Mad Hatter: Q&A with magician Keith Barry

Who would be the last person you would invite to your birthday party?
Puff Daddy. I met him a few years ago and found him very rude.

Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?
My wife Mairead. She's a great wife and mother, but also knows how to let her hair down and have the craic.

Favourite saying?
Einstein's "Imagination is more important than knowledge."

Favourite record?
Joe Cleere's 'My Friend'. His voice is amazing. My prediction is he will be huge in 2020.

Favourite book?
Paranormality by Richard Wiseman. It's a book about why we believe in such things as ghosts and psychics. A fascinating read.

Favourite film?
Sixth Sense. I can still remember the moment the twist came and hit me up the side of the head like a sledgehammer.

Favourite author?
Richard Wiseman. His books are an easy read and he knows how to explain sometimes complicated psychology in a unique way.

Favourite actor/actress?
Morgan Freeman. Never fails to deliver

Favourite musician?
Freddie Mercury. His charisma and showmanship were off the charts.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
It was on stage in The Olympia in front of 1,200 people. I was trying to escape 100ft of rope and had a roll of cling film wrapped around my head. It all went horribly wrong and I passed out.

Favourite food/drink/stimulant?
BBQ Striploin steak with homegrown potatoes and carrots, Red Breast 12 yr old, and coffee.

TV programme?
Breaking Bad and Dexter were brilliant. I'm enjoying Dublin Murders on RTÉ at the moment.

Favourite TV personality?
Graham Norton. I'd love to go on his show as a guest sometime. Hint Hint!!

Favourite item of clothing?
My Powder Lite Colombia jacket: rainproof, light and warm. Perfect for Irish winters.

Most desirable date?
My wife Mairead. We don't go on enough dates!

Favourite method of relaxation?
Fishing. Any chance I get you'll find me in a river or on a beach relaxing trying to catch a fish.

If you weren't pursuing your present career, what other one might you have chosen?
Definitely a vet. I love animals and always wanted to be one.

Biggest thrill?
Performing on stage to packed theatres. It never gets old. I love every minute of it.

Biggest disappointment?
My only disappointment in life is that the guards didn't catch the criminals who broke into my Grandfather's house, beat him up, which led to his death.

Your concept of heaven?
I don't believe in heaven or hell. Heaven here is spending a sunny day on the beach with my family.

Your concept of hell?
Again I don't believe in hell. Hell here is stuck in traffic trying to get to the airport to catch a flight.

What would be your dying words?
Live every day like it's your last and have no regrets.

Greatest ambition?
To have my own TV series in the US again.

Period of history you'd most like to have lived in and why?
Now. Even with all the problems with climate change and war, I believe we are living in an amazing period and should enjoy every moment.

If you weren't a human being which animal would you have chosen to be?
An Owl Monkey as they sleep 17 hours a day. Great life!

If you were told that the world was ending tomorrow morning, how would you react/what would you do?
Gather friends and family around for a BBQ party!

Your nominee for the world's best-dressed person?
David Beckham - he seems to be able to make every outfit he wears look amazing.

Favourite term of abuse?
Shut the fuck up.

Biggest fear?
Dying before my kids grow up.

Humanity's most useful invention?
The internet. The whole World has benefited from it. Hard to believe it's only 30 years old.

Humanity's most useless invention?
Cigarettes. Responsible for an untold number of deaths, nothing good ever came from them.

Keith Barry's new show Insanity goes on tour all across Ireland starting December 27.