Derren Brown

Derren: (On how he doesn't look for controversy) I just look for things that are going to be dramatic and watchable in a way that is going to be intelligent and sensitive. If you court controversy for its own sake, it just ends up being shallow and people can see through it.

Derren: (On debunking charlatans) I've always tried to include it gently, partly because what I'm doing appears to be quite close to all that, so there's a certain responsibility to make sure that people don't misunderstand it. But I always try and make that side of it a subtext, rather than bashing people over the head with it.

Derren: (On "coming out") Coming out when you are in the public eye is one of those things that isn't an issue to yourself, your friends or your family. But you have to make a statement about it. You have to be open and up front – or you end up turning it into a dark secret in your mind.

Derren: (Derren on people who doubt his "tricks") I think scepticism is a perfectly natural reaction to a lot of what I do, especially if it's seen on the television. But when you think about it, I can't be using actors or editing tricks. Because if I did, I'd have any number of people who could sell their stories to the newspapers and tell everyone that my tricks are all rubbish.

Derren: (On how he has no nerves) I'm not remotely superstitious about performing. And I don't get anxious. My natural response to anything emotionally demanding is to detach.

Derren: (On his show) Part of the unspoken philosophy behind the show is shaking up any kind of true believers. It's nice to bother the psychics by saying it's not psychic, and nice to bother the scientists who can't quite explain it either.

(Derren's thoughts on female magicians)
Derren: It always makes me uneasy when I see the way that...female magicians, the roles that they're forced to choose for themselves. There's something bizarrely misogynistic about magic anyway: The social side, but also the fact that you're mutilating women in boxes on stage. It's an odd profession for a woman. I remember, was it Mandy Farrell asked somebody about whether he knew any props that she could use as a female magician, if he was aware of anything in the dealers. He suggested to her without a trace of irony, maybe a Himber wallet with a cutout flower stuck on it.

(Derren on treating his audience with respect)
Derren Brown: But we do have this rule that if something doesn't work, if I mess up or something, we do keep it in so that the person at home isn't insulted.

(Derren on finding a partner)
Derren Brown: If it happens, it happens, you know. The more you go out and look for it, the worse you make it for yourself. One day someone will turn up - or they won't. But I'm sure one day they will.

(Derren on his early experiences with his skills)
Derren Brown: Getting free meals when the service has been awful, taking a bit of money home from casinos, blagging my way into shows and things.

(Derren talking about the kind of shows he makes)
Derren Brown: I want what I do to have some sort of edge to it, some drama. I certainly don't cause controversy for its own sake, but I'm also aware when I'm doing certain things, that I might upset some people. I think it's fine that that happens, it's a sign that I'm doing something right. Having said that, I hope that all the controversial things I've done also have an intelligence behind them, that's important.

Derren: Although on the one hand, none of what I do is psychic; equally, in the same breath, it is not hard science either.

Derren: Hi, I'm Derren Brown, star of Derren Brown: Mind Control, with Derren Brown.

Derren (To one of his show "victims"): I'm going to physically restrain you if that's alright, I'm sure it's nothing you're not used to.

Derren: Laugh at me at school, would they? Soon they will all pay. The fools! I'll teach them, I'll teach them to mock me. No, I'll teach them not to mock me. Yes.

Derren: (Talking about two of his TV shows) Seems "The Séance" has become the most complained-about show. It received 700 complaints. I might add that the prospect of me blowing my head off on live TV last year attracted only twenty. Fair enough, I suppose.

Derren: (Talking about football) I am so bad it would anger you.

Derren: This programme fuses magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship. I achieve all the results you'll see through a varied mixture of those techniques. At no point are actors or stooges used in the show.