A CELEBRITY magician co-hosted a star-studded event to raise cash for a charity which helps a close friend and fellow performer.

Marks Tey illusionist Michael J Fitch teamed up with his hero and pal Wayne Dobson – star of former prime time ITV show A Kind of Magic - for a sold out event at premier industry venue The Magic Circle.

The pair have co-hosted Wayne Dobson and Friends annually in Blackpool.

But after it proved a hit, they decided to host a special version in London to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society because Wayne suffers from the disease.

Each person living with MS has unique symptoms and Wayne is paralysed from the neck down.

It means although he now struggles to perform tricks he can still think them up and pass on his knowledge.

The friends met 15 years ago and Michael said it was an honour to have become so close to someone who was such an inspiration.

He said: “Wayne can still create magic and he is often coming up with ideas and telling me to go and get a pack of cards so we can try things out.

“It was just an incredible evening.

“You are really lucky when you can meet your heroes but you are even luckier when you can work with them and become friends.

“One of his most famous bits was throwing his voice and giving some people really high voices and others really low, and he has allowed me to do it as part of my act which is an honour.

“He never complains about his condition and just gets on with things, which is really inspiring.”

The event included appearances from Wayne’s glamorous assistant Linda Lusardi, bunny sidekick Ringo Rabbit, celebrity pal Brian Conley and a surprise comedy skit by The Chase star Bradley Walsh.

Derren Brown and Dynamo also recorded personal messages for Wayne.

Wayne said: “It was a really, really good night – it was brilliant and went beyond all out expectations.

“Seeing Bradley was unbelievable I had absolutely no idea he was going to appear on the stage.

“I’ve known Michael for years and he does my stuff the way I like it to be done.”

To donate to the charity visit justgiving.com/fundraising/WDatTMC