A magician who disappeared after receiving £400 from a community center for a show he never performed has apologized for the incident. Dean Spruce, operating Divine Magic, approached Crossens Community Centre in Southport in April, offering to provide entertainment for their Summer Fair in June. The show was supposed to include magic acts, bubble shows, workshops, and amazement for families, all for a fee of £400, which also covered walkaround magic and balloons.
Fiona Townsend, vice chair of the community association, expressed excitement about the deal and decided to hire Spruce for the event. However, on the day of the fair, Spruce claimed his brother had passed away and he needed to return to Scotland, where he is believed to be from. Five months later, the association is still waiting for a full refund from Spruce, who has been promising repayment.
Reports indicate that Spruce has taken payments for shows in other locations as well. He has provided various excuses, such as car accidents, COVID-19, and hospitalization with broken ribs, to evade commitments. Despite claiming financial struggles, Spruce has acknowledged his poor handling of the situation and is working to reimburse those affected.
Fiona mentioned that Spruce refunded only £100 out of the £400 owed to the community center. She criticized his behavior, stating that he selectively attends events and double-books himself, causing distress to organizers nationwide. Spruce, in a statement, expressed regret over the situation and assured that refunds are in progress. He encouraged affected parties to contact him directly for resolution. The incident has not been reported to the police.