Ali Bongo

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Magician | Died in 2009

Accomplished magic performer who advised top acts

He inspired thousands and entertained millions as one of television's most recognisable magicians.

Ali Bongo, who died on 8 March, 2009, was a memorable act in his own right.

Yet his expertise led him to a burgeoning career off-screen, advising David Nixon and Paul Daniels and becoming the inspiration for drama series Jonathan Creek and later becoming in demand as a speaker and convention judge.

He became president of The Magic Circle in September 2008 and was lecturing in Paris when he fell ill with a stroke and died soon after. He was 79.

Ali Bongo was born in India as William Wallace in 1929 and started off in magic at six.

He went to Sutton Valents public school in Kent and by 17 was semi-professional, launching at children's birthday parties in Kent villages.

He was further immersed in the business through a job at magic dealer Harry Stanley's Unique Studios as a demonstrator and salesman.

And this all developed into his colourful act - complete with his distinctive curled shoes - as the 'Pongolian' Ali Bongo, the performance carried off at breakneck speed, packed with activity, music and gibberish to entertain the audience.

The name came from the character of a wizard he played in a local pantomime, which he borrowed for his stage act, little expecting to retain it for life.

His television career was launched in the 1960s and busiest in the 1970s - and in 1972 he was voted Magic Circle Magician of the Year.

Acting President of The Magic Circle, Jack Delvin, paid tribute, saying: "Ali made his name on television in his own right as The Shreik of Araby and also as Alistair, assistant to David Nixon and as principal advisor to the Paul Daniels Show. He was famous throughout the world of magic and indeed the world generally."

In later years, having given up the energy-sapping Ali Bongo character, he took up a full-time career of lecturing and judging at magic conventions both at home and around the world.

He was most at home mixing and "talking shop" with other magicians.

And despite the waning nature of the genre on modern day television, he said: "Magic is a great entertainment if done professionally and with style."

Your Memories

Will always remember this colourful and manic magician genius with the curly toed slippers, thick glasses and shiny hats who appeared on Zokko! and Outta Space! and many other programmes when I was little. Funny yet fascinating in equal measure! Thank you, and bless you wherever you are. paul dixon — 09.03.2009
He was a fantastic magician. Remember when he used to present Five Magic Minutes on ITV's Watch Out! kids section in the 1980's. Also remembered when he appeared once on The Sooty Show in the 1970's. He took a child out of the audience, took the middle out of a TV made from 2 cardboard boxes. The inside cardboard box had the Thames TV ident on it. He put the box on the child's head and then laughed "Ooh, look, you're in the Thames!!" He then put the box back inside the other and magiced out of the box over 50 treats for the child to take home. He always was manic and funny, will miss him very much. Even typing this tribute has put a smile on my face. Thank you Ali, you made magic fun. Martin Duhig — 09.03.2009
Working on the Paul Daniels show in the 1980’s I was once on the studio floor and became aware of an ordinary looking guy fiddling with the props. The rest of the crew were eating and we were the only people there. He smiled and said ‘hello’ and we talked.

He was engaging and articulate and spoke of his life in conjuring and how he’d helped Daniels over the years with advice and providing him tricks. After an hour or so the audience came in and the crew got ready and we parted. He introduced himself as Ali Bongo, and I realised I’d seen him many times before but usually in the garb he wore when in character.

He was as opposite to Bongo as you could imagine, and he knew those illusions and how they worked, backwards. I saw him a few times over the years before leaving the corporation and he was always there in the background, sadly unrecognised by the public who were more interested in Daniels. A pity.

I thought back today to that meeting and remembered it fondly. I’m saddened to see his death seems to have passed without comment, he deserves more. John Fernandez — 09.03.2009
Ali Bongo

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