Content warning: this page references suicide, adult themes and sensitive topics – SPOILERS BELOW
Dynamo is Dead, the brand-new two-hour special sees the much-loved magician meet with a number of A-List faces. Expect powerful and candid conversations with some moments of jaw-dropping magic sprinkled throughout!
Read on to find out who will appear and what they’re best-known for…
Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury is a professional boxer, who has held the WBC heavyweight title since 2020 and is known by his boxing moniker ‘The Gypsy King’. Fury and his family were the subject of a 2023 Netflix documentary series, At Home With The Furys, which gave viewers insight into his day-to-day life.
For the first stop on his journey, Stephen heads to Morecambe to meet with someone who is familiar with hiding behind a mask – world heavyweight boxing champion, Tyson Fury.
The pair speak about Tyson’s experience of hitting rock bottom and how his goal of becoming heavyweight champion was an “escape from all this”. But when he achieved his goal in 2015, the happiness was fleeting and two minutes after the win the low feelings crept back in. Tyson reflects on how he “went from being heavyweight champion of the world to attempting suicide 18 months later”. Tyson credits training, having a healthy lifestyle and a structured routine as key tools for managing his mental health.
Meeting with Tyson leaves Dynamo reflecting on his resilience, noting that if he “can take an ounce of his strength” he’ll be “all the better for it”.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Tyson Fury?
In Tyson’s boxing gym, which is decorated with photos from Fury’s fights and wins, Dynamo and Tyson discuss a photo which shows Tyson Fury victorious at a professional boxing fight with a boxing belt around his waist. Hovering his hands over the photo, Dynamo makes the belt disappear leaving Tyson and his family in shock.
The second trick Dynamo performs sees him place a chair in the ring, with Tyson standing at the opposite end facing it and his friend James in front of it. Dynamo instructs Tyson to raise his fists in a boxing stance, imagine all the negative energy building up in his body and when he feels ready to throw a punch in the air in James’s direction. Despite there being metres between them and without any physical contact, James goes flying back crashing into the chair and falling to the ground.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Those who grew up watching Disney Channel in the late 2000’s, might recognise Lovato for her role in TV film Camp Rock. Lovato has also had success as a singer, releasing a number of albums and earning herself a Grammy nomination for her sixth album Confident.
Out in Los Angeles, Dynamo meets with singer Demi Lovato. They discuss the importance of asking for help.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Demi Lovato?
For his first trick, Dynamo asks her to think of someone who has been an inspiration in her life and a source of strength in her journey. Demi visualises writing this name down on a piece of paper before scrunching up the imaginary paper and throwing it to Dynamo. To Demi’s disbelief, Dynamo opens his hand to reveal a screwed-up piece of paper which she unfolds to reveal the name of her source of inspiration – her best friend Libby.
Next, Dynamo hands Demi a book. He asks her to flick through it, stop at a random page, choose a word on that page and close the book. Demi is asked to visualise the word before saying it out loud. Dynamo takes the book and opens it up to reveal real-life butterflies – the word Demi had chosen.
Did Demi Lovato have a drug overdose?
In 2018, Demi woke up in intensive care after a drug overdose. Her journey to recovery has inspired people across the world – including Dynamo.
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne is a British model and actress. As a model, Cara has made multiple runway appearances for high-fashion brands including Chanel, Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta and Louis Vuitton. Delevingne’s first acting role was in the film Anna Karenina before she starred as the Enchantress in Suicide Squad.
In Dynamo is Dead, Dynamo meets with Cara, who is currently working through the twelve-step recovery program to see how she’s finding it.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Cara Delevingne?
After getting Cara to choose a can from the mini fridge, he uses a torch and the shadow of his hand to create the shape of a ‘devil’. He hovers the shadow over the top of the can and it opens. Dynamo turns to Cara, who he says represents the angel in this trick, and using her hand creates a shadow which sends the can flying off the table.
Raphael Rowe
Raphael Rowe is a TV presenter and journalist, who was wrongly convicted of murder in 1990 and subsequently served 10 years in prison before being acquitted and released. Following his release, Rowe studied journalism and has since fronted six series of Netflix series Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons.
Dynamo heads to HMP Shepton Mallet to speak with Raphael Rowe about his experience of prison and how he managed to overturn his wrongful conviction. Raphael reveals that the anger and the “burning fire” inside of him was the weapon that helped him in the situation.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Raphael Rowe?
In HMP Shepton Mallet, Dynamo and Raphael stand on either side of the glass that separates the inmates from their guests in the visiting room. Placing their hands against each other on the glass, Dynamo asks Raphael to close his eyes and imagine there’s no glass between them instead a pulling sensation between their index fingers. Beating his other hand against the glass in time with the sensation, the pair then both move their hands away from the glass. But having formed an invisible connection, whenever Dynamo moves one of his finger’s Raphael’s hand mimics the movement – even though his eyes are closed and he can’t see what’s happening.
With their hands back on the glass, Dynamo draws a diagram of a sunrise and asks Raphael what he’s picturing to which he replies – ‘sunrise’. Magic at its finest!
Kate Beckinsale
Kate Beckinsale is an English actress who made her film debut in Much Ado About Nothing in 1993. Following this, Beckinsale appeared in a number of period dramas and films including Pearl Harbor, the Underworld film series and Total Recall.
In Dynamo is Dead, Kate Beckinsale speaks about the impact of her father’s death, which took place when she was just five years old. She also speaks about the devastating loss of her cat Clive – who she describes as her soulmate – and the phone call that followed, where her mum revealed she was seriously unwell.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Kate Beckinsale?
Dynamo hands Kate a folded piece of paper and a pair of scissors. He asks her to think of an emotional experience from the past year of her life and whilst doing so cut into the piece of paper, before folding the paper up even further and holding it in her hand. Sensing that the experience Kate was thinking of was something to do with the loss of a cat, he asks her to open the paper up to reveal the outline of a cat cut into the paper.
Bugzy Malone
Bugzy Malone is a British rapper, who comes from Manchester – with the rapper often referencing the 0161 area code for Manchester in his music. Malone has often been referred to as having had an influential role in contributing to the revival of the grime genre.
In Dynamo is Dead, Bugzy shares his story and how he managed to turn his life around after serving time in prison at the age of 16. Bugzy reveals that experiencing how bad life can get and realising that he is the designer of his own life, is what drove him to change. And now, as a successful grime artist he uses his music to pass on a message that your individuality is your power.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Bugzy Malone?
To the shock of Bugzy and his friends, Dynamo performs a trick where he turns a lit piece of paper into an ice cube.
Because one trick is never enough, Dynamo performs a second with Bugzy. This sees him lay out four pieces of string, tying a razor blade to one. Dynamo picks up all four pieces of string, placing the razor blade on the outside of his hand before getting Bugzy to choose one and tie the other end of it to the back of a motorbike before it speeds off pulling the string with it. One by one, Bugzy chooses another piece of string until there’s only a choice of two left and a 50/50 chance of selecting the one with the blade. To up the ante, Dynamo places the final two pieces of string – and the blade – in his mouth before asking Bugzy to choose for the final time. By pure magic, Dynamo walks away unscathed with the blade and final string in his mouth.
Steven Bartlett
Steven Bartlett is an entrepreneur and successful podcast creator – hosting the popular series The Diary of a CEO. Testament to his business credentials, Bartlett joined the BBC TV show Dragons’ Den in 2022, becoming the show’s youngest ever Dragon.
In Dynamo is Dead, Dynamo visits Steven Bartlett to see if he has any words of wisdom to share.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Steven Bartlett?
With Steven, Dynamo attempts a card trick. He hands Steven a pack of cards asking him to spread them out on the table before scooping them back up into one stack. Next Steven is tasked with using his intuition to separate the cards into two piles – one for the red cards and the other for black. Steven separates the whole deck of cards before turning over the cards one-by-one to discover he’s managed to separate them according to colour using only his intuition.
Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk is one of the most famous professional skateboarders in the world, who is credited for helping to bring the sport into the mainstream. Beyond skateboarding, Hawk is known for his entrepreneurial endeavours including licencing a video game series called Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater in 1999.
Another sporting legend Dynamo meets with in Dynamo is Dead is Tony Hawk. Meeting at Tony’s skatepark, the pair sit down to talk about resilience.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Tony Hawk?
Standing at the top of the skate ramp, Dynamo asks Tony to pick a card from his deck, show it to the camera before putting it back in the deck. Dynamo shuffles the cards before flicking one out and handing it over to Tony revealing it to be the very card Tony choose.
Next up, he asks Tony to name a card before tossing the whole deck down the ramp. All the cards land face down besides the Ace of Spades, the card which Tony called out.
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British band, made up of four members – Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion. Since the release of their debut album in 2000, they have gone on to win 7 Grammy Awards including Song of the Year for Viva la Vida. They are considered one of the biggest bands, having sold over 100 million albums.
Looking for advice on how to regain confidence in himself and regain the connection with his audience, Dynamo meets with Coldplay. Spending time with the band leads Dynamo to realise that his magic is his voice.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Coldplay?
Testing the connection within the band, Dynamo asks all four band members to close their eyes and after the count of three perform one random action. All four place their finger on their nose. Second time around, they all raise their fists in the air. All four are perplexed at how Dynamo has achieved that Testing their connection further, Dynamo asks all four to say one word out loud on the count of three. All four say ‘light’.
Next, Dynamo asks Chris Martin to think of one special person. Chris is asked to describe the person without naming them before Dynamo correctly guesses who the person is…Bob Marley.
Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson is a comedian, actor and writer. He rose to fame during his time as a cast member on sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. His acting credits include a guest role on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and appearances in films including The Suicide Squad and Bodies Bodies Bodies. In 2020, Davidson wrote and starred in comedy-drama movie The King of Staten Island – which was loosely based on Davidson’s life.
In Dynamo is Dead, Dynamo meets with fellow Crohn’s disease sufferer, Pete Davidson. Dynamo is particularly intrigued on how he managed to do the famous YouTube food challenge series, Hot Ones. The pair also share stories on the ‘close calls’ they’ve had with Crohn’s disease…Pete’s being an unfortunate incident on a plane.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Pete Davidson?
The first trick Dynamo performs on Pete is invisible touch. He asks Pete to close his eyes and simply nod his head every time he feels Dynamo tapping him on his body. Dynamo pulls out a model figurine of Pete and after tapping Pete on his body, begins only tapping or moving the figurine. But to everyone’s surprise, despite having his eyes closed Pete registers the touch and mimics the movement of the figurine.
Because one magic trick is never enough, next Dynamo lines up all of Pete’s friends (of which there are many!) and gets them to place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. Facing them, Pete is told to picture a ball of negative energy in his hands and push it towards the row of friends, which causes them to all fall over.
Jonathan Goodwin
Jonathan Goodwin is a retired stunt performer, who sustained life-changing injuries after a stunt went wrong during rehearsals for a TV show in America. Goodwin now practices hypnotherapy and is a keynote speaker.
In preparation for his final stunt, which sees Dynamo burying himself alive, who better to visit than escapologist Jonathan Goodwin. Jonathan talks about the stunt he was performing which resulted in his life-changing injury. But when asked if he had regrets, Jonathan revealed that he chooses to look at the incident and be thankful that he survived.
After telling Jonathan his plans to bury himself alive, Dynamo is immediately advised by Jonathan to not do it. Jonathan explains that this is the most dangerous escape stunt and “more people have been killed being buried alive than any other escape”.
Kesha
Kesha is an American singer, who gained prominence in 2009 with her hit single Tik Tok. Following the success of Tik Tok, Kesha went on to release multiple music albums.
Dynamo meets with Kesha in LA, with Kesha revealing how she’s evolved throughout her career and the important role music plays in her life.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Kesha?
Dynamo asks Kesha to place her hand on his chest and to begin naming emotions. When asked what colour the feelings would be if they were attached to a heart string, she responds ‘green’. Dynamo pulls down his t-shirt to reveal a piece of string sticking out of his chest, which Kesha pulls all the way out before he reattaches it and the string disappears back into his chest.
Dave Chappelle
David Chappelle is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He starred in and co-created the satirical comedy sketch series Chappelle's Show. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked him No. 9 in their 50 Best Stand Up Comics of All Time.
Towards the end of the show Dynamo heads to Ohio to meet one final star, comedian Dave Chappelle. Dynamo recounts the story of how Dave pulled Dynamo up on stage during one of his London stand-up shows to perform magic for the crowd and how this moment reignited his passion for magic.
What magic trick does Dynamo perform with Dave Chappelle?
After writing his initials on a coin, he hands it to Dave before asking him to choose a card out of a deck of cards. Dave writes his name on the card before placing it in the middle of the deck. He puts the coin in the middle of a piece of paper and places them both on the pack of cards before lighting the paper. The coin with Dynamo’s initials burns through the cards before stopping on Dave’s signed card, perfectly intact.
Next, Dynamo pulls out a Rubik’s cube and asks Dave to shuffle it up. Taking things further, he then gets Dave to put his hands behind his back and mix it up even more. With his hands behind his back, Dynamo asks him to continue mixing whilst describing a time in his life when he felt ultimate peace and serenity. Dave reveals the Rubik’s cube to discover he’s completed it.
Bella Thorne
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