Dale Shrimpton: I thought that it was very brave of you to do something that is so tied in with one performer, even with lays. ( they all remember the guy who eats ciggies)

Was it your suggestion that you performed it, or did someone at a meeting one day say...." Hey Pete, you smoke don’t you?".

I thought that crediting Tom at the end was a nice touch. Did he have any physical input into the routine?

Pete Firman: Hi Dale

Me doing the cigarette eating act came about because we really wanted Tom to come and be a guest on the show, but he doesn't perform that routine any more, for many reasons, the main one being his health. Andrew O'Connor (Executive Producer) called me and said “You'll learn the cigarette routine won't you?” I thought about it for a little less than I should have and replied “Yep, no sweat!”

There are 3 things you should know about this routine and me:

1. Its really, really hard.

2. It really, really hurts.

3. I don't smoke.

The routine is published, so I set about learning it. I was burning myself, my eyes were streaming, I was vomiting, stinking my girlfriends flat out. It was horrible. I still have all my rehearsals on video, maybe I'll put them out one day and we can all have a good old laugh!

I am a massive Mullica fan, he is one of the great comic magicians. Tom and I corresponded on the routine and he offered sound advice and encouraged me to keep going. I don't feel that the routine is mine, naturally, but during the course of rehearsal I made some handling changes that suit me and the performing to a celeb situation more. I added some original lines. I felt like I should bring something to the table.

I'm very proud of the routine, I perform it regularly and it always gets a great reaction.

I hope that answers your question.

Dale Shrimpton: Cheers, a great answer. Its funny, one of my best mates watched and said he couldn’t ever imagining doing the Mullica act, despite the fact that he can, and indeed does regularly swallow whole lit cigarettes. Normally after a few pints mind.

John Doe: When, how and where did you meet Alistair?

Pete Firman: I met Ali in April 2002. It was the first Monkey Magic meeting we had. All four of us clicked straight away. Ali and I became great mates as we have a lot in common and weirdly we share the same birthday. I shared a flat with Ali for 2 and a half years and over that period we lived magic 24/7. It was the time in which we wrote routines for The Greatest Magic Tricks in the Universe…Ever, Monkey Magic 2, The Secret World of Magic, it was a very productive time.

Dale Shrimpton: One thing that does seem to stand out on any programme you do, is your wide range of magical abilities. What was your background in magic, which lead to having the diverse skills you have? And, out of the different types of magic you have under your belt, do you have a preference?

Pete Firman: Thanks for the compliment.

Up until about 3 years ago I'd always done magic alongside my other passion, which is acting. I have a degree in acting and performance and was all set to do a post-grad acting diploma when Monkey Magic came along. I think this has really stood me in good stead.

Also in terms of learning the craft of magic, nothing beats working all the time. From 17 until 21 I was working in bars and restaurants on a weekly basis. I'd approach them, show them what I did, get my foot in the door and USE them. What do I mean by that?

I had no ambition to be a restaurant magician, but it was one of the only regular performance arenas I could get into. I used it to my advantage. I tried out new material, new presentation ideas, new styles of performance, behind the bar, sitting down with people, walk-around, table hopping, silent, patter etc. I tried all these different things. A lot of the time things failed miserably, so what, I smiled and went on to the next punter. It was a way for me to develop my own style and attitude.

As well as that I was a member of The Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians, a top notch society and a place where I received advice and encouragement from a lot of great people.

These days I don't have the luxury of nursing a routine I'm performing on TV the way I did my Ambitious card. So I have to fake it. This is what I admire about Paul Daniels. That ability to pick up a prop and make it look like he'd handled it forever, like it had been in the act for years when I know he only laid eyes on it earlier that week! That's the real challenge for the TV magician.

I'm not sure I have a preference. Of late I've been enjoying performing my stand-up act, but there’s as much banter as magic in it, maybe that's why I like it, not as many damn tricks!

Mntlst: Having seen you a few times on TV, one question stands head and shoulders above the rest. Who does your hair, because it's quite a unique barnet you've got there.

Pete Firman: No one does it, it was like that when I was born. I havent touched it since I was washed by the nurse.

Dale Shrimpton: It was like that when you were born? I bet you tickled your mums fancy.

Pete Firman: LO very L

Dale Shrimpton: Innuendo at its best. (I’ll be watching out for the line on dt)