audience, and nearly flashed the whole theatre by accident.
Luckily she saw the funny side, and after sitting down at the judges’ desk, she pointed at her boob and told the crowd: “This keeps nearly slipping out every time I raise my arms.”
So production had to create a splinter team whose job was to be on permanent “nipple watch” lest her chest make a cameo appearance when she got animated.
Bet there wasn’t a shortage of volunteers.
Rylan’s shocked by witch
RYLAN CLARK experienced many revelations in his new series Witches Of Essex, but the greatest had little to do with the supernatural.
While making the Sky History documentary, which starts tomorrow, he spotted one of his fave actresses in the dramatised sections.
Rylan in his new series Witches Of Essex, pictured with co-host Professor Alice Roberts[/caption]
It was Susie Amy, who plays a woman wrongly accused of being a witch.
Rylan, who co-hosts with Professor Alice Roberts, said: “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, Chardonnay from Footballers’ Wives is in it!’ It’s my dream come true. It’s a real hybrid of a show, it’s a documentary meets drama meets real life.
“The documentary side is me and Alice visiting places, speaking to people and professionals.
“That is intercut with a period drama showing what we believe happened, then we are in an incident room piecing the story together.”
ITVX’s new Offering
ITVX has added 2022 series The Offer to its streaming service.
It tells the story of The Godfather producer Albert S Ruddy (Miles Teller) pitching the 1972 film – which would become one of the greatest movies of all time – to Paramount Pictures president Robert Evans, played by Matthew Goode.
Claudia encore on piano
CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN is one busy woman.
The Celebrity Traitors host is enjoying the BBC One show’s success but has more reason to celebrate after bagging another season of The Piano.
Traitors host Claudia Winkleman is enjoying the BBC One show’s success[/caption]
Singer Mika, a judge on the Channel 4 contest for amateur pianists, let slip that a fourth season is in the works, while attending the Attitude Awards.
Asked if another instalment was coming, he replied: “Yes. Am I allowed to tell you? I don’t care. We are doing another season.”
Mika added of the show, which sees contestants perform at railway stations: “It’s such a special thing in TV. And, if we do it again, which we are getting the chance to do, we’ll give it all our heart.”
I wouldn’t have expected anything less.
Dale of time on Corrie
ITV bosses are slipping in more crossover scenes for Coronation Street and Emmerdale ahead of the Corriedale special in the New Year, I can exclusively reveal.
Last month a wanted poster for Emmerdale killer John Sugden appeared in Weatherfield’s police station – and eagle-eyed fans will spot more things soon.
Emmerdale killer John Sugden appeared on a wanted poster in Corrie[/caption]
Cobbles boss Kate Brooks said: The script’s brilliant. The actors are loving it because it’s so different and unique from what they’ve ever done before.
“I’ve been on set a few times. The mood and the camaraderie is really infectious. People are loving working with people they have not worked with before.
“It’s just dead exciting.”
Liv’s sisterly inspiration
OLIVIA COOKE has revealed the inspiration for her character Cherry in The Girlfriend – her own sister Eleanor.
She said: “When I read the script, I was like, ‘This is my sister!’. She’s really glam, so charming, so funny and has somewhat of a temper.”
But she added: “My sister is NOT crazy.”
Rovers is better than Eva
CORRIE bosses are hoping Rovers Return can win back the crown of best soap pub – with the return of Eva Price after seven years away.
Producer Kate Brooks has teased that the comeback of former barmaid Eva, as landlady, will “inject more energy than ever”.
Cath Tyldesley will reprise her role as Eva, whose new partner Ben is played by Shameless star Aaron McCusker, and his mum by Father Ted’s Pauline McLynn.
Kate told us: “The energy and love in that pub now, I’m like: ‘If I’m going to have a lock-in anywhere, it’ll be the Rovers and I’ll be there until 5am at least!’
“There’s so much warmth and joy.
“For me, the pub works if there’s a big family at the heart of it, that loves each other.
“These guys love each other with a fierceness.”
