Illusionist Brown spooks bookmaker

TV trickster Derren Brown is expected to reveal a 100% system of winning at the races on TV tonight and the zany magician has some bookies running for cover.

TV trickster Derren Brown has some bookies running for cover as he is set to reveal what he claims is a 100% system of winning at the races on television tonight.

Irish bookmakers Paddy Power are taking no chances ahead of racing’s busiest festival and have banned the illusionist from all of their London shops in the run up to Cheltenham.

To remind punters of how serious they are about keeping him away, the bookie has erected signs on all of its shop front doors with a clear message to the South London phenomenon: "No Derren Allowed".

Paddy Power, the bookies' head of communications, said: "Our London punters have a good track record at winning as it is without the help of Derren Brown.

"If his 'system' really works then we could potentially get cleaned out. All of our shop staff will be on high alert over the next few weeks!"

Brown has previously shown a greyhound track punter how to get bookmakers to pay out on losing tickets using a system of verbal suggestion.