PAUL Daniels is the Middlesbrough-born magician who shot to the fame with ratings-leading shows for ITV and the BBC. Daniels was the first magician outside of the USA to be awarded the ‘Magician of the Year’ Award by the Hollywood Academy of Magical Arts when it was bestowed on him in 1983 and has performed for royalty and members of the Government. You can read more about him on his website http://www.pauldaniels.co.uk or follow him on Twitter @ThePaulDaniels where he describes himself as a “professional magician, international sex symbol and body builder”.

WHAT was your first car?

A 1938/9 Standard Flying Nine.

HOW many times did it take to pass your test, who taught you and what in?

Passed first time. My father taught me in a Hillman.

WHO would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you like to go?

My Dad. Across America.

WHAT is your dream car?

Actually, the Toyota Prius comes pretty damn close and that is after I have owned Ferraris and Bentleys. I guess I'd like to get my hands on one of the unheard of, but very new, compressed air driven cars.

HOW would you describe your driving style?

Like all the other drivers, I think I am pretty good.

TELL me one driving anecdote from your past?

When taking my driving test the examiner shouted the inevitable 'STOP' and I hit the brakes, as you do. What he didn't know was that in that particular model of car there was no exterior 'door' into the boot. You got into it through the back seat. It hadn't been fastened properly and it shot forward throwing all my Dad's tools into the car. The poor old examiner thought something had run into the back of us.

WHAT is playing on your in-car iPod or CD player at the moment and why?

I don't play music in the car. I'm a Radio Four guy.

WHAT do you drive now and why?

A Toyota Prius because it has lots of space in it. It's very reliable, and I do a lot of miles. I get 62 mpg. I do have an old Isuzu Trooper, but that is only used for pulling my boat in and out of the river. Debbie, my wife, has a classic Mercedes sports car.