Bradford 2025 will 'change lives and create magic'

Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo) was born and brought up in Bradford

Steven Frayne, formerly known as the illusionist and magician Dynamo, said he hoped Bradford's City of Culture year would "change lives and create its own type of magic".

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Frayne said he dropped the moniker Dynamo because it "felt too impossible to live up to" after a bout of Crohn's disease left him unable to hold playing cards.

Frayne - who was born and brought up in Bradford - headlined RISE, the opening event of City of Culture, in which he performed to a live audience of 10,000 people.

He said: "I don't think any of us in Bradford ever saw this coming and I think it's very needed. There's so many parts of Bradford that need support."

"Some of the areas haven't had the love and support they needed to bring them up to speed," he added.

Dropping Dynamo name

Diagnosed with Crohn's disease as a teenager, Frayne spoke about his recent difficulties with the condition, which left him without the energy or ability to perform.

During his bout of illness, he developed reactive arthritis, which left him unable to grip a pack of cards.

He said: "To not be able to hold cards felt like losing my voice and purpose.

"Everything I've done as Dynamo has been so huge and spectacular, it way exceeded my expectations.

"As Dynamo I walk across the River Thames, I'm doing massive stunts, I perform in arenas, but I'm here as Steven Frayn in a hospital bed struggling to even lift my arms up, even drink tea. It felt like an oxymoron.

"The only way I could go back to basics and have my own full circle moment was to strip away everything people think they know about me, take off the mask of Dynamo, and just focus on being myself and being the best version of myself I could be.

"Regardless of whether I can shuffle cards or not, I still have the capacity to help other people see the magic in themselves."

Frayne thanked the NHS for the support he received during his bout of illness and said he had found "good treatments to keep me going".

He said: "At the time, I felt what was the point of me being here if I couldn't do the one thing I was good at. Magic connects me with people and brings joy. I had no joy to share.

"When doctors gave me hope, convincing me that I would be able to do those things again, that was the spark I needed."

The magician also talked about reconnecting with his mixed heritage. Frayne was born to an English mother and his father had Pakistani heritage.

He said: "My father has Pakistani heritage but he wasn't around growing up, he was in jail at Armley Prison for most of his life and, when he wasn't in jail, he wasn't a big part of my life, so I was raised in a more white household but I did live in Bradford so I was surrounded by different cultures.

"But, as I've got older, I've got prouder of my roots. I love that I have different elements to my life.

"My wife is also of mixed heritage. She's a similar mix, so destiny has brought that back into my life."

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