About

Fay Presto is one of Britain’s most celebrated magicians — a true icon of close-up magic and an originator in her field. Her career began in London’s vibrant nightlife, performing for nightclub impresario Peter Stringfellow as he opened the legendary Hippodrome, Leicester Square. Her reputation for dazzling sleight of hand soon reached actor Michael Caine, who invited her to perform at his renowned restaurant, Langan’s Brasserie — a hotspot where she entertained an extraordinary roll call of stars, including Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

From there, Fay’s unique brand of magic quickly made her a favourite among the world’s most recognisable names. She has performed at countless royal palaces and for many of the biggest figures in entertainment — from Elton John, Sting and JK Rowling to Madonna, Dustin Hoffman, Rod Stewart, Billy Connolly, Jude Law and Sean Penn. A particularly memorable moment came at Buckingham Palace, where Sir Paul McCartney famously declared, “Fay Presto, you are a f***ing genius!” Fay also had the honour of performing six times for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Her reach extends far beyond show business. Corporate audiences have been equally captivated, with clients including 10 Downing Street, Coca-Cola, Aston Martin, Bulgari, Shell and Yahoo. She also entertained guests at Eric Clapton’s 40th birthday celebration, adding another iconic occasion to her remarkable career.

Fay’s achievements have been widely recognised. She was named Tatler Magazine’s Party Entertainer of the Year, cited by The Independent as Britain’s top female magician, and in 2012 became the first woman to win The Magic Circle’s Close-Up Magician of the Year Award. A Gold Star member of the Inner Magic Circle, she remains one of the society’s most respected performers.

Television audiences have also been captivated by her talent. She was the subject of two acclaimed documentaries — Fay Presto: Illusions of Grandeur (BBC, 1994) and Fay Presto: The Queen of Close-Up (2017), produced by Oscar and BAFTA nominee Hanna Aqvilin. Her signature ‘Bottle Through Table’ illusion was ranked among Channel 4’s 50 Greatest Magic Tricks. Other notable TV appearances include Wogan, The Late Late Show, the BBC’s History of Magic series and a cameo in Emmerdale.

In 2025, Fay remains a fixture on London’s West End scene. When not entertaining guests at private events, she can be found performing at The Ned or back at her old haunt, Langan’s Brasserie. Fay Presto’s performances continue to demonstrate why she is regarded as one of the most outstanding magicians of our time.