Exclusive: Magician Jake Banfield on his BGT experience and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch show in September

By Jordan Curry – Trainee Journalist

Jordan is an aspiring journalist with an NCTJ Level 3 qualification, supported by Ability Today, who is passionate about reporting on community stories, features, and crime.

A magician raised in Hornchurch looked back on his time competing in the 2026 series of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) during an exclusive interview with The Havering Daily.

Jake Banfield, 37 also previewed a forthcoming show at Hornchurch’s Queen’s Theatre.

Jake reached the BGT semi-finals and placed third in his heat on Saturday 23 May. Eventual winner Hawkstone Farmer’s Choir and runner up Celestial (a drone group) progressed to the final through public vote and judge’s Golden Buzzer respectively.

Discussing the show, Jake said: “It was one of the best experiences of performing magic I’ve ever had, exhilarating and nerve-wracking all in the same experience”. Jake added that he was “gutted” not to reach the final but felt pleased with how he performed.

Jake’s BGT stint meant he has learnt what magic tricks and ideas suit TV cameras best and Jake aims to utilise that knowledge in future.

Jake said the public support across Havering and Essex “meant a lot”.

Asked what prompted his interest in magic, Jake said the skill was: “Something I fell in love with and the kick you get out of doing something amazing for your friends”.

Jake shouted out a magic shop in Upminster near where he grew up as a teenager and International Magic in the City Of London, which Jake described as being “welcoming and helpful”.

“Magic has always been a constant and I’m lucky to be able to do it for a living”, Jake added.

Jake takes inspiration from everywhere, but the late Paul Daniels, Derren Brown and America’s David Blaine are among magicians who inspired Jake most.

Jake was proud to achieve two never on TV before moments during his BGT stint. Stopwatches matching and pulling a photo out of a phone featured in his semi-final performance. Jake praised BGT lead camera operator Al for guiding him where was best to stand and the digital content team who edited a YouTube short featuring the photo trick.

Jake feels his “secret superpower” of building rapport with audiences and to “be you” ensures those watching relax and helps to facilitate successful performances.

Jake’s daughter, aged three watched her father’s BGT audition and it was also the first time she had ever visited a theatre. Jake believes his daughter’s on-stage appearance in the BGT performances is something she will appreciate even more in years to come.

During Jake’s ‘Hometown Magic’ show at Hornchurch’s Queen’s Theatre, his daughter will feature on video in a trick inspired by Jake’s BGT experience.

“Everyone knows that theatre it’s like its own little institution in Hornchurch and the opportunity to perform there is very special”, Jake said. “I want my show to feel like a homecoming, a big party for every local person that comes to the theatre that night and remember things they did growing up that get woven in”, Jake concluded.

To book tickets for ‘Hometown Magic’ at Hornchurch’s Queen’s Theatre from 7:30pm on Wednesday 2 September and be part of the largest crowd Jake has performed to aside from BGT, visit: https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whatson/hometown-magic/ or call their Box Office on 01708 443333.

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