A TAUNTON magician, illusionist and escapologist renowned for his family shows is starting his 11th season in Blackpool.

Michael Jordan - stage name High Jinx - is starring at Blackpool Tower with his variety show.

Michael, 31, has been on TV several times and taught American magicians Penn and Teller how to spin plates.

He is also a circus skills expert and featuring in his cast is wife Tamsyn, with whom he has two young children.

Tamsyn, 34, started working with Michael in 2011after securing a job as his assistant.

She said: “I was one of those children who always asked for a magic set at Christmas, so was absolutely thrilled when I got the job.”

Since then Tamsyn’s been floated in thin air, cut up and had swords thrust through her.

She said: "I’ve worked closely with Michael over the years to design our illusions and will never let on how it’s done. If I did, he'd have to sack me.”

Michael said: “We’ve a couple of new illusions for Blackpool this year that will have people on the edge of their seats. At one stage expect to see me dangling high above the stage in a box.”

Thrill-seekers will also see him plunge swords into a glass cage while Tamsyn is inside in a death-defying illusion called Excalibur.

Michael added: “What’s really great after the pandemic is that we can get some audience participation going again and it’s wonderful to encourage people up on stage to help me with some of the tricks and illusions.”

The 90-minute show moves from magic to illusions to circus skills including juggling, unicycling, stilt-walking and fire-eating.

Michael has also toured with Le Festival International de Magie in France, a show featuring Europe’s top magicians.

Michael attended a magic show in Blackpool as a child and was delighted to be invited back to do his own show.

He has a busy schedule of bookings including several Haven holiday parks and food festivals across Yorkshire.

TV shows and dramas often contact High Jinx to get Michael to do a stunt. He’s juggled knives dressed as a clown in comedy drama Shameless, unicycled down a path on Emmerdale and breathed out fire on Hollyoaks.

Britain’s Got Talent hired a couple of his routines to help a contestant on the show and Michael has also helped out Strictly Come Dancing with illusion props for spectacular dance routines.