THE Derren Brown effect is sweeping the nation.

Love him or hate him, the TV illusionist is positively mesmerising.

He’s always been something of a wonder to me, since I first tuned into his Channel 4 show Derren Brown: Mind Control, in 2000.

But ever since the first in his latest series, where he correctly predicted the lottery numbers, was aired, he has got everyone’s attention. Even if you think what he does is nonsense, it remains a fact that he is one very talented showman.

You find yourself tuning into his shows even if you don’t really want to and all you are doing is trying to catch him out. I decided after last week’s show that I wasn’t going to watch again after having got annoyed at the ridiculous stick-you-to-your-chair act when it didn’t work for me or anyone I know.

I felt foolish for wasting my Friday evening sitting on my sofa waiting to see if I might get stuck to it if I sat there long enough.

That’s half an hour I can’t get back, ever.

Hundreds of years ago he would have been burned at the stake for the levels of witchcraft he performs.

But I know deep down that at 9pm tonight I’ll be flicking onto Channel 4 for Derren Brown: How To Beat A Casino (see above). I just can’t help it.