The second episode of BBC One’s The Magicians aired on Saturday, 14th January, with another fantastic and dazzling show, presented by Darren McMullen.

The programme saw Pete Firman joined by Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury. During the live show the pair took the famous trick of sawing a lady in half to a new level as Julia had to climb through the ferocious blades of an industrial fan smothered in Firmanite cream (‘It’s the little squirt that prevents hurt’) to help protect her from the terrifying appliance. Miraculously Julia was still in one piece at the end of the trick! Their location for their grand illusion was London’s Battersea Park as Pete’s one-man-band paled in comparison to a magically conjured brass band which played a song chosen by an onlooker.

The legendary David Hasselhoff teamed up with World Champion of Magic, Latimer, who in their pre-recorded grand illusion made The Hoff’s classic Knight Rider side kick Kitt appear out of nowhere in front of an awestruck audience. For their live grand illusion David and Latimer baffled a member of the studio audience with their cheeky Magic Ninja routine.

The pair completed the world’s biggest card trick with the studio audience and viewers at home joining in.

Last week’s winners Barry and Stuart were this week paired with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel-Horwood. Their live trick included Craig having his head chopped off in a guillotine – certainly not a trick to try at home – and Craig also completed a card trick while performing a dance dressed as a pirate.
For their location grand illusion it was an all action escapology trick as Craig was handcuffed and locked in the boot of a moving car packed full of explosives. The car burst into a fireball as it careered over the side of a quarry before Craig spectacularly and miraculously appeared in a helicopter which rose above the flames.

The speciality act for the night was star of Sweden’s The Magicians, Michael Halverson, who got light fingered on stage and showed off his unique pickpocketing act.

At the end of the night it was Craig Revel Horwood who was top of the viewers’ votes with Julia coming in second place. Sadly for The Hoff and Latimer the votes weren’t in their favour and the celebrity and magician pair had to have nerves of steel as they faced a genuinely petrifying task.
The Samurai sword is renowned for having the sharpest blade in the world and David Hasslehoff and Latimer had to walk barefoot to the top of a razor sharp ladder made from these swords.

But the forfeit didn’t end there; they then had to lie down on a bed of swords as a melon was placed on each of their stomachs before a swordsman attempted to slice the fruit…blindfolded!

The live studio audience was on tenterhooks as the forfeit took place but the brave duo proved their metal as they succeeded in their fearlessness and stepped off the knifelike tower without a single nick.