Welshpool hits the bullseye for TV star

Welshpool has hit the bullseye, and is set to host its highest profile performer since festival headlining regular Paul Heaton played his memorable gig in the town over a decade ago.

As a pure stroke of luck, television and social media superstar magician Ben Hanlin will perform at the town’s The Bay Tree Tea Rooms next Wednesday evening, after throwing a dart at a map for the location of his next show, and it hit Welshpool!

“HELP!” the funny man posted to his millions of social media followers. “I threw a dart at a map of the UK and it landed on Welshpool!

“So that means, next Wednesday night, I’ll be doing a LIVE magic show in Welshpool…. Does anyone know of any venues or places I could book? Do any of you live close by and might want to come?”

Trudy Haycock from The Bay Tree Tea Rooms answered his call and following a telephone conversation, tickets went on sale and have been snapped up at a rapid pace.

“He’s a really nice guy,” a delighted Trudy told us. “It’s a great opportunity for the Bay Tree and Welshpool as a whole as it brings excellent exposure and gives us all a boost as we continue to recover from the impact of Covid.”

This morning, Ben told us he is “looking forward to it” as the town is set to benefit from exposure through his TikTok, Facebook and Instagram accounts which have two million followers.

Ben has been in the entertainment business for 20 years and has been seen on TV shows all over the world such as The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Celebrity Juice and as a contestant on ITV’s Dancing on Ice (semi-finalist).

He first appeared on our screens as the star of his own ITV2 show, Tricked, which saw him pulling magic pranks on celebrities and members of the public.

Back in June 2012, former Housemartins and Beautiful South singer Heaton toured the UK on his bike to mark his 50^thbirthday, supporting local venues at each stop along the way.

He ended up playing a remarkable two-hour set with his full band at The Royal Oak after cycling 67 miles from Porthmadog to Welshpool earlier in the day.

He has continued to headline musical festivals and to sell out arenas across the UK since.

And now Welshpool is set to host another memorable evening.