HE can turn lottery tickets into cash better than Camelot and make card turn to glass in your hand, Magical Bones is a magician par excellence.

It was a sunny day on Greenwich’s cable car when I was left open-mouthed by Bones’ trickery, which included the above and turning fivers into tenners, and I thought this is a man I need to stay in touch with.

Real name Richard Essien, from Catford, this illusionist performs street magic both close up and on stage, where he likes to fuse his love of music and culture and his skills as a breakdancer with his magic in a style which he describes as “soulful astonishment”.

He first dabbled in magic aged eight when his mum bought him a Paul Daniels magic set for his birthday.

He said: “Since then I have been addicted.

“I'm inspired by great performers, such as David Blaine, David Copperfield and Michael Jackson.

“I practice magic everyday in front of the mirror to keep my skills sharp.”

The practice has clearly paid off because his tricks are mesmerising and he is regularly booked to perform at private parties, corporate events and festivals such as Rockness and Bestival.

His stage name Bones originated in his career as a breakdancer and he added the Magical when he took up magic professionally.

He said: “Anyone can learn magic if they are passionate and stay dedicated to learning manipulation and sleight of hand techniques.

“Magic can be very tough as a career because it takes a lot of practice and patience before you can successfully perform the sleights deceptively, and learning how to entertain an audience comes with years of experience. So it is important to be very dedicated.”

Follow Magical Bones on twitter @magicalbonez or check out magicalbones.com

MAGICAL BONES’ 30-SECOND MAGIC TRICK 

“Here is a trick that could make you seem as a miracle mindreader:

“Quickly ask someone to think of a number between one to ten. After a slight pause snap your fingers at say ' Seven'.

“Your friends will be left gobsmacked because 70% of the time most people say seven.

“If they say another number then you can just pretend it was a joke!”