Magician to the stars Ali Bongo dies from a stroke, aged 79

Published on Sunday 8 March 2009 23:45

THE famous stage magician Ali Bongo has died of a stroke at the age of 79.

The performer, whose real name was William Wallace, died at St Thomas' Hospital in central London at 9am yesterday morning.

He was president of the Magic Circle and helped devise tricks for other magicians, including Paul Daniels.

Bongo was one of Britain's most popular stage magicians in the 1960s, but it was his work as an adviser to other magicians and television shows involving magic that he became most successful. He was for many years associated with the conjuror David Nixon, one of television's earliest celebrities.

He taught tricks to the actor Robert Lindsay when he appeared in the role of Fagin in the musical Oliver! at the London Palladium and worked on the popular children's television series, Ace of Wands.

Bongo was also the original inspiration for the character of Jonathan Creek, played by the actor Alan Davies, in the eponymous television drama series.

"Ali Bongo" was the stage name of William Oliver Wallace, but throughout his career he was rarely referred to by his real name.

Born in Bangalore, India, Bongo's parents were Scottish and Irish. He performed his first magic trick at the age of five, which he learnt from the children's page of The Times of India.

Acting president of The Magic Circle Jack Delvin said: "He was famous throughout the world of magic and the world generally."