This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7931251.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| TV magician Ali Bongo dies at 79 | TV magician Ali Bongo dies at 79 |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| Magician Ali Bongo, who made numerous appearances on television, has died aged 79 after suffering a stroke. | Magician Ali Bongo, who made numerous appearances on television, has died aged 79 after suffering a stroke. |
| Bongo - whose real name was William Wallace - also acted as a consultant on programmes including The Paul Daniels Magic Show and Jonathan Creek. | Bongo - whose real name was William Wallace - also acted as a consultant on programmes including The Paul Daniels Magic Show and Jonathan Creek. |
| The BBC drama's creator David Renwick once said that Bongo's work had inspired its lead character. | The BBC drama's creator David Renwick once said that Bongo's work had inspired its lead character. |
| He became president of The Magic Circle in September and had been giving a lecture in Paris when he fell ill. | He became president of The Magic Circle in September and had been giving a lecture in Paris when he fell ill. |
| Bongo's other screen appearances included 1970s children's shows Pauline's Quirkes and The Tomorrow People. | Bongo's other screen appearances included 1970s children's shows Pauline's Quirkes and The Tomorrow People. |
| 'Great entertainment' | 'Great entertainment' |
| He also fronted Ali Bongo's Cartoon Carnival, which ran for nine episodes on the BBC in 1971. | He also fronted Ali Bongo's Cartoon Carnival, which ran for nine episodes on the BBC in 1971. |
| His ability to devise and demonstrate tricks led to work with TV magicians including as assistant to David Nixon, and later with Paul Daniels as his chief consultant. | |
| Bongo also worked with actors, teaching them how to replicate illusions on film, including the BBC's 1999 production of Oliver. | Bongo also worked with actors, teaching them how to replicate illusions on film, including the BBC's 1999 production of Oliver. |
| Bongo, who was born in India, also produced a number of books in which he illustrated how to perform magic tricks. | Bongo, who was born in India, also produced a number of books in which he illustrated how to perform magic tricks. |
| The magician said he was against exposing tricks on television, saying it ruined the fun for budding young illusionists. | The magician said he was against exposing tricks on television, saying it ruined the fun for budding young illusionists. |
| "It's rather silly. That spoils it for a great many kids. If their tricks are exposed on TV, they can't show them to their friends. | "It's rather silly. That spoils it for a great many kids. If their tricks are exposed on TV, they can't show them to their friends. |
| "Magic is a great entertainment if done professionally and with style," he added. | "Magic is a great entertainment if done professionally and with style," he added. |