MATTHEW Dowden has been a magician for more than 10 years. As well as performing at weddings and corporate events across the North East, he has performed in Hollywood, filmed several best-selling magic instructional DVDs and lectured on magic at the world famous Magic Circle in London.

He’s also advised on various TV projects such as ITV’s Wire in the Blood where he showed actor Robson Green the trick behind making something disappear completely, as well as meeting David Blaine who’d been impressed with his work.

The 32-year-old, who lives in Gateshead, attended Durham Choristers School and Barnard Castle School before studying law at Northumbria University.

What’s your first memory?

I have vague memories of being shown around to my older brother’s nursery class when I was a baby, although that could have been a dream. I remember playing the violin in a little orchestra that my mother would take me to when I was five. The shoe style at the time was big boots with even bigger tongues. I of course had to have a pair and was happy with them until I turned up to orchestra rehearsal to see a girl wearing the same pair. That tends to stick with you.

What were you like as a child?

Occupied. I was very lucky that my parents exposed me to a lot of different things such as music and sport which served me very well in later years.

It meant I never really had any time to be a bad child or anything. My cousin who is quite a few years older than me says that he always remembers me being a caring and loving child full of emotion, which I thought was nice. I think that’s how I’d like to imagine I was.

What music did you like and what was the first record you bought?

The first record or cassette I ever bought was Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer when I was 12. I was a chorister at Durham Cathedral from the age of six-and-a-half until 13 so my life was dominated by classical and church music. I never listened to the radio or the charts. My brother used to tease me about it and would always be shocked if I knew something current. I did like a bit of Barry Manilow ... which I might explain later.

Were your school days the best days of your life?

No, I don’t regret a thing from my school days but my best days are now. I love my life, career, friends and family just as it is now.

Were you ever bullied?

Luckily I was always big and played rugby. I was about 6ft when I was 14 and well-built, so that seemed to put off any would-be bullies. Quite useful really when you sing in the choir and play the violin and piano.

What were your favourite TV programmes?

Well, as I write this there is a re-run of Quantum Leap on in the background and at Barnard Castle School, my senior school, we would watch this religiously on a Thursday night.

What did you want to do when you grew up?

For some reason from an early age I had a definite plan. I was going to go through school, go to university and be a lawyer. It could be to do with the fact that LA Law was a big show when I was very young. I remember being very disappointed when, as a child I found out that the English courts are nowhere near as sexy as the American courts such as those in Ally McBeal. I still went to law school and graduated, but it took four years of that law degree for me to find that I wanted to be a magician.

How did you spend your weekends?

School. I had always had Saturday morning school followed by a sports match of some kind. Sunday at chorister school was spent in the cathedral where as choristers we would have to attend and sing the music for all three services; Matins, Holy Communion and Evensong. I suppose I might have been jealous of the other kids who got to go home on a weekend if I’d have known anything different, but I certainly don’t regret anything and I enjoyed my time as a chorister.

Do you remember your first kiss?

I do indeed. It was with one of the priest’s daughters and it was very nice. I’m still friends with her today.

Who was your first love?

My first love was a sister of one of the boys at my school. It was before my first kiss and we only really exchanged letters, although I once held her hand at her house in the holidays which at the time was THE best thing in the world.

The only problem was that I enjoyed it so much that I then started attempting to hold it ALL the time much to her annoyance. I received a letter from her when I got back to school, having not heard anything in a while. She said that she liked me but that she thought we should just be friends. It was my first girlfriend, the first time I’d ever been dumped and I’m not ashamed to say that I cried. I guess my cousin was right to say I was emotional.

What was the most important thing in the world to you?

As cliched as it sounds the most important thing in the world to me was my family. Although I was at boarding school, I saw my parents all the time and was very close to both them and my brother. My dad was also the school’s most dedicated sports supporter. Come rain or shine he would make it to see me play rugby.

What did you wear then, that you would never wear now?

I have caught myself using the phrase “I had some of them years ago” when looking at some new styles which is always a sure sign that you’re getting on a bit. Once you realise you’ve been around the fashion cycle, it’s the beginning of the end!

How have you changed from your teenage self?

Being an entertainer makes you a lot more confident, but I think I’m basically the same person I was then as I think confidence just allows you to be more yourself than if you’re shy.

Where did you go on holiday?

Hourtin Port in France. My dad would drive the 13 hours with only one cassette on repeat. It was Barry Manilow’s greatest hits ... oh wait, that’s why.

Would the young you be pleased with the adult you?

I’d like to think so. In fact, I often play a little game when I look at my old school photos at my parents’ house. I imagine that someone has travelled back through time to tell all the kids what jobs they are going to have in the future. It would have been quite a thrill when they got to me to hear that I was going to be a magician.

If you could go back in time what would tell your 15-year-old self?

I don’t think it’s possible not to have regrets or things that you would change so I there are certainly a couple of things I’d tell myself to look out for. Having said that, there is always the argument that experiences, even negative ones, are what make us who we are. But if I could only say one thing I think generally I’d just tell myself not to worry about things as everything is going to turn out well in the end.

For more information visit www.matthewjdowden.com or email info@matthewjdowden.com